(Mark Pellin, Headline USA) Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has not been seen or heard from publicly since being institutionalized weeks ago for clinical depression, but somehow has managed from his hospital bed to miraculously co-sponsor legislation on train safety.
Exactly how a clinically depressed, allegedly brain-dead senator signed on to the legislation, as well co-authoring a letter to Norfolk Southern, remained unknown.
When Stephen L. Miller, a contributing editor for The Spectator, asked for clarification, Fetterman’s chief of staff refused to provide an answer and instead blocked the reporter on Twitter.
Fetterman, who stumbled through a midterm campaign after suffering a stroke that his handlers tried to downplay and hide from voters, was rushed to a hospital last month after feeling “lightheaded”. He was released but re-hospitalized, allegedly for clinical depression.
Concerns have increased over Fetterman’s health after his spokesman last week dodged allegations that the senator was reportedly brain-dead and being kept under wraps while party operatives decided how to fill his U.S. Senate seat.
“We don’t have a lot to update folks with since there’s no real news to report except that John is doing well,” Joe Calvello offered in a cryptically upbeat tweet. “We understand the intense interest in John’s status … this will be a weeks-long process and while we will be sure to keep folks updated as it progresses, this is all there is to give by way of an update.”
The vague platitudes from staffers that provided no details or personal message from Fetterman only served to fuel speculation and concerns about the stroke victim’s status. Pennsylvania’s Washington County Republican Party demanded transparency, reportedly writing that it “refuses to take assurances from the Office of the Senator or Democrat operatives that Fetterman is able to carry out his duties as Senator.”
“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 to be held this year; no more lies or games,” wrote county party chairman Sean Logue.
Instead of providing any clarification, Fetterman’s chief of staff chose to attack conservatives and anyone who questioned the status of the hobbled senator.
“There has been an uptick in ugliness from the right,” tweeted Adam Jentleson, claiming that his office had received nothing but well-wishes for Fetterman.
The public backlash noted that hoping the senator was healthy and also demanding accountability weren’t mutually exclusive, while others blamed Fetterman’s handlers for abusing their boss by forcing him to undertake a grueling midterm campaign.
“People of good will can wish Senator Fetterman a speedy recovery, and I certainly do—but the question remains, how can he co-sponsor legislation when he’s hospitalized, particularly when the public does not know is (sic) actual condition?” one comment inquired.
“Fetterman? Really…. Funny nobody has seen him,” cracked another, while one offered, “I’m pretty sure that Fetterman had no idea what is going on.”
Fetterman has allegedly co-sponsored five bills since checking himself into the hospital on Feb. 16, which has ignited more concerns about who is really doing the work.
“If Fetterman is in a hospital for depression, then how can he be cognitively aware or signing anything as a Senator?” asked one constituent. “Who is acting as his person? It is illegal. If Fetterman cannot serve his oath of office he must resign. Why are you avoiding answering this? You must answer.”
The Gateway Pundit’s Kristinn Taylor ripped Fetterman’s office for grossly mishandling the senator’s absence, keeping constituents in the dark for going weeks.
