Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) won his race in November, then checked himself into a hospital six weeks later to get treatment for depression. The 53-year-old had suffered a serious stroke over the summer, and his mental capacity and hearing were badly affected.
The senator showed up at a Senate hearing in a white hoodie and some gym shorts, even though there is a dress code in place for senators.
In a recent article, the Associated Press (AP) praised Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman for flouting the Senate dress code. The AP said that Fetterman’s casual attire shows that he is “recovering robustly” from his recent bout of depression.
“People close to Fetterman say his relaxed, comfortable style is a sign that the senator is making a robust recovery after six weeks of inpatient treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where his clinical depression was treated with medication and he was fitted for hearing aids for hearing loss that had made it harder for him to communicate,” the AP said.
The AP article was widely criticized by conservatives, who accused the AP of promoting a double standard. Conservatives pointed out that the AP had previously criticized other senators for their casual attire, including Ted Cruz and Rand Paul.
“John Fetterman’s attire in the Senate perfectly summarizes Democrats lack of respect for Americans and our institutions,” conservative comedian Tim Young wrote on Twitter.
“He was healthy. He could perform all of his job abilities normally according to doctor’s letter during the campaign. Now he must be accommodated and allowed to wear a hoodie and gym shorts or he will fall back into crippling depression,” Spectator contributing editor Stephen L. Miller wrote. “This is how you treat a five year old by the way.”
“Voting from the doorway of the Senate chamber because you won’t give up your clown outfit (shorts/hoodie) is unprofessional and an insult to PA voters!” raged another user. “Resign NOW and let the voters select a better Senator.”
John Fetterman participates in a Senate Banking Committee hearing with the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank. pic.twitter.com/uKILMfuilN
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 16, 2023
John Fetterman's attire in the Senate perfectly summarizes Democrats lack of respect for Americans and our institutions. pic.twitter.com/pvhJhcAFBy
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) May 22, 2023
He was healthy. He could perform all of his job abilities normally according to doctor's letter during the campaign.
Now he must be accommodated and allowed to wear a hoodie and gym shorts or he will fall back into crippling depression. https://t.co/VuWI1bWjMo
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) May 21, 2023
FETTERMAN IS NOT FIT TO SERVE IN THE SENATE! Voting from the doorway of the Senate chamber because you won't give up your clown outfit (shorts/hoodie) is unprofessional and an insult to PA voters! Resign NOW and let the voters select a better Senator. https://t.co/aTbcLWXZAY
— Wendy Rembowski (@exladycop86) May 22, 2023
