Trump says botched execution 'shouldn't be very difficult' to fix
Tennessee inmate Christa Pike survived two doses of lethal injection on Wednesday; Trump said carrying out executions should be simpler.
Convicted killer Christa Gail Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital during a lethal injection on Wednesday in Tennessee. Witnesses said she complained of burning in her arm, fell asleep and snored loudly.
Pike's legal team filed an emergency motion to stop further doses. Pike is alive but in critical condition in hospital.
When asked about the failed execution on Thursday, Trump told a Texas crowd: 'It should be easy to do. It shouldn't be very difficult.'
Trump said his counterpart, a doctor, would be more familiar with the question given his background. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called the failed execution 'a tragedy' and said the state will pause executions for the rest of 2026.
- 18 years old
- Convict's age at crime
- 31 years ago
- Time since crime
- Two doses of pentobarbital
- Doses attempted
- 50 years old
- Current age
Why it mattersThe botched execution raises questions about capital punishment methods in the US, with a sitting president weighing in on its technical execution.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect, but highlights ongoing debate about capital punishment that contrasts with Australia's abolition of the death penalty in 1985.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au·7news.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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