Trump approves execution of soldier, which will be the first since 1961

US President Donald Trump has approved the execution of Major Nidal Hasan, convicted for the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood base. This will be the first execution of a service member by a US military tribunal since 1961.

US President Donald Trump has approved the execution of 56-year-old Major Nidal Hasan, convicted by a military tribunal for the mass shooting at Fort Hood base in Texas on November 5, 2009. The attack killed 13 people and wounded 32. Hasan, a military psychiatrist, stated in court that he acted in defense of the "leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Taliban movement." In 2013, the tribunal sentenced him to the maximum penalty. Under US law, an execution by military tribunal requires personal approval from the president. In September 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requested this from Trump. Hasan is to be executed by firing squad. He will be the first service member executed by a US tribunal since 1961, when Private John Bennett was hanged. There are currently four people on death row in US military tribunals. The exact date of execution has not yet been set.