Arizona Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego says that Republicans are actively attempting to sway Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman to the right, bluntly stating “of course” when asked if the GOP is trying to sway Fetterman their way.

These comments come as Fetterman faces growing criticism from fellow Democrats and questions about his health, while receiving unusual public support from Republican senators.

Newsweek reached out to Fetterman’s office via email on Sunday for comment.

Why It Matters

These cross-party dynamic highlights growing tensions within the Democratic Party and potential realignment pressures in Congress.

While Fetterman has repeatedly stated he will not change parties, the situation reflects broader ideological fractures, particularly around issues like Israel policy and tax legislation, that could impact Democratic unity during a politically divisive period.

What To Know

During an interview with Politico on Saturday, Gallego characterized the Republican outreach to Fetterman as “f***-f*** games,” a Marine Corps term for pointless exercises, while arguing Democrats should keep Fetterman “in their corner” despite disagreements.

“There needs to be space for Fetterman and for other senators in our caucus,” Gallego said. “He still is a senator that fights for working-class people.”

The Club for Growth, a conservative group, has launched television advertisements in Pennsylvania praising Fetterman as “standing up for every working family in PA” and urging him to support President Donald Trump’s tax cuts.

Fetterman has still voted against the budget blueprint that would extend these tax cuts and confirmed Friday he remains opposed to these efforts.

Despite this pushback, multiple Republican lawmakers, including Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, and Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, have publicly defended Fetterman against what they characterize as unfair attacks regarding his health and political stances.

This GOP defense comes after reports that current and former staffers are concerned about Fetterman’s mental and physical health following his stroke in 2022.

Fetterman’s health has been a focal point since he suffered a stroke just days before winning the primary for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat in the 2022 midterm elections. The former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor went on to defeat Republican Mehmet Oz in a key Senate victory for Democrats despite the concerns about his health.

New York Magazine’s Intelligencer published an article earlier this month featuring an interview with Fetterman’s former chief of staff Adam Jentleson, who raised concerns about the senator’s health and whether he was following his recovery plan after the stroke.

Fetterman later responded to the article in remarks to CNN‘s Manu Raju.

“My reaction is that it’s a one-source hit piece, and it involved maybe two or three anonymous, disgruntled staffers saying just absolutely false things,” he said.

When asked if he has been keeping up with his recovery plan, Fetterman responded, “My doctors are like ‘John is great.’ I am on all of the plan that it’s always been. It’s incredibly invasive, and why are people talking about peoples’ personal medical things?”

What People Are Saying

Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego shared his confidence in Fetterman’s ability to serve his constituents: “I think the last thing he’ll do is harming working-class families by voting for the reconciliation bill.”

Progressive commentator and journalist Mehdi Hasan wrote on X on Friday: “This email, a year ago, from Fetterman’s former chief of staff, and this entire piece from Ben Terris, makes clear that Fetterman should not be serving in the Senate. Every Senate Democrat should read this and be asked about it – especially Schumer.”

Republican Senator Tom Cotton defended Fetterman on X, formerly Twitter: “The radical left is smearing him with dishonest, vicious attacks because he’s pro-Israel and they only want reliable anti-Israel politicians.”

Republican Senator Dave McCormick: “Stop these vicious, personal attacks against Senator Fetterman, his wife, and his health. He is authentic, decent, principled, and a fighter.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said Fetterman is an: “All-star” who is “doing a good job.”

During a town hall in Pennsylvania on Saturday, Gallego stressed the need for Democrats to maintain a “big tent” approach, warning that: “We got so pure that we started kicking people out of the tent — it ends up there aren’t enough people in the tent to win elections.”

What Happens Next

Fetterman is up for reelection in 2028 in Pennsylvania, which flipped back to Trump in the 2024 presidential race after backing former President Joe Biden in 2020.