Washington DC - A recent report found that Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has been struggling to perform basic functions of his job.
According to text messages between Fetterman and staffers recently obtained by The Wall Street Journal, Fetterman has made a habit of turning down public events, meetings with constituents, and public hearings.
The senator once reportedly lied that he was sick to get out of meeting with a group of paralyzed military veterans in his state, but later that same day made an appearance on Fox News.
In another instance, Fetterman declined requests to meet with representatives of a children's hospital, asking one of his staffers why he had to do it.
When he was told the meeting was regarding "vaccines and Medicaid cuts," Fetterman said he wasn't worried about that, and said the representatives "just want free trips to DC."
In yet another, he tapped out of attending the funerals of three slain police officers near his hometown because the ceremony was expected to last over 3 hours.
In recent months, Fetterman has refused to back his party in key efforts, putting him at odds with many of his colleagues and constituents.
The text messages were shared by several former staff members who have turned on the Senator, with one telling the Journal, "You can't have any sort of substantial conversation with him about any policy or strategy without it becoming completely derailed or unhinged."
John Fetterman turns his back on the Democratic Party
Fetterman, a former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor, was elected to the Senate in 2022 after gaining popularity for his progressive policy stances.
But in recent months, he has gained the ire of Democratic voters and some of his colleagues, as he has gone out of his way to defend President Donald Trump and Republican policies, while standing in defiance of his own party's efforts.
He has voted in favor of Trump's abrupt decision to go to war with Iran, and voted against efforts to force the release of the files on sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, describing the scandal as a "nothing burger."
Fetterman's biggest issue has been Israel, as he is a staunch Zionist who regularly defends the country's handling of Gaza and accepts campaign money from lobbies.
In a reaction to the Journal's reporting, Fetterman's fellow Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio described his colleague's behavior as "pathetic."
"Between the laziness, disrespect, and willingness to carry water for a foreign government, it shows us something we already know: this man has no sense of duty," Deluzio said.