The White House repeatedly called the execution of an Alabama inmate by nitrogen gas “troubling” Friday afternoon.

Kenneth Smith, a death row inmate convicted of a 1988 murder for hire, originally survived an attempt to execute him in 2022 by lethal injection. He became the first known inmate executed by nitrogen gas Thursday night.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about the execution, given President Joe Biden‘s opposition to the death penalty, but she did not offer many details regarding his views on this specific case.

“Reports of Kenneth Smith and his death last night, obviously, is troubling,” she responded. “It is very troubling to us as an administration and to us especially here at the White House.”

“It underscores why the president supports the attorney general’s moratorium on federal death penalty, pending review of its policies and procedures governing its use,” Jean-Pierre continued. “The president has long — has said and has had deep, deep, deep concerns with how the death penalty is implemented and whether it is consistent, consistent with our values. So, we are deeply troubled by it.”

Smith in a lengthy statement prior to his execution at 8:25 p.m. local time claimed the use of nitrogen gas marked a step backward for humankind, according to witnesses.

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“Tonight Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward,” he claimed. “I’m leaving with love, peace and light, thank you for supporting me, love all of you.”

You can watch Friday’s briefing in full below.