‘Smears’: Fetterman denies allegations from staffers in new report

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, alleged that “disgruntled” former staffers are behind a Wall Street Journal report published last week that included a wide range of accusations, including previous employees questioning whether he cares about his work in the Senate.

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Fetterman, who’s currently serving his first term after being elected in 2022, sharply criticized ex-aides in a statement to CNN. The lawmaker, who didn’t respond to requests for comment from the WSJ, called the story the “third hit piece from disgruntled staffers.” Fetterman didn’t specifically cite the previous reporting, but he appeared to reference a New York Magazine article published last year titled “The Hidden Struggle of John Fetterman.”

“Per usual – lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears and anonymous,” Fetterman told CNN. He added that “no matter how many smears or stories, I’m proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania.”

USA TODAY reached out to Fetterman’s office for comment.

The Journal’s Sept. 3 reporting was based on interviews with more than a dozen former staffers and lawmakers as well as screenshots of text communications. One of the most notable accusations was that the senator flouted meetings with constituents. He also did not attend a gathering with paralyzed veterans in June on the same day he appeared in an interview with Fox News.

“It was my intention to meet with the group,” Fetterman said in the CNN statement. “Prior to the meeting I was at home throwing up, so I asked my staff to continue with the meeting which they did. Hours later, I felt well enough to continue the day as scheduled.”

Fetterman also didn’t attend a funeral last year for three police officers killed near York, Pennsylvania, his hometown. The Journal’s reporting included a screenshot of text messages in which a staff member relayed that the service could last at least three hours, and Fetterman reportedly referred to his attendance as a “nonstarter.”

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‘Stripped of any context’

Fetterman told CNN that the messages in the report were “stripped of any context and circumstances.” He added that “on the day of that tragedy, we privately ordered flowers to be delivered for their families and expressed my condolences publicly” for the slain officers.

“In June of this year, I privately attended a Tunnel to Towers fundraiser in York for the families. I met with their chief and the family members directly to express my personal condolences,” Fetterman added, referencing an X post with his well wishes for the officers’ families.

Fetterman is up for reelection in 2028. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has stood by the Pennsylvania senator as he’s repeatedly clashed with his fellow Democrats on the Iran war and other major issues.

Contributing: Finch Walker, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Smears’: Fetterman denies allegations from staffers in new report

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Reporting by Jay Stahl, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published September 6, 2026 at 12:58 PM.