Henry McMaster has recently been in the news due to South Carolina's preparations for a controversial execution by firing squad, a method not used in the U.S. for nearly 15 years. This decision has reignited debates over capital punishment in the state, particularly as officials grapple with challenges in obtaining lethal injection drugs. McMaster's administration has been at the forefront of these discussions, reflecting broader national conversations about the methods and ethics of executing inmates.
Born on May 27, 1947, in Columbia, South Carolina, Henry McMaster is a seasoned politician and attorney affiliated with the Republican Party. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and began his political career in the 1980s. McMaster served as the state's Attorney General from 2003 to 2011 and was the lieutenant governor before ascending to the governorship in January 2017. His tenure has focused on economic development, education reform, and public safety, including the contentious issues surrounding capital punishment.
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A group of wealthy individuals has urged Congress to reject President Trump's proposed tax cuts, arguing they favor the rich over those in need. Meanwhile, South Carolina and Georgia are advancing their own tax reduction plans, aiming to lower income tax rates significantly by 2026.
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The Supreme Court is deliberating a case from South Carolina that could restrict Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, impacting access to essential health services for low-income patients. The case raises questions about whether Medicaid patients can sue for the right to choose their healthcare providers, amid ongoing debates over abortion rights and funding for reproductive health care providers.
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On April 11, 2025, Mikal Mahdi was executed by firing squad in South Carolina for the 2004 ambush killing of officer James Myers. This marks the second execution by firing squad in the state since it resumed executions after a 13-year hiatus. Mahdi's final appeals were rejected, and clemency was denied.
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James Robertson's request to fire his attorneys has been delayed by a federal judge, allowing time for a new lawyer to assess his mental competency. This comes amid scrutiny over South Carolina's execution methods, particularly following Mikal Mahdi's botched firing squad execution, which raised serious ethical concerns about the state's capital punishment practices.
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U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has issued a preliminary injunction against Florida's restrictive social media law aimed at minors, deeming it likely unconstitutional. The law, which prohibits children under 14 from having accounts and requires parental consent for those aged 14-15, faced legal challenges from tech industry groups. The ruling allows some provisions to remain in effect while litigation continues.
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Stephen Stanko, sentenced to death for murdering his friend and committing horrific acts against his girlfriend and her daughter, is set to be executed by lethal injection today at 6 p.m. in South Carolina. His lawyers are pursuing last-minute appeals citing concerns over execution methods.