U.S. Military Schedules Execution of Fort Hood Shooter Nidal Hasan
Based on 2 sources
President Donald Trump has approved the execution of former Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others during a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. The execution, scheduled for December 3, is set to be carried out by firing squad, marking the first military execution in the United States since 1961. Pentagon officials initially announced plans to livestream the event, though President Trump later indicated he would make a final decision on the broadcast following bipartisan criticism.
The announcement has prompted varied responses from Christian leaders. Franklin Graham questioned the reaction of media outlets that criticize the execution while consuming violent entertainment, asking if society has become desensitized to death. Pastor Robert Jeffress expressed support for the public nature of the execution, citing Genesis 9:6 as a biblical basis for capital punishment. Conversely, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops condemned the plan, with Archbishop Paul S. Coakley describing it as a promotion of a “culture of death” and citing Romans 12:17 as a call to avoid returning evil for evil.