Sen. Fetterman must resign

[Mr. Sparkle]

Throughout the 2022 campaign, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman included as a keynote in his stump speech that he would always be the 51st vote for causes important to Democrats (his election afforded Democrats a narrow majority with the two Independents in the Senate caucusing with the Democrats).

Fast forward to 2024 and things have changed. Fetterman is now a leader among Democratic senators when it comes to capitulating to Donald Trump and the Republican Party that he controls. It started with Trump’s cabinet appointments. Sen. Fetterman has voted for more of Trump’s objectively unqualified nominees than nearly any other Democratic member of the body. Among the most egregious yes votes from Sen. Fetterman has been for Attorney General Pam Bondi, who, in a norms-busting piece of political theater, pledged fealty to President Trump during a blatantly political speech recently at the Department of Justice Headquarters where the President went on a tirade calling out his enemies and declaring journalism by outlets including CNN and MSNBC to be “illegal”.

As President Trump was incoherently rambling anti-constitutional and fascist rhetoric to the nation’s top law enforcement officials, Sen. Fetterman was on the floor of the U.S. Senate delivering a vote in favor of a Republican government funding bill that will enable the continued decimation of federal agencies at the hands of South African Billionaire Elon Musk.

Sen. Fetterman has refused to hold town hall meetings in Pennsylvania to hear from his constituents. In fact, the only public event where Fetterman will face the people of the Commonwealth is a joint appearance with Republican Sen. Dave McCormick and his wife Dina Powell, a former Trump administration official, to promote a children’s book written by the Republican power couple.

Enough is enough. Fetterman no longer represents the interests of those who elected him, he seems disinterested in serving in his important position, and his actions in the Senate are actively harming Pennsylvanians. As a Democratic County Party leader, who worked tirelessly to elect Fetterman in 2022, who stood by him through the hardship of his recovery from stroke and depression, his complete abandonment of the core values of our Party has become untenable.

I call for his immediate resignation from the U.S. Senate.

Matt Roan is chair of the Cumberland County Democratic Party.

https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2025/03/sen-fetterman-must-resign-opinion.html
https://www.removepaywall.com/search?url=https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2025/03/sen-fetterman-must-resign-opinion.html

[SheltieLover]

1. Kick

[robleb]

26. He showed warning signs...

Pennsylvanians just didn't pay attention.

[ShazzieB]

37. Could you possibly elaborate?

I knew absolutely nothing about Fetterman until he ran for the Senate. I'm from the Midwest, and I don’t keep up with state level politics in other parts of the country, so he was a blank slate as far as I was concerned. But iirc, a lot of DU members who were familiar with him seemed to be really excited about his Senate run and were thrilled when he won, so I assumed he must be a true blue Democrat. I was flummoxed when he started acting like such a DINO.

Now I'm hearing that there were signs all along, and I'm really curious to know more. He definitely had a fan club here at DU a couple of years ago. What do you think people missed?

[Bozvotros]

48. At first I considered him a dumb clodhopper

who I might be able to tolerate if he was a reliable Democratic vote. Now he just seems like a dumb galoot who probably sold us out for a few hundred bucks and a six pack.

[WhiteTara]

77. He pulled a gun on a black man who was just existing for starters

before the election. I think his stroke addled his brain.

[ShazzieB]

80. Yikes. I don't remember hearing about that!

[dugog55]

57. I am from Pennsylvania, what warning signs?

Don't just jump on the bandwagon trashing the guy if you have no proof. By the way, I hope he resigns. He has been a huge disappointment. And quite frankly he is embarrassing the way he dresses. Even his suits look like crap.

[Paladin]

2. Fetterman shows zero ability or inclination to do the proper thing and resign.

Pennsylvania voters need to do us all a huge favor and remove him from office just as soon as possible, replacing him with a for-real Democrat. Thanks in advance for doing what is called for.

[Ars Longa]

64. At the very least he should be harrassed for not doing in-person Town Halls

in Penn.
He is totally SCARED that his own people will call him out on
his Bait & Switch garbage!!

[Lonestarblue]

3. Governor Shapiro could appoint someone to replace Fetterman.

That would give the person the ability to run as an incumbent. Fetterman seems to have a lot of detractors lately.

[OnDoutside]

73. Who would run that could win ?

[Traildogbob]

4. What was his selling price?

He was cheaper than a travel trailer I bet.
Hoodies and cargo’s for life?

[LisaM]

6. I think it's his wife.

I would not be surprised if they threatened to deport her.

[Tetrachloride]

10. i am sure he would be welcome in florida

[Traildogbob]

11. That IS

The GQP go to play. You may well be correct.

[Katinfl]

12. Is she a citizen?

If not, you have a good point.

[Abnredleg]

15. She's a naturalized citizen

Since 2009. He’s not being blackmailed, but rather adapting to a changing political environment.

[steelyboo]

59. "adapting to a changing political environment."

That sure is a long-winded way to say Opportunist

[Abnredleg]

61. He's a realist /nt

[LisaM]

18. She came over undocumented.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-21/fetterman-s-wife-takes-history-as-undocumented-migrant-on-stump?embedded-checkout=true

[Buddyzbuddy]

13. That's my thought, too.

Fetterman is behaving like a man that is being blackmailed/extorted. I don't want to take any of the blame or responsibility from him but he's not the same guy that ran for and won his seat. Did he go to Maralago of his own volition or was he summoned. That seems to be the timeline when he really changed. Why would he go there on his own?

[MyOwnPeace]

44. I'm with you - this is NOT the guy I followed and campaigned for. WTF happened?

[ShazzieB]

70. OMG, that sounds horrible, but it would explain a lot!

I don't know what to think at this point, but I certainly wouldn't rule that out.

[et tu]

16. those have been my thoughts exactly

and his kids~

[Ping Tung]

7. Did he offer the buyer a warranty?

[H2O Man]

36. The actual correct answer

is that he has changed since his stroke in 2022. This is not unusual. The human brain is sensitive. (My cousin knows him, and has for years. She said the stroke changed who he is.)

[FuzzyRabbit]

46. This is what I believe also.

[BigmanPigman]

50. I've read and heard the same thing

That would never have occurred to me but it makes sense and appears to be true.

[Carlitos Brigante]

65. That's makes way more sense than the silly shit people are throwing around upthread. nt

[H2O Man]

66. Earlier this evening,

I contacted my favorite medical expert to ask her about post-stroke personality changes. Her detailed response and our conversation convinced me that this is indeed what we are seeing with the Senator.

On an added note, she said some horrible things about the president. I was delighted to read her comments, as she is one of the nicest, most gentle people I have known since we met in 1969.

[Carlitos Brigante]

83. I've been reading about this ever since he started getting worse. I don't doubt it's a possibility. But

he could also just be an unpricipled hack like Sinema, who decided to go wherever the lobbyists want him to.

[stopdiggin]

78. probably the most accurate (and least sexy) answer

but people would prefer something more juicy like payoffs or blackmail ...

I wonder if family members are as dismayed with cognition and personality changes? Most likely. Suddenly the person you live with (loved and married) - has been replaced by someone you're not quite sure you can ever feel the same way about.

[brush]

52. He had a great social media staff that portrayed the then Lt. Gov. as a hip...

fun-loving Democrat in some humorous and witty videos with the then governor or PA.

They got him many fans here. It turned out they did not accurately portray Fetterman. They turned out to be a bait and switch as the new US senator has turned out to be more DINO than Democrat.

[walkingman]

5. I don't see how anything can be done until 2028 - no recall procedure in Pennsylvania.

[bottomofthehill]

8. No recall for Federal Positions

The qualifications are in the Constitution. Only way to get rid of them is expulsion vote of their body.

[walkingman]

43. Thanks - we know that will never happen. So frustrating when these folks we elect

really have no core values. They are just opportunists.

[Goonch]

9. ;-{)

[AStern]

17. Michael Ramirez is a right wing cartoonist.

I doubt he's criticizing Fetterman for the same reason the OP is.

[boonecreek]

30. He wasn't.

Cartoon is from 2023.

[Trueblue1968]

19. I agree. Bad man.

[bucolic_frolic]

14. Hope that works.

[Demsrule86]

20. Then we would be down another Senator...primary him and if

he loses-problem solved...if he doesn't well at least he helps with a majority because no judges unless we do. And we vote for him in a General.

[DownriverDem]

21. He just got elected

Besides it's up to Pennsylvania.

[oldmanlynn]

22. Is Fetterman trying to keep his job as Senator?

Could that be why he does some of that to stay in the good graces of the people that voted him in perhaps and so it’s a balancing act. Not sure

[Figarosmom]

23. I wonder if

Someone is holding criminal charges over him from his accident.

Or was there something else?

I can't believe he folds like thus for nothing. And I don't believe his opinion changed this radically for nothing. His wife is a Brazilian activist, maybe something there?

Anyway you look at it he's compromised and has to be replaced.

[Ms. Morgan]

24. Yep

Time to go!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

82. Welcome to DU

[PennRalphie]

25. Senator Fetterman won't resign.

He sees the landscape of PA and is claiming to moderate. He’s not though. One thing he hasnt wavered on is his support of Israel. Remember, in November, a very great and beloved man, Bob Casey, lost an election to someone who doesn’t even live in PA. If his vote is needed to pass legislation when Dems retake the senate, he’ll be there.

[Oopsie Daisy]

28. Many of us tried to warn everyone. Lamb would have been a much better choice.

[calimary]

29. If he was elected in 2022? Then Pennsylvania can't vote him out til 2028.

Senate terms are six years.

That gives the Dems some time to find a replacement to primary Fetterman. Three more years we’ve gotta hold our noses til we can get that done. BUT we don’t have to hold our tongues OR our patience. OR our outrage.

[JI7]

31. Do we have someone that we know can win for sure ?

Why should we put ourselves in a situation where there is a chance of Republicans taking the seat.

[Passages]

32. Heartbreaker. So many had high hopes, myself included.

We may never know why exactly, but the reality is disturbing, he appears to have a very different political objective.

I can't think of one incentive that would prompt him to resign, unfortunately. I'm not suggesting his constituents should not try if that is what they want.

[Javaman]

33. Aside from his stroke playing a roll, I think he got dollar signs in his eyes

From all the sweet sweet corporate money rolling in. Aka the sinema effect

[Pris]

34. Finally

[bucolic_frolic]

35. Fetterman never made any sense to me, his image was discordant with all of PA

So in my suspicions his backers got him in office and the plan was to turn if opportunity presented itself. I guess that's cynical but tell me how a great progressive gets elected in PA.

[Butterflylady]

38. Fetterman was not backed by state democratic party till he beat Conner Lamb in the primary.

He was just in Israel where he gave netanyaho a framed newspaper article of netanyaho when he visited the US. And netanyaho gave a replica of the pager used in Israel to kill hezbula in Lebanon and Syria. I'm sure he prizes the pager

His wife accompanied him.

[onenote]

39. "Must"? No. Should? Maybe. Will? Not a chance.

[William769]

40. Kick & highly Recommended

[Littlered]

41. Wow, just wow.

And there are actually people still wondering how we lost the last election. The same ones that can’t fathom how the party’s favorability rating is at an all time low. If the people of Pennsylvania believe he no longer represents their values, they can replace him. His replacement, will more than likely, will not be to the left of him. So they will more than likely replace him with a Republican. My memory seems kinda foggy here. How has pushing right leaning dem senators out of the party worked out for us lately?

[Hornedfrog2000]

49. You think

We should be moving more to the right????? And we wonder how we got here...

[Littlered]

62. No, that's not what I'm saying at all.

What I am saying, is we need to face reality. Pennsylvania isn’t Oregon or California. Just like west Virginia an isn’t. Sherrod Brown (my former senator) was probably one of the most effective legislators on our states behalf you could ever hope for. Look how it ended for him. But yeah, you are probably right. Let’s double down with what we have been doing. It’s obvious they (the general public) loves our social agenda at the national level.

[Orrex]

72. It's wild when people blame the voters for the failures of the party.

[stopdiggin]

79. as just pointed out - Fetterman is very MUCH a creature of the voters

and NOT the 'Party' choice. So, in fact a shining illustration ...

You can call it 'wild' if you want to ...
But, Yeah ... Pretty much sums it up.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[aeromanKC]

42. DINO's got us ACA

If he is polling decent in PA then Fetterman needs to stay!! We need every D we can get in the Caucus if we want the gavel back. Is he my cup of tea? No. But i would have said a dozen D's in 2009 wasn't my cup of tea either, but then we'd never have gotten ACA passed with only my cup of tea Senator's.

[Silent Type]

45. Have we got a sure winner to primary Fetterman. If not, glad to have his vote when in matters.

[Gimpyknee]

47. I've heard enablers are guarding how serious Fetterman has been affected by his stroke.

[Bengus81]

51. He's making $14,500 per month plus perks. He's not going anywhere unless voted out.

That's not till 2028.

[elocs]

53. A fantasy is nice as long as you can distinguish it from reality. This is a fantasy.

Fetterman is not going to resign but I'm sure you know this already.
If I were to fantasize about somebody who must resign, should resign, Trump would be so far ahead of Fetterman so as to make the senator invisible.

[Cha]

54. Yeah, Fetterman won't "resign".. But that he was

called on to resign by the Chairman of Cumberland County, PA Does mean something.

Nice resume he's building. Not.

TY

[Bluestocking]

55. Trump won Pennsylvania

Since Trump won Pennsylvania, perhaps Fetterman is what Pennsylvania wants. Fetterman is just doing what he believes his constituents want.

[durablend]

75. Getting kicked to the curb next election

Because when the rubber meets the road they're going to vote for the *real* Republican, not him.

[Aussie105]

56. 'Measuring the direction of the prevailing wind.'

Want to be in politics?

Work out what the popular mood is, then go with that.

Once you are in, reevaluate that popular wind. Anything to progress your upwards trajectory.

Fetter_person says . . . nothing to see here, move along!

[Skittles]

58. he has been such a disappointment

and he is not the only one

[Buttoneer]

60. Agreed. My wife and I had a fundraiser at our house in Pittsburgh in 2016 and got to know both him

and Gisele. He's not the same man I met and supported.

[Joinfortmill]

63. He's definitely a problem. I doubt he resigns.

[MadMike47]

67. Plus, he's a total slob!!!

[Dem4life1970]

68. Primary him...plus he looks like garbage in his hoodies and shorts

It was cute and novel at first, now it just looks lazy.

[rickyhall]

69. I really dislike Scabs, I'm sorry, Dinos.

They should be charged with fraud.

[Duncanpup]

71. I agree.

And I voted for him.

[JohnnyRingo]

74. Perhaps he's being blackmailed.

I say that because this is completely out of character from his previous life in local politics.
Just looking at him tells me there may be some nasty skeletons in his closet. Skeletons he would do anything to suppress.

[Scrivener7]

76. But he won't.

[angryxyouth]

81. I'm from Philly

I’m from Philly and everyone in my circle is sick of his BS. Hopefully he’ll get primaried. I just looked it up and it’s not possible to remove a sitting member of the Senate for mental issues. There is the remedy from the framers.