Chelsea Manning unapologetic, but accepts responsibility in 1st TV interview

Chelsea Manning believed she had a "responsibility to the public" and didn't think she was risking national security when she leaked a trove of classified documents, the soldier said in an excerpt from her first interview since being released from a military prison last month.

The 29-year-old formerly known as Bradley Manning said in a pre-taped interview broadcast Friday aired on ABC's Good Morning America that she was prompted to give the 700,000 military and State Department documents to WikiLeaks because of the human toll of the "death, destruction and mayhem" she saw as an Army intelligence analyst in Iraq. She told ABC that she has "accepted responsibility" for her actions.

"No one told me to do this. No one directed me to do this. This is me. It's on me," she said.

• TIMELINE l Manning's controversial journey to freedom

Manning was released from a military prison in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., on May 17 after serving seven years of a 35-year sentence, which was commuted by former President Barack Obama in his final days in office. Obama said in January he felt justice had been served. She hasn't spoken to Obama since her release, but emotionally thanked him in the interview for giving her "another chance."

Manning also touched on her struggles dealing with her gender transition while in prison. She says she tried to kill herself twice behind bars and fought for the hormone treatments she says keep her alive.

Manning remains in the Army, but is off duty while she appeals her court-martial conviction.

ABC said the full interview is scheduled to air next week on Nightline.

Correspondent Juju Chang, who conducted the interview, said on Good Morning America that Manning plans to take her time before deciding on the next chapter in her life.