The editorial board of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the largest newspaper by circulation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, penned a searing editorial criticizing the state’s senior senator, John Fetterman.
“News flash: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is still an embarrassment.
“The Pennsylvania Democrat enjoys one of the cushiest jobs in America, but he can’t perform basic duties like voting, attending committee hearings, or meeting with constituents.
“Fetterman’s disdain for the job — which comes with a $174,000 annual salary, free healthcare, and months off at taxpayer expense — has been well documented. He whined about missing a family beach trip during a lengthy debate last year over Donald Trump’s costly and harmful One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The editorial continued to harp on allegations in a recent Wall Street Journal expose entitled, “Behind Closed Doors, John Fetterman Shows Little Interest in the Work of a Senator.”
Fetterman called it, “a hit piece,” telling CNN, “Per usual — lies, half-truths, innuendos, smears and anonymous. No matter how many smears or stories, I’m proud to continue to deliver for Pennsylvania.”
The editorial also cited numerous other outlets’ reporting on Pennsylvania’s former lieutenant governor, who defeated Mehmet Oz for the seat in 2022, including New York Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Politico.
A year ago, the Inquirer editorial board, “written by a group of journalists who work separately from the newsroom to debate matters of public interest,” called upon the senator to “do his job effectively or step away.”
Today, the same board said, “In the private sector, most workers who fail to perform their basic job duties get fired. Unless Fetterman resigns, voters will get their chance to oust him in 2028.”