President Donald Trump has ordered the execution of Nidal Hasan, a former U.S. Army psychiatrist. Hasan, who killed 13 soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009, will face execution by firing squad. This decision follows a suggestion by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, which the president approved, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.

Trends in Execution Methods

Execution by firing squad, along with electrocution and gas asphyxiation, was reintroduced by the Trump administration amid concerns over lethal injections. Although historically less common, the use of firing squads is gaining traction.

Firing Squad Execution Overview

The firing squad is one of the five methods historically used for executions in the U.S., including lethal injection, electrocution, gas, and hanging. Since capital punishment resumed in 1977, firing squads have been used sparingly.

Legal Framework and State Policies

The difference between military and state executions lies in legal procedures. Military executions require appellate review and presidential approval. State executions are subject to state laws, with 27 states still permitting capital punishment.

Five states—Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah—allow execution by firing squad. Inmates sometimes can choose their method of execution. Idaho will use firing squads as its primary method from July 1, 2026.

Firing Squad Procedure

In firing squad executions, volunteers from corrections or law enforcement shoot at the condemned inmate’s heart. The anonymity of the shooters prevents knowledge of who fired the fatal shot.

Examples from South Carolina detail a setup where the inmate is restrained and shot from 15 feet away using specially designed bullets.

Recent Executions by Firing Squad

Recent executions in South Carolina include Brad Keith Sigmon, Mikal Mahdi, and Stephen Corey Bryant. These executions, the first by firing squad in South Carolina, follow state laws allowing inmates to choose between firing squad, electric chair, or lethal injection.

Set Timeline for Hasan’s Execution

Hasan, now deemed a lone-actor terrorist, opened fire at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009, killing 13 soldiers. The Secretary of the Army will determine the timing and location of Hasan’s execution.

Pentagon spokesperson Parnell announced, “Judgement day for Hasan has finally come.” Three other inmates remain on the U.S. military’s death row alongside Hasan.