Washington: The US military plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in Texas in 2009, Pentagon officials said on October 8.

The Army has scheduled the execution for December 3 at Fort Hood. A public online broadcast would be unprecedented in the US.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the public should be able to watch the execution to understand the consequences of serious crimes. Pentagon officials subsequently confirmed plans for a livestream, saying further details would follow.

Hasan was convicted in a 2013 court martial over the shooting, which also injured 32 people, and sentenced to death. President Donald Trump approved the execution earlier this week. If carried out, it would be the first US military execution since 1961 and the first military firing squad execution since 1945.

The announcement has drawn differing assessments from legal experts. Fordham University law professor Deborah Denno said broadcasting could increase transparency and public understanding of capital punishment.

Military law specialist Eugene Fidell said Hasan could seek review in a civilian court, potentially delaying the execution.

The Pentagon has not yet detailed the platform or viewing arrangements for the planned broadcast.