Outgoing West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin expressed strong disapproval on Thursday over President Joe Biden's decision to commute the death sentences of two men convicted in the brutal 2002 murder of Samantha Burns, a 19-year-old student at Marshall University. The two men, Brandon Basham and Chadrick Fulks, had been sentenced to death for their roles in Burns' killing. On Monday, as part of a larger commutation effort, Biden reclassified their sentences from execution to life in prison without the possibility of parole, along with 35 other inmates on federal death row.
Speaker Mike Johnson's position is facing increasing scrutiny after a controversial handling of the government funding bill last week, which has left his future as Speaker uncertain. Several House Republicans, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration with Johnson’s leadership, saying his mishandling of the continuing resolution (CR) has severely shaken the confidence of his colleagues.
In a controversial decision just before Christmas, President Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 of the 40 men on federal death row, once again prioritizing convicted murderers over their victims. Among those granted mercy was Brandon Council, convicted of the brutal double murder of Donna Major and Katie Skeen during a robbery in 2017.
President-elect Donald Trump declared he would "vigorously pursue" the death penalty in January.
“As soon as I am inaugurated, I will direct the Justice Department...
