Trump debates calling off livestream of firing squad execution after learning Fort Hood shooter was paralyzed

President Donald Trump is wavering over whether the public should be allowed to watch the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, CNN · CBS News reports, citing two sources familiar with the talks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the livestream plan last week, apparently without Trump's knowledge, and the president has since canvassed advisers and allies on what to do. Those conversations are when Trump reportedly learned that Hasan is paralyzed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair, which made a public broadcast less appealing to him. One source said Trump's feel for visuals could push him to drop the idea, and an adviser said he has heard warnings that the footage could help foreign adversaries and terrorists portray Hasan as a martyr.

Trump remains firmly behind using a firing squad. Over the weekend he told reporters he sees merit on both sides, noting that showing it might discourage others, and that he will decide himself. The Pentagon is also rethinking its approach; a source said any broadcast would probably end before shots are fired. The plan has drawn criticism from both parties.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN · CBS News’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN · CBS News →