As controversy percolates around Sen. John Fetterman, donors question his political moves — and goals

Benjamin Kail, Ford Turner, Steve Bohnel and Laura Esposito / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Fetterman has faced increased criticism and questions about his actions in recent months after former staffers reportedly expressed concerns about his health, dozens of small donors continue to seek refunds, and some officials who worked with the former Braddock mayor and lieutenant governor claim he’s driven by political ambition.

Several officials of both major parties — including his Republican counterpart, Sen. Dave McCormick — strongly defended the Democrat in interviews with the Post-Gazette after a recent New York magazine story cited his former chief of staff and other ex-employees sharing concerns about the senator’s health and behavior during the past year. 

But many Democratic voters said they feel the senator has turned his back on them — pushing too hard in support of Israel as the death toll in Gaza rises in the wake of Hamas’ October 2023 terrorist attack, or not standing up enough to a Trump administration that’s expanded executive power and slashed federal funding that helps Pennsylvanians. 

“I just feel like it’s been a complete betrayal,” said Steven Dudenhoeffer, a 41-year-old Erie software developer who added that he felt “duped” after donating $1,250 to Mr. Fetterman’s 2022 Senate primary campaign. “He positioned himself as a very progressive Democrat, almost like Bernie Sanders … then you find out he’s basically Joe Manchin.”

A day before the New York magazine story published May 2, a meeting between the staunchly pro-union Mr. Fetterman and teachers from the Pennsylvania State Education Association reportedly became volatile.

The senator raised his voice and banged his fists on a table after a comment pressing him to push back on federal education cuts, a person briefed on the meeting told the Post-Gazette. An aide for the senator then led visitors out of the meeting and began crying, the person said.

PSEA spokesman Chris Lilienthal said in a statement that the union could not comment on the details of a private meeting with the senator. 

“As always, PSEA stands ready to work with Sen. Fetterman and any lawmaker who shares PSEA’s priorities for working people, labor unions and public education,” he said.

Mr. Fetterman, whose office did not respond to multiple requests from the Post-Gazette for comment, characterized the New York magazine story as a “hit piece from a very-left publication.” He told NBC News and CNN that it was driven by his onetime chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, and a few “disgruntled” anonymous ex-staffers. 

Mr. Jentleson, in a May 2024 email to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center doctor who had overseen the senator’s care for depression at the time, expressed doubts about the senator taking his medication and concerns about his health. He mentioned “warning signs” including “conspiratorial thinking,” “megalomania,” rambling, lying, and declining to read briefings and memos. 

“I think John is on a bad trajectory and I’m really worried about him,” Mr. Jentleson wrote.

Mr. Fetterman, who along with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, is frequently mentioned as a potential Democratic presidential contender, told CNN this week that he’s followed his doctor’s directions, is healthy and plans to complete at least his six-year Senate term. 

When a reporter on Thursday asked Mr. Shapiro in Philadelphia about concerns over the senator’s health and job performance, the governor said, “I think the best judge of Sen. Fetterman’s health is Sen. Fetterman and his family, and I’ll leave it to them to discuss that any further.”

The senator has missed 173 of 917 roll call votes — almost 19% — from February 2023 to May of 2025, according to GovTrack.us. That period includes the six-week stretch after he checked himself into the hospital to be treated for depression. But the accountability and transparency website said the missed vote total is “much worse than the median of 2.7% of the lifetime records of senators currently serving.”

Mr. Fetterman has also faced criticism and protests in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for not making as many public appearances as other lawmakers, despite trips to Israel as his national profile rises.

A March event in Pittsburgh with Mr. McCormick on the Republican senator’s book tour was postponed “due to an unforeseen logistical issue” after protests were planned, according to an email to ticket holders that was shared with the Post-Gazette.

Allegheny County officials speak frequently with Mr. Fetterman’s staff but neither the senator nor Mr. McCormick has “been in the office … despite requests,” according to a source in Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato’s office. 

“They’re perpetually in [Washington, D.C.], whereas [former Sen. Bob] Casey was established enough to be more present here,” the person said. 

But Mr. McCormick, who narrowly ousted Mr. Casey last year, has made a host of appearances across the state since January. He frequently shares updates over social media from meetings with constituents, business leaders and Pennsylvania officials.

“Sen. Fetterman and I have a great relationship, both professionally and personally,” Mr. McCormick said. “While we have many differences, we are both committed to working together to achieve results for the people of Pennsylvania and make their lives better. He is authentic and a fighter, and these disgraceful attacks against him are not the John that I know and respect.”

“My team and I have a good working relationship with the senator and his team,” Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa. said in a statement to NBC News. “That’s important across the PA delegation and can help us get stuff done for our region.”

‘My money back’

Several voters and officials said it’s Mr. Fetterman’s stances — not questions about his health following a 2022 stroke and later treatment for depression — driving their concerns.

In Harrisburg, a Democratic state lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Mr. Fetterman’s positions in Washington have rattled people on the home front.

“A lot of constituents have not been happy with his votes and actions,” the lawmaker said.

For years, Richard Van Berg, a resident of Delaware County near Philadelphia, made monthly contributions of $10 to Mr. Fetterman’s campaign.

But when the senator became the only Democrat voting to confirm U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Mr. Van Berg, 82, reached a breaking point.

“I told him he wasn’t doing what I had hoped he would be doing, and that he had to stand up for democracy, for the system,” Mr. Van Berg said. “I couldn’t donate to him anymore. I asked for my money back.”

Earlier this year, Cumberland County Democratic Party chair Matt Roan called on Mr. Fetterman to resign. He painted him as a “leader among Democratic senators when it comes to capitulating to Donald Trump and the Republican Party that he controls.”

Monroeville resident Jeremiah McCauliffe made the first political contribution of his life in 2022, supporting Mr. Fetterman’s Senate bid after the Democrat’s 13-year run as mayor of Braddock.

Mr. McCauliffe, a 67-year-old retired health care worker who describes himself as a lifelong progressive, said he felt a deep kinship with the then-mayor.

Mr. Fetterman had moved to the distressed borough and ran for mayor in 2005 on a mission to revitalize Braddock, winning by a single vote.

During his tenure, he used nonprofit ties to nurture businesses, arts and culture. For more than five years under the watch of Mr. Fetterman — an ally to those pushing for gun legislation — no deaths were recorded in the borough, according to the gun violence prevention group Giffords.

But a few years and $2,500 later, Mr. McCauliffe says he wants his money back.

“He’s definitely taking positions that are Republican, and these are not normal times,” he said, accusing the Trump-led GOP of “destroying pluralistic democracy.”

Like other former supporters, Mr. McCauliffe said he has been appalled by Mr. Fetterman’s vocal support for Israel’s war in Gaza and the toll it has taken on children.

“Even if he was going to be full-on pro-Israel, dear Lord, he had no subtlety or dignity in his responses,” he said.

‘Full maverick’

Mr. Fetterman has made headlines for seeking to work with the Trump administration, backing Republican-led immigration and crime legislation and Trump’s effort to deport pro-Palestinian protesters.

He was the lone Democrat to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago before the president took office, and early on in Trump’s second administration, the senator criticized progressive protests and political messaging by his own party, which has been divided over how to blunt the White House and Republican-controlled Congress.

But Mr. Fetterman is still critical of some of Trump’s policies, particularly regarding union support, the chaotic nature of federal spending cuts and a ban on transgender military service members.

A veteran Senate Democratic staffer said he was dismayed that the New York magazine story relied heavily on material from the senator’s former chief of staff. The Democratic staffer, who declined to be named, agreed that it was a “hit piece” and said he would never consider turning on an elected official with whom he had worked so closely.

State Rep. Mark Gillen, R-Berks, said he does not see “a significant change on where John is now from where he was historically” in terms of taking policy positions and sticking to his core values.

Mr. Gillen — who said he has not had personal contact with Mr. Fetterman in some time — said the senator’s recent personal health challenges have been acute and well-publicized. 

But Mr. Fetterman’s actions now must be viewed in the context that operating in Washington is a far cry from Harrisburg, where Mr. Fetterman had little pressure to formulate positions on geopolitical matters, national defense and Israel.

“His perch has changed,” Mr. Gillen said.

Mr. Fetterman had developed his own style as lieutenant governor, dressing casually except when carrying out his duty as president of the state Senate. 

He trumpeted his support of marijuana legalization by hanging a large marijuana-plant banner from his office balcony. Six months into his tenure, his approach to running the state Senate was a flashpoint in a prolonged and ugly shouting incident in the chamber during a divisive debate.

“I always thought he was very thoughtful, but I always thought he was kind of a card,” a veteran Republican staffer in the Pennsylvania House, who met Mr. Fetterman even before he arrived in Harrisburg, told the Post-Gazette. “When you thought you had him pegged, he would squiggle out.”

Nothing the senator has done since he left Harrisburg has surprised this staffer, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Mr. Fetterman, he said, has always followed his own muse.

“I am not surprised that he has gone full maverick,” the staffer said.

‘Doing best he can’

As Braddock mayor, Mr. Fetterman focused on bringing businesses to the town, along with addressing gun violence in the borough. He emphasized revitalizing buildings, like converting an old church into a shared arts and nonprofit space.

His work in the borough of fewer than 2,000 residents gained him attention from the national press and won him supporters from many community, political, and business leaders who felt he helped improve Braddock’s image.

But others, including former and current borough council members, clashed with him when he was mayor and after he left, and say they believe Mr. Fetterman’s efforts were merely for his political rise. 

A former council president Jesse Brown, who died in 2021, often said Mr. Fetterman did things without the council’s input or approval, and that there should have been more collaboration.

But current Mayor Delia Lennon-Winstead, who has known Mr. Fetterman and his wife, Gisele, for years, said she understands why some have clashed with Mr. Fetterman, who has a distinct style that might not appeal to some.

As someone who has lost family members to gun violence, including her daughter in October 2023, Ms. Lennon-Winstead said she has always appreciated Mr. Fetterman’s commitment on the issue. His right arm features tattoos with the dates that lives were lost to violence in Braddock during his tenure.

She said she believes he had higher political ambitions while serving as mayor, but also that he genuinely sought to bolster Braddock.

“I think he’s doing the best that he can, and that he’s come a long way from his stroke,” Ms. Lennon-Winstead said. “I mean, we’re all human. We all have flaws. Some people are selfish and inconsiderate of others. I don't think he's that way, but some people think that he is.”