The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board took aim at Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Thursday, following a Wall Street Journal report detailing his work habits and his video address to the Republican National Committee's midterm convention.
"News flash: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is still an embarrassment," the board wrote. "The Pennsylvania Democrat enjoys one of the cushiest jobs in America, but he can't perform basic duties like voting, attending committee hearings, or meeting with constituents."
Fetterman has increasingly broken with his party over the past few years, staking out a strongly pro-Israel position amid the Middle East conflict and publicly feuding with the party's left wing, especially democratic socialists. He has also made regular appearances on conservative media, including roughly 60 spots on Fox News this year and two trips to Israel since 2024.
The Journal's report, which Fetterman dismissed as "smears" and "half-truths," alleged that he avoided constituents and prioritized building ties with right-wing outlets. In a statement to CNN, Fetterman said, "Per usual — lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears and anonymous. No matter how many smears or stories, I'm proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania."
Former staffers told the Journal that Fetterman seems largely uninterested in the job beyond "cultivating relationships with conservative media figures and advocating for Israel." The Inquirer board echoed that sentiment: "Apparently, teachers, healthcare officials, police, and veterans take a backseat while Fox News and the Israel-Hamas war command Fetterman's full attention."
At the RNC's Dallas convention on Wednesday, Fetterman appeared in a prerecorded video praising Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.). "Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I'm a commonsense Democrat," he said. "David McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done."
The video has fueled speculation about Fetterman's political future, with some pundits predicting a party switch. Fetterman has since reaffirmed his loyalty to the Democratic caucus, but the Inquirer's editorial suggests that his actions continue to alienate his own base.
The Inquirer also noted that Fetterman's focus on conservative media and Israel has come at the expense of Pennsylvania constituents, including disabled veterans and hospital workers who have struggled to meet with him. The board's critique is the latest in a series of attacks from within his own party, as some Democrats question his commitment to the job.
The Hill has reached out to Fetterman's office for comment.
