This was an unexpected bit of news today. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has announced he registered as an Independent, citing 'partisan extremism' and 'broken' national politics.

JUST IN: @Sen_JoeManchin registers as an independent. pic.twitter.com/Fvmty9OBhu

— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) May 31, 2024

And here's the post from Manchin himself:

My commitment to do everything I can to bring our country together has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation. pic.twitter.com/tvMB2N87AW

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) May 31, 2024

Some people are very not-happy with this decision:

Nobody buys your crap anymore.

— Tiffany (@TuffTiffResists) May 31, 2024

So not happy.

Bye Felicia…and I suppose you will be voting for the felon.

— Margo Lyons❤️🇺🇸Vote🤍🇺🇸Vote💙🇺🇸Vote!!!! (@LyonsMargo) May 31, 2024

Really, really, unhappy.

top 10 greatest bozo moments

— Socialists For Pritzker (@PritzkerForPrez) May 31, 2024

Bozo? Why?

Dumbass.

— Jersey Craig (@Jersey_Craig) May 31, 2024

Great argument.

RESIGN

— Benjamin Gilbert-Lif (@benjmakesmovies) May 31, 2024

You mad, bro?

Others praised the decision:

Congratulations on making the right decision to leave the Democrat party. It may be too soon to ask but please vote for Donald Trump in the election.

— Sharemymind (@Hope_for_USA) May 31, 2024

Too soon.

Good for you. Welcome to my world

— Crina (@IanasCrina) May 31, 2024

Recommended

Advertisement

Lots of independents out there, really.

Walking away from Democrats is the best thing you can ever do for yourself.

— Evan Kilgore 🇺🇸 (@EvanAKilgore) May 31, 2024

Truth.

Welcome to the club, sir! @Sen_JoeManchin https://t.co/9U3ur0gq62

— Pradheep J. Shanker, M.D. (@neoavatara) May 31, 2024

Welcome!

The US Senate now has 4 independent senators — Manchin, Sinema, Sanders, King. All caucus with Democrats.

That’s the highest number of non-major party senators since 1941.

In January, that number will drop to 2 again. https://t.co/EDcG696NOU pic.twitter.com/BPQ4se86Ig

— bryan metzger (@metzgov) May 31, 2024

The highest in 73 years.

NEW @scrippsnews: A spokesperson for Sen. Manchin confirms to me that "nothing will change with caucusing with the Democrats," meaning Sen. Manchin will join the ranks of Sen. Bernie Sanders & Sen. Angus King (registered Independents who caucus with Democrats) https://t.co/XjCCeYWwb2

— Nathaniel Reed (@ReedReports) May 31, 2024

So have things changed? Not really, alas.