Trump approves execution of soldier for mass killings at Fort Hood

Presidential approval for sentence execution

The Pentagon officially announced the decision regarding the execution of former US Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan. The sentence will be carried out by firing squad. This was reported by official sources in the defence department.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell detailed the approval process. According to him, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth provided the relevant recommendation, which was approved by President Donald Trump. The Secretary of the Army must now determine the specific date and location of the execution.

This decision will set a precedent: since the end of the Second World War, no military personnel have been executed by firing squad in the US.

Details of the tragedy at Fort Hood

Nidal Malik Hasan, who worked as an army psychiatrist in Virginia, carried out a shooting at a military base in Texas on 5 November 2009. During the attack, 13 unarmed service members were killed, and another 32 were injured.

This incident became the largest act of violence on US military territory not related to combat operations. The tragedy occurred in a medical corps building, where personnel preparing for deployment were waiting for medical examinations and vaccinations.

Motives and court proceedings

During the trial in 2013, Hasan admitted that he was the one who opened fire. He apologised for "any mistakes". However, during the military court proceedings, the defendant stated that he committed the act because he was convinced he was protecting Muslims and the Taliban movement in Afghanistan.

Under current military legislation, presidential approval is mandatory for the execution of a death sentence. In addition, the procedure involves the review of appeals and the making of a final decision on the legality of the sentence.

At present, Hasan remains one of four inmates who have been sentenced to death in the US military justice system.