The President has sole authority to approve the sentence of death for a military prisoner. On Oct. 2, 2026, President Donald J. Trump approved the death sentence in this case.
Source: U.S. Army
Photo: Military execution of James Griffin, alias John Thomas Barnett, a Private of the 11th Pa. Cavalry, for desertion and highway robbery, at Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 17th, 1863 (Courtesy Library of Congress)
WASHINGTON – On Oct. 6, 2026, the Acting Secretary of the Army Hon. Adam Telle directed the execution of Nidal Hasan by firing squad. The execution will take place at Fort Hood, Texas at 1 p.m. CST on Dec. 3, 2026.
The President has sole authority to approve the sentence of death for a military prisoner. On Oct. 2, 2026, President Donald J. Trump approved the death sentence in this case. The President acted following completion of a full appellate process which upheld the conviction and sentence to death.
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In accordance with Army Regulation 190-55, the Secretary of the Army must select an execution date that falls within 60 to 150 days from the date the President approved the death sentence.
The court-martial jury found Hasan guilty of all 42 counts on Aug. 23, 2013, and then five days later set his punishment at death.
On March 31, 2025, the Supreme Court denied his request for review of his court-martial conviction. Army Regulation 190-55 governs the procedures for military executions. In accordance with that regulation, upon final judgment as to the legality of the court-martial proceedings, The Judge Advocate General (TJAG) transmits various documents, including the record of trial, any clemency petitions by the prisoner and/or counsel, and TJAG’s recommendation, to the Secretary of the Army. The Secretary of Army makes a recommendation, then forwards the packet to the Secretary of War for additional recommendation to the President.
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