Trump Approves Firing Squad Execution for Palestinian-American Officer in Fort Hood Massacre

U.S. President Donald Trump approved the execution of former army officer Nidal Malik Hasan, who carried out the 2009 Fort Hood massacre, by firing squad. The decision followed a recommendation from Secretary of War the Secretary of War, as announced by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. "Secretary of War the Secretary of War recommended and President Donald J. Trump approved a death sentence by U.S. Army firing squad for the convicted terrorist Nidal Malik Hasan, the jihadist who opened fire on unarmed American soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009," Parnell stated. Parnell emphasized that Hasan "murdered 13 people and wounded 32 others while shouting 'Allahu Akbar' during the attack," adding, "His day of reckoning has finally come."

Hasan, born in Virginia to parents who had immigrated from near Ramallah, served as a medical officer in the U.S. Army at the time of the deadly attack on the large military base in Texas. On November 5, 2009, Hasan entered a reception center filled with unarmed soldiers, shouted "Allahu Akbar," and opened fire. Hasan himself stated during his trial that "I shot to kill" and denied suffering from psychotic or depressive symptoms at the time. He was tried in a military court, convicted, and sentenced to death.

This marks a historic and unprecedented event, as it will be the first time since 1961 that a U.S. president has authorized a military execution. The last person executed under military law was Private John Bennett, who was hanged in April 1961. While former President George W. Bush had authorized another military execution, it was blocked in federal court. With the Supreme Court having rejected Hasan's final appeal regarding the legal proceedings, the Secretary of the Army will now determine the exact date and location for his execution by firing squad.