Sen. John Fetterman Denies Allegations Of ‘Reckless & Volatile Behavior’ By Staffers

Two years after Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) checked himself into a hospital to treat his mental health, he faces new allegations of misconduct against staffers.

Following the publication of a New York Magazine article in which current and former senator staffers accused him of being unfit for office, the Democrat from Pennsylvania sat down with CNN for an interview, describing the article as a “hit piece.”

Fetterman refuted the assertions made by his former chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, and current anonymous staffers that he was “exhibiting reckless and volatile behavior.”

“It’s a one-source hit piece, and it involved maybe two or three anonymous disgruntled staffers saying just absolutely false things,” he told CNN.

Although he has a history of being open about his mental health and receiving treatment for clinical depression, his accusers are coming out with a conflicting narrative. Jentleson and other staffers described Fetterman as having a far more severe mental health situation than previously discussed and someone “who has become almost impossible to work for.”

“I’ve been very front and center about my … depression, absolutely none of these other things, and it’s like so someone that was trying to accumulate my medical records and leak those things that’s part of this weird grudge for this hit piece,” Fetterman said.

Due to Fetterman’s past health concerns and his breaking away from fellow Democrats on several issues, including the Gaza War, there are already discussions about primarying him. The new allegations are causing questions over his fitness to serve, which could boost this effort.

The New York article documents on the record allegations from several former and current staffers that Fetterman could be off his medication. The senator denied all charges and said his doctors think he is in a “great” spot.

Despite Jentleson’s claims that he is going public out of concern for Fetterman, he believes his former chief of staff holds a “weird grudge” against him.

“If you’re really concerned about someone, you could say, ‘Hey, let’s sit down. Can we talk?’ It’s not … like going to the media,” Fetterman said.

While declining to comment on his plans for running for a second term, Fetterman is ready to put this story behind him and continue to serve out his current term.