John Fetterman blasts Trump over ‘deeply wrong’ attack on Democratic colleagues
BRADDOCK, PITTSBURGH: Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) slammed President Donald Trump on Thursday morning, November 20, after Trump unleashed a wild attack on six Democratic lawmakers.
Trump had ignited outrage with a series of Truth Social posts accusing the lawmakers, who released a video urging military members to reject illegal orders of seditious behavior he claimed was punishable by death.
I strongly reject this dangerous rhetoric.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) November 20, 2025
Do not threaten Members of Congress.
Republican or Democrat.
It’s deeply wrong with no exceptions—ever. pic.twitter.com/M4IeKZ3zMO
John Fetterman calls out Trump over his recent remarks
In a Thursday afternoon tweet on November 20, Senator John Fetterman sharply criticized Trump for his remarks about several Democratic lawmakers.
Fetterman wrote, “I strongly reject this dangerous rhetoric,” and warned, “Do not threaten Members of Congress.” He stressed that his stance was neutral, saying, “Republican or Democrat, it’s deeply wrong with no exceptions ever.”
He posted these comments along with a screenshot of a Washington Examiner article titled “Trump blasts ‘seditious’ Democratic veterans: ‘Punishable by death.’”
Fetterman’s strong response stood out because he has recently been one of the most Trump-friendly Democrats in Washington. During a recent Fox News interview, he even described Trump as “gracious” and said their dinner together was pleasant and focused on real conversation rather than showmanship.
"It was pleasant and it wasn’t a show or anything. It was just a conversation, and we might– could things we agree on, and I thought it was a good conversation."
Trump says six Democrats should be jailed
Earlier on Thursday, November 20, the president claimed that six Democratic lawmakers should be jailed or even executed because they told military members to refuse illegal orders from his administration.
The group, Sens Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz), and Reps Chris Deluzio (D-Pa), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa), and Jason Crow (D-Colo), posted a video on X on Tuesday telling service members, “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.” All six lawmakers have military or intelligence experience.
On the same day, Trump reacted on Truth Social, calling their message “really bad and dangerous to our country.” He wrote, “Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” He later added, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
Karoline Leavitt defends Trump’s remarks about Democrats
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday afternoon that Trump does not want members of Congress executed, but he does believe they should face consequences.
She explained, "To suggest and encourage active-duty service members defy the chain of command is a very dangerous thing for sitting members of Congress to do. And they should be held accountable. And that’s what the president wants to see."
The video from the lawmakers referred to the administration’s decision to send National Guard troops to cities across the country, including Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and Chicago.
The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 generally bans the military from carrying out civilian law-enforcement duties, except during emergencies like rebellions or foreign attacks.
The administration said rising crime justified sending troops into major cities, but those deployments faced legal challenges. On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that the administration overstepped its authority and violated federal law and ordered the National Guard to leave the nation’s capital.