The Monroe County Democratic Party in Pennsylvania escalated its criticism of Senator John Fetterman on Sunday, labeling him a “traitor” to Democrats and the voters who helped elect him. The sharp rebuke came after Fetterman repeatedly backed several Trump administration Cabinet picks and policies, deepening a rift within the party.
“TRAITOR to Democrats. TRAITOR to Pennsylvanians. TRAITOR to those who worked tirelessly to elect him and stood with him,” the county chapter wrote in a post on X. They also dismissed Fetterman’s role as a key Senate vote, adding, “'51st vote,' my a$$. This FOX pundit is MAGA. Primary him and vote him out in 2028.”
The statement was attached to a clip of Fetterman appearing on Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing,” where he discussed supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for a Cabinet position. “I’m not sure what he’s up for the job, but I voted for some of those members of the Cabinet because, you know, like Marco Rubio, I think he’s done a great job overall, too. It used to not be very controversial to absolutely vote for these kinds of people just because it happens to be the opposite party,” Fetterman said.
He went on to accuse his party of being consumed by what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” or TDS, a term often used by the former president to dismiss critics. “Right now, our entire party’s been defined by TDS,” Fetterman added.
Fetterman has emerged as an outlier among Senate Democrats, breaking ranks to support former Senator Markwayne Mullin for Homeland Security secretary and previously backing Kristi Noem’s nomination for the same role—though he later called for her firing. He opposed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, but has criticized Democrats for refusing to fund the White House Ballroom and for opposing military action in Iran.
The Pennsylvania senator defended his cross-party approach during the interview, saying, “We have to find a way to work together, and we can agree on some things, and we’re going to disagree on other things, as I’ve done.” His stance has drawn praise from Republican leaders, including President Trump, who have urged him to switch parties. According to The New Republic, Fetterman was reportedly promised a Trump endorsement and a “financial windfall” for defecting.
Fox News host Sean Hannity revealed on air that Trump had nudged him to lobby Fetterman directly. “Your job is to tell him: He’s gonna be run as a Republican, he’s gonna have our full support, more money than he ever dreamed of, and he’s gonna win big,” Hannity recalled. Despite the overtures, Fetterman said last September he would not change his party affiliation while in office.
The backlash from Monroe County reflects growing frustration among grassroots Democrats as Fetterman continues to align with Trump-era policies. This internal conflict mirrors broader tensions within the party, as seen in recent debates over the withheld 2024 election autopsy and leadership disputes. Fetterman’s willingness to cross the aisle has made him a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle to define the Democratic Party’s direction.
