OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman’s team recently said the topic of resignation was “never discussed and is not on the table” after he was admitted to the hospital a second time.
“While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks,” said Adam Jentleson, Fetterman’s Chief of Staff. “After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”
Over the weekend, Pennsylvania Republicans demanded that Fetterman release a video “to show us he is alive and well,” or face intervention from other lawmakers if he is “unable to do this.”
“If Fetterman resigns, it would trigger a special election, giving the GOP a chance to increase its Senate representation to 50. This would make the Democrats reliant on Senator Kyrsten Sinema (who became an independent in December but still caucuses with the party) and on the vice president’s casting vote to maintain overall control,” Newsweek reported.
New pictures were released over the weekend of Fetterman with his family as he continues his treatment.
“We can do hard things when we do them together so proud of João, the kids, and everyone who’s shared their own struggles with us in the past few weeks. It gets better,” Gisele Fetterman, his wife, tweeted.
We can do hard things when we do them together ❤️ so proud of João, the kids, and everyone who’s shared their own struggles with us in the past few weeks. It gets better. pic.twitter.com/LqZW9LojDH
— Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) March 10, 2023
Last month, Washington County Republican Party Chair Sean Logue released a statement and questioned whether Fetterman “is able to carry out his duties as Senator.”
The statement continued: “We call upon Senator Fetterman to appear on camera to show us he is alive and well, and if he is unable to do so, we call upon our elected Representatives in Washington, Senator [Bob] Casey and Congressman [Guy] Reschenthaler, to intervene immediately.
“Ultimately, if Fetterman is unable or unwilling to carry out his duties as a United States Senator, then we ask for his resignation and call for a special election this year; no more lies or games.”
Shortly afterward, Fetterman’s communications director Joe Calvello said in a statement that the senator was “doing well” and “on a path to recovery,” adding: “He is visiting with staff and family daily, and his staff is keeping him updated on Senate business and news.”
Fetterman checked himself into a hospital to deal with rising bouts of depression following a major stroke last spring and lingering ill effects. According to his chief of staff, the freshman senator checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center “to receive treatment for clinical depression,” according to CNN.
Fetterman suffered a major stroke in May. After staying off the campaign trail for a few months, he jumped back in time to engage in some fundraisers and a disastrous debate against his Trump-backed Republican opponent, TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, both of whom were vying for retiring GOP Sen. Pat Toomey’s seat.
In a statement announcing the self-check-in last month, Fetterman’s chief of staff noted further: “After examining John, the doctors at Walter Reed told us that John is getting the care he needs, and will soon be back to himself.”
Gisele Fetterman, who lived in the U.S. illegally for at least a decade, came under fire last month after she revealed that she took her family to vacation in Canada after her husband was admitted to the hospital.
“I am not really sure how to navigate this journey but am figuring it out slowly,” she said. “1 week ago today when the news dropped, the kids were off from school and media trucks circled our home. I did the first thing I could think of … pack them in the car and drive.”
I am not really sure how to navigate this journey but am figuring it out slowly. 1 week ago today when the news dropped, the kids were off from school and media trucks circled our home. I did the first thing I could think of … pack them in the car and drive.
— Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) February 24, 2023
She added: “We drove straight into … Canada (and lovely Buffalo NY) (Pro Tip: always have passports ready just in case you have to run away) We talked about lots of hard things and how we will all have to face hard things. About the need to be gentle … with all and with ourselves.”
“We did some scary things but we did them together. We ziplined over Niagara Falls and August got stuck. We talked about flexibility and the need to always have an open heart and an open mind,” she added in a tweet that included a short video clip and a photo of her and the couple’s kids.
We did some scary things but we did them together. We ziplined over Niagara Falls and August got stuck 🫠. We talked about flexibility and the need to always have an open heart and an open mind. pic.twitter.com/IyuvBBXaOe
— Gisele Barreto Fetterman (@giselefetterman) February 24, 2023
Understandably to many, she was ripped on social media for her decision.
Michael Duncan of the Cavalry public affairs firm tweeted, “In any good prenup this behavior would immediately annul the marriage. I still can’t believe [the tweet is] real, this is textbook malignant narcissist behavior.”
Noted Seattle-based conservative radio host Jason Rantz: “Sen. John Fetterman’s (D-PA) wife brags about abandoning her husband in the hospital and fleeing the country on vacation while he battles severe depression.”
Defense of Freedom Institute spokeswoman Angela Morabito wrote on Twitter, “She abandoned her husband in the hospital, took her kids to another country, and wants you to believe she’s inspirational.”
