Pennsylvania Senator Fetterman Faces Staff Exodus Amid Health Concerns

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is facing growing concerns about his mental and physical health following his 2022 stroke and treatment for depression, as highlighted by a recent New York magazine feature. Reports describe erratic behavior, including outbursts during meetings, and note a high turnover rate among his staff, with two legislative assistants, Madeleine Marr and Caroline Shaffer, departing shortly before the article's publication. Former chief of staff Adam Jentleson expressed deep worries in a letter to Fetterman's medical team about the senator's declining condition and inconsistent medication adherence. Despite these alarming accounts and internal Democratic discussions on how to support him, Fetterman has denied the allegations, calling the coverage a "hit piece" and attributing staff departures to typical Capitol Hill turnover. Some colleagues, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Whip Dick Durbin, have downplayed tensions, emphasizing Fetterman’s legislative contributions and ongoing communication. Meanwhile, Republicans have attempted to capitalize on the situation by encouraging Fetterman to switch parties, though he has firmly rejected such overtures.