U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) sits at his seat before voting to advance the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 19, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The left’s long‑simmering anger and increasingly fraught relationship with Democratic Senator John Fetterman boiled over on Thursday, when the Pennsylvania Democrat cast the deciding vote to advance Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination for Secretary of Homeland Security out of committee and toward a full confirmation vote.
Democrats have provided numerous reasons they, unlike Fetterman, oppose Senator Mullin’s nomination. They cite Mullin’s lack of qualifications: he is the only current U.S. Senator without a bachelor’s degree, he has no national security or law enforcement experience — he ran his family’s plumbing business before being elected to Congress in 2012. And they cite his temperament.
The nonpartisan Union of Concerned Scientists called Mullin “uniquely unqualified to lead the third largest federal department with a half a million employees, nine agencies including ICE, FEMA and the Coast Guard among others, and roughly a $100 billion budget.”
And the Republican chair of the Homeland Security Committee, Rand Paul, said on Wednesday that Mullin “applauds violence” against his political opponents.
But Senator Fetterman on Thursday had a different perception of Mullin.
Explaining why he voted yes, Fetterman wrote, “I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind.”
Critics noted that he had immediately declared his support as soon as Mullin’s nomination was announced, saying last week, “I will vote for him, of course.”
Fetterman added Thursday that his “AYE” vote is “rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security.”
Fox News quickly reposted Fetterman’s remarks.
Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts asked, “Can Pennsylvanians sue him for impersonating a Democrat?”
Democratic strategist Jon Cooper commented, “As someone who strongly backed John Fetterman‘s run for the Senate in 2022, I’m sorry to say that he’s an absolute disgrace. I’ll support whoever challenges him in the 2028 primary.”
The Pennsylvania Working Families Party called for Fetterman to be primaried.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, after his fellow Pennsylvania lawmaker’s vote to advance Mullin, wrote: “Once again Sen Fetterman shows why he is Trump’s favorite Democrat. He needs to go.”