US Senator John Fetterman has drawn sharp criticism from former staffers and lawmakers for what they describe as a limited engagement with his Senate duties, whilst increasingly focusing on conservative media appearances and advocacy for Israel, according to a Wall Street Journal report released this week.

The Democrat from Pennsylvania frequently cancels or declines meetings with constituents and fellow lawmakers whilst maintaining a relatively light schedule.

Fetterman has also skipped numerous committee hearings and grown increasingly isolated from Senate Democrats, fuelling speculation that he could switch political parties.

He denied in May that he was considering leaving the Democratic Party.

The report cited more than a dozen former staffers and lawmakers, alongside internal messages and office records, describing what it characterised as a revolving door of aides working to maintain the appearance of a functioning Senate office.

Party tensions

Fetterman, who suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2022, has emerged as a staunch supporter of Israel and a regular presence on conservative television networks.

His stance has distanced him from progressive Democrats whilst earning praise from Republicans and pro-Israel advocates.

The scrutiny comes amid mounting political speculation in Pennsylvania, where recent polling indicates he is gaining support among Republican voters whilst seeing his popularity decline among Democrats, raising questions regarding his political future.

Fetterman has maintained that he would leave the Democratic Party only if it formally became "the anti-Israel party," whilst continuing to deny any active plans to cross the aisle.