Trump Approved Firing Squad for Nidal Malik Hasan

The President authorized the execution of the man convicted in the 2009 Ft. Hood terror attack.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Terrorism

Trump Approved Firing Squad for Nidal Malik Hasan

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President Donald Trump has approved the use of a firing squad to execute Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted for the 2009 mass shooting at Ft. Hood. The 2009 attack resulted in 13 deaths and 32 injuries.

Why it matters

The decision marks a rare application of the firing squad method for a federal execution. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided the recommendation to the President for the approved method.

Hasan was convicted during a 2013 trial where he represented himself and admitted to being the shooter. The Secretary of the Army is tasked with determining the time and location for the execution.

The players

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.

Nidal Malik Hasan

Nidal Malik Hasan is a former U.S. Army officer convicted of the 2009 mass shooting at Ft. Hood.

Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth serves as the United States Secretary of Defense.

Brad Sigmon

Brad Sigmon was a prisoner executed by firing squad in 2025.

The details

Nidal Malik Hasan admitted to the 2009 shooting during his opening statement at his 2013 trial. The Pentagon announced that the President authorized the firing squad method following a recommendation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

1608: Civilian executions by shooting began in the U.S.
2009: Hasan conducted the attack at Ft. Hood.
2013: Hasan stood trial for the Ft. Hood attack.
2025: Brad Sigmon was executed by firing squad.
October 5, 2026: The Pentagon announced the approval of the execution.

Legal Context

The authorization of a firing squad follows the recent precedent set by the 2025 execution of Brad Sigmon. While shooting has been a method of execution in the U.S. since 1608, it remains a rare practice in the modern federal penal system.

The execution process remains a matter of federal procedure and does not currently necessitate changes to local security measures or public safety advisories. The Secretary of the Army will finalize the logistics for the execution.

The takeaway

The use of firing squads for executions remains a highly specific and infrequent legal procedure in the United States. Future updates regarding the case will depend on the administrative timeline set by the Department of the Army.