After a scathing report that called into question Sen. John Fetterman’s willingness to do the basic duties of a senator, some of his Democratic colleagues in Pennsylvania are eyeing ways to dislodge him from the upper chamber.
An explosive report from The Wall Street Journal painted Fetterman as a politician more interested in appearing on Fox News to discuss Israel than meeting with paralyzed veterans from his state, and blowing off a funeral for slain police officers because it would have taken too long.
And members of his own delegation are furious.
"There is a lot I could say about this report of John Fetterman’s pathetic behavior as a senator," Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., said on X. "But between the laziness, disrespect, and willingness to carry water for a foreign government, it shows us something we already know: 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," he continued.
Behind the scenes, The Wall Street Journal’s report revealed through leaked text messages between Fetterman and his aides that the lawmaker was unwilling to do some of the core functions of the job, like meeting with constituents.
"John Fetterman is a disgrace," Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., said on X. "Our state deserves better than a lazy trust fund baby who is too lazy to do the job."
In one instance, Fetterman was told by an aide that representatives of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) wanted to meet over concerns about Medicaid cuts. Fetterman asked why he had to keep meeting with CHOP, and the aide noted that they were worried about "vaccines and Medicaid cuts."
"Well, I’m not," Fetterman responded. "I’m convinced they just want free trips to D.C."
Another instance came when an aide told Fetterman that there would be a dress code at a funeral for three police officers killed in Pennsylvania last year, and that the service was expected to last for three hours.
"This may be a nonstarter," Fetterman wrote.
Years before his time in the Senate, Fetterman rose to prominence as a progressive who appeared to emulate the formula laid out by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who he backed early on in his runs for the White House.
When Fetterman won his seat in 2022 against Dr. Mehmet Oz, who now runs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Fetterman ran on a platform of universal healthcare, pro-labor policies and higher tax rates on wealthy Americans — key hallmarks of progressive politics.
Since ascending to the Senate, however, his voting record has shown a more moderate flair, and questions are swirling over whether he will jump ship and join the GOP. He’s bucked his party on several occasions since taking office, too.
During the government shutdown fight last year, he joined Republicans as Democrats stayed unified in their push to renew lapsing Obamacare tax credits, has become one of the most vocal proponents of Israel, and helped to confirm some of President Donald Trump’s nominees, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin — notably, he voted against his old political rival Oz.
The desire to boot Fetterman extends beyond just his colleagues in the Pennsylvania congressional delegation.
Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who is the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, has his sights set on Fetterman, too.
"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 said on X.
"When he’s not on FOX cheerleading Trump & endless wars, he is attacking the very neighbors who gave him a chance," he continued. "2028 can’t come soon enough."
Fetterman did not respond to a request for comment.
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Former staffers for John Fetterman launched an X account promising damaging revelations well beyond the Wall Street Journal report.
In just over a week, former staffers for John Fetterman, D-Pa., are planning to go public with inside details after expressing what they called disgust at his work as a legislator.
"We’re a group of former campaign & Senate staffers for John Fetterman who are disgusted with what he's become. If you were troubled by yesterday's Wall Street Journal story... trust us, that's just the tip of the iceberg," the group wrote in a post to X.
"It’s even worse than you thought."
The new social media account, which is calling itself "Former Fetterman Staffers" (FFS) alleges it will reveal additional unflattering details of the embattled senator’s office as he also faces blowback over Wall Street Journal reporting chronicling his reluctance to engage in the basic duties of his office.
The FFS acronym notoriously also stands for "for f---s sake."
Fetterman routinely blew off constituent meetings, neglected legislative review and declined to make in-state public appearances, according to a Wall Street Journal report published on Thursday, drawing immediate backlash online.
"There is a lot I could say about this report of John Fetterman’s pathetic behavior as a senator," Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., said on X. "But between the laziness, disrespect, and willingness to carry water for a foreign government, it shows us something we already know: this man has no sense of duty."
"John Fetterman is a disgrace," Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., said in a post of his own. "Our state deserves better than a lazy trust fund baby who is too lazy to do the job."
Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who is the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, also condemned Fetterman’s behavior.
"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 & endless wars, he is attacking the very neighbors who gave him a chance. 2028 can’t come soon enough," he continued.
"John, if there is a decent bone left in your body, just quit. It’s an insult to decent people in our state for you to treat them and the office this way," Lamb wrote, referring to an instance where Fetterman blew off a meeting with paralyzed military veterans.
As reactions continue to pour in, Former Fetterman Staffers, the new group on X, told viewers that they would set a deadline for some of its upcoming revelations.
"Set your calendar for September 14th -- the day the Senate is back in session -- for our first drop. (Let's be honest, maybe the 15th: he'll skip Monday's votes)," the group said.
Despite raising questions and rage towards Fetterman, some observers condemned the staffers for what they called a lack of loyalty.
"So disloyal. He gave you jobs and opportunities and advanced your careers, and you publicly turn on him and set up an X account to attack him?" Marc Thiessen, a political pundit and former White House speechwriter for the Bush Administration, wrote on X.
"Honorable thing, if you disagree, is to resign quietly and work for someone else you prefer. You are pathetic," he continued.
Mark Morgan, political director for the Republican Governors Association, echoed Thiessen's thinking, blasting the group for its anonymity.
"Staff rule #1: it's not about you Staff rule #2: Your boss had the courage to put their name on a ballot. If you've chosen to become a click-seeking bottom feeder, at least have the courage to put your own name on it," Morgan said.
Fetterman’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
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