Trump Expresses Disbelief Over Botched Execution of Christa Pike

President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed surprise and disbelief regarding the botched execution of Christa Pike, a death row inmate in Tennessee, stating that such an event "should be easy to do."

Pike, 50, was scheduled to be executed for the 1995 bludgeoning death of a fellow inmate, Colleen Slemmer, whom she killed when both were teenagers. Pike was convicted of the murder and dismemberment of Slemmer. She was slated to be the first woman executed by the state of Tennessee in approximately 200 years.

Reports indicate that Pike survived two rounds of lethal injection, marking her as the first person in history to survive execution by this method. Trump, speaking to reporters while traveling, described the situation as "interesting" but stated that decisions on any future steps would rest with the state of Tennessee.

"That was an interesting situation, but you’re going to have to speak to Tennessee about it. Whether or not they’re going to go forward," Trump said. He further questioned the circumstances of the failed execution, adding, "How does that happen? It shouldn’t be very difficult."