The Department of War is poised to seek President Donald Trump's final approval for the execution of Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, as exclusively revealed by a Department of War official to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
This potential execution would mark a significant moment in military history, being the first since 1961.
As reported by the Daily Caller, Hasan, a former Army Major and psychiatrist, carried out a brutal attack in 2009 at the Fort Hood Army base, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuries to 32 others. His actions have been widely condemned as an act of radical Islamic terrorism.
Pete Hegseth, in an exclusive statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation, expressed his unwavering commitment to ensuring that Hasan faces the ultimate penalty. "I am 100 percent committed to ensuring the death penalty is carried out for Nidal Hasan," Hegseth stated.
"This savage terrorist deserves the harshest lawful punishment for his 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood. The victims and survivors deserve justice without delays."
Currently, Hasan is incarcerated at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His last appeal against the 2013 death sentence was rejected in April 2025, as reported by the San Antonio Express.
The Army's procedures dictate that the recommendation for Hasan's execution will be forwarded by the Army staff, then reviewed by the Army secretary, and subsequently by the Secretary of War, who will provide an "additional recommendation to the President," according to the Department of War official. "Inmate Hasans packet is now in the staffing process for presidential action," the official confirmed.
Service members, such as Hasan, fall under the jurisdiction of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which subjects them to distinct legal procedures in capital cases. Hasan is one of four individuals currently on military death row, as noted by the Death Penalty Information Center.
In a controversial decision, the Army opted not to pursue terrorism charges against Hasan, despite his admission to a military mental health panel that the attack was justified because the victims were "going against the Islamic Empire," as reported by the New York Times in 2014. Instead, the Pentagon classified the incident as "workplace violence."
The Trump administration has consistently advocated for the use of capital punishment in cases involving particularly egregious crimes, reflecting a broader commitment to law and order. The White House has yet to provide a response to the Daily Caller News Foundation's request for comment on this matter.
The process of securing presidential approval for Hasan's execution underscores the complexities of military justice and the broader implications of capital punishment within the armed forces. As the nation awaits President Trump's decision, the case continues to evoke strong emotions and debate over justice, accountability, and the appropriate response to acts of terrorism.
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