Fetterman calls out 'yelling and screaming' Dems at Trump's SOTU speech: 'Respect the office'

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen John Fetterman distanced himself from fellow Democrats over how they handled President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, criticizing what he described as disruptive behavior inside the chamber and dismissing outside protest theatrics as ineffective.

Appearing on 'America's Newsroom' on Wednesday, February 25, with anchor Bill Hemmer, Fetterman made it clear that he was unimpressed by the demonstrations staged by members of his own party during Tuesday night’s speech.

John Fetterman urges respect for office

John Fetterman criticized the actions by several Democrats during Trump's SOTU speech and implied a clear display of "lack of respect" for the office.

“The constant kinds of yelling and screaming and, you know, holding up signs and doing all of these things, I don’t care if it’s a Republican or Democrat as the president, just don’t do that. Respect the office,” Fetterman told Hemmer.

Fetterman also suggested he may have been the only Democrat to shake Trump’s hand that evening- a gesture that stood in contrast to the broader mood among many Democratic lawmakers.

Dozens of Democrats publicly announced ahead of time that they would skip the address altogether. Others attended but registered visible dissent during the speech.

“It’s just disappointing, honestly,” Fetterman said, referring to colleagues who chose not to attend.

His comments placed him at odds with members of his caucus who viewed boycott or protest as necessary responses to Trump’s agenda.

John Fetterman says dancing frogs won’t help Democrats

Fetterman also took aim at alternative protest events held outside the Capitol.

One such gathering in Washington, DC, branded as a counter-programming effort, featured members of the so-called Portland Frog Brigade, activists known for appearing in frog costumes during anti-ICE demonstrations.

The imagery drew Fetterman’s sarcasm. “As a Democrat, I don’t think dancing frogs moves the ball for us as a party either,” he said.

At the event, Rep Al Green was escorted out after holding up a sign reading, “Black People Are Not Apes.”

The message referenced a controversial Truth Social post from Trump’s account that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.

Video also circulated of Reps Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib shouting toward Trump during parts of the speech, including when he discussed immigration enforcement.

Omar was heard accusing the president of policies that she said had cost American lives.

For Fetterman, however, the issue was less about the substance of disagreement and more about decorum.

He stressed that public protest inside the chamber, regardless of party, crossed a line.