Pennsylvania Democrats are openly calling for Sen. John Fetterman to be voted out of office after a Wall Street Journal report detailed instances in which he allegedly skipped constituent meetings, avoided a funeral for slain police officers, and prioritized cable news appearances over core Senate duties.
The report, based on leaked text messages between Fetterman and his staff, described a pattern of reluctance to meet with Pennsylvania constituents, including representatives from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) who wanted to discuss Medicaid cuts. When an aide told Fetterman that CHOP officials were concerned about “vaccines and Medicaid cuts,” he responded, “Well, I’m not. I’m convinced they just want free trips to D.C.”
The texts also revealed that Fetterman balked at attending a funeral for three police officers killed in Pennsylvania last year after being told the service would last three hours and required a dress code. “This may be a nonstarter,” he wrote.
Fellow Pennsylvania Democrats React
Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., posted sharply worded criticism on X, writing that the report shows “laziness, disrespect, and willingness to carry water for a foreign government.”
“This man has no sense of duty. He is not up for the high office he was elected to — and we in Pennsylvania will do something about it in 2028,” Deluzio wrote.
Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., was similarly blunt.
“John Fetterman is a disgrace. Our state deserves better than a lazy trust fund baby who is too lazy to do the job,” Boyle wrote on X.
Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who serves as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, said the report confirmed longstanding concerns among Pennsylvania Democrats.
“This report is horrifying, but not new to many of us in PA. John barely showed up as Lieutenant Governor and is constantly MIA as our senator,” Kenyatta wrote. “When he’s not on FOX cheerleading Trump and endless wars, he is attacking the very neighbors who gave him a chance. 2028 can’t come soon enough.”
A Shifting Political Identity
Fetterman was elected in 2022 after defeating Dr. Mehmet Oz, running on a progressive platform that included universal healthcare, pro-labor policy and higher taxes on wealthy Americans. He had earlier backed Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in presidential primaries.
Since taking office, Fetterman’s voting record has moved toward the center. During last year’s government shutdown fight, he broke with Democrats who were pushing to renew expiring Obamacare tax credits. He has also become one of the Senate’s most outspoken defenders of Israel and has voted to confirm several of President Trump’s nominees, including Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, though he voted against confirming his former rival Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Fetterman did not respond to a request for comment on the report.
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