Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inPhil StewartFriday 16 October 2026 16:04 BSTRepublican strategists said it was too soon to say whether Trump's decision to overrule Hegseth would affect their relationship (Getty)President Donald Trump overruled US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plan to broadcast the upcoming military firing-squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan this week, calling off what would have been an unprecedented public livestream.A White House official said that Trump was initially unaware of Hegseth's proposal, which drew widespread condemnation from lawmakers, religious leaders, and international observers who argued broadcasting an execution was un-American.The Pentagon downplayed suggestions of a rift between leadership, asserting that Trump and Hegseth spoke prior to the announcement on Truth Social and that Hegseth fully supports the decision to cancel the stream.Though Hegseth argued the broadcast would act as a public deterrent against terrorism, Trump concluded that many people would prefer not to watch an execution, confirming Hasan will still be executed by firing squad as scheduled.The public disagreement comes amid broader congressional pushback against Hegseth, including impeachment articles introduced over his Iran policy and concerns from lawmakers regarding his qualifications and plans to reshape Pentagon leadership.In fullPentagon downplays first major public split between Trump and HegsethMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in