Fetterman skipped veterans, gamed hearing attendance: 5 wildest details from bombshell WSJ report
WASHINGTON, DC: Late Thursday, The Wall Street Journal released a detailed report accusing Sen. John Fetterman of avoiding his constituents, missing Senate duties and causing friction with his staff, while focusing more on conservative media and Israel-related matters.
The article relied on interviews with more than a dozen former staffers and lawmakers, along with internal documents and messages. Fetterman did not answer requests for comment or specific questions about these claims.
1. Fetterman canceled on paralyzed veterans for a 'Fox News' hit
Three paralyzed veterans from rural Pennsylvania made their way to Washington in June.
They were supposed to meet with Senator Fetterman about important legislation that affected their care. When they arrived, Fetterman's staff told them he was sick and had to cancel. Not even an hour passed before Fetterman showed up at his office.
He looked healthy and told his staff he was there for a 'Fox News' interview on Israel and Iran, an interview he didn't want to miss.
“Less than an hour after his staffers met with the veterans in his place, Fetterman walked into his office, showing no signs of illness.”
2. Fetterman repeatedly dismissed constituent meetings
The report describes a pattern of Fetterman brushing off requests from constituents and local officials. When an aide told him Children's Hospital of Philadelphia wanted to discuss Medicaid cuts last year, Fetterman allegedly responded: “Why do I have to keep having to meet with chop.”
After being told the hospital was concerned about vaccines and Medicaid, he replied: “Well I’m not,” before adding: “I’m convinced they just want free trips to DC.”
That same day, Fetterman also backed out of a meeting with a state lawmaker to discuss homelessness programs, instead meeting with pro-Israel advocate and former basketball coach Bruce Pearl.
3. Fetterman gamed his Senate hearing attendance record
After scrutiny over his Senate attendance, records showed Fetterman had skipped 11 of 12 full committee hearings during one stretch.
The Journal reported that after Sen. Katie Britt explained how members typically check in before leaving for other business, Fetterman's team began deploying a staffer to catch the clerk's attention so he could be marked present after drifting into a room for less than a minute.
Since last June, he was marked present at 26 of 31 committee hearings, though he didn't speak in 20 of them.
Britt, through a spokeswoman, said she merely explained to Fetterman that “most members typically check in and then go about their days with meetings, speeches, votes, and other engagements while they wait for their turn to actively participate.”
Soon after, Fetterman implemented the strategy with his aides, including deploying an advance staffer to catch the clerk's eye, so Fetterman could get credit for attending even though he only drifted into the room for a minute or less.
4. Fetterman backed out of a police funeral
Fetterman also backed out of attending the funeral for three police officers killed near his hometown of York last year, according to the report.
After an aide explained that the formal ceremony would last at least three hours, Fetterman responded: “3 hours??”
Told it was effectively three separate funerals, he replied: “This may be a nonstarter.”
5. Fetterman staff blocked an Israel op-ed over legal concerns
Fetterman, the Journal reported, agreed to write an op-ed defending Israel, using talking points provided straight from Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter. Staffers worried the material might violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act and withheld it. The op-ed was never written.
"Late last summer, Fetterman told his advisers and senior staff he wanted to introduce a resolution forcing every senator to take a public stance on whether the war in Gaza constituted a genocide. His senior staff tried to talk him out of this idea, according to people familiar with the matter, but he was undeterred."
"Fetterman agreed, and told Leiter he would write the submission based on any points the ambassador sent over, according to these people. A few days later, embassy staff sent over drafted points for Fetterman to consider."
The disclosures come at a pivotal time for Fetterman, whose increasing alienation from his party and broadening appeal to Republican voters have sparked speculation about his political future.
He has denied contemplating a party switch but said he would leave if Democrats became “the anti-Israel party.” He is next up for re-election in 2028.
