US President Donald Trump has said he will "make a decision" on the controversial plan to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former army major behind the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting.
The Pentagon unveiled plans earlier this week to broadcast the execution, which would follow Hasan's conviction for killing 13 unarmed soldiers and wounding 32 others in the attack.
President weighs two options
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump said he had "absolutely" approved the livestream announcement. However, after a wave of backlash, including from fellow Republicans, he suggested today that he was yet to make a final decision on whether it would go ahead.
"There are two thoughts: don't show it and show it. Cause you know, by showing it, maybe other people won't be doing what he did. So I'll make a decision ultimately. I know what the military would like to do, but I'll make a decision," the president told reporters.
Trump described Hasan as a "vicious killer - killed 13 people in cold blood, wounded over 20. Some of those people will never have their lives back in a true sense."
Vice president declines to watch
Vice President JD Vance said he was not sure if the livestream was "actually going to happen" and added that he would not be watching if it did.
"Whatever the controversy is about the method of the execution, I hope that people don't forget that this is a guy who brutally murdered a lot of innocent people," Vance said. "Now, that said, I mean, look, if it's ultimately livestreamed, I'm not going to be watching it."
