Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Urges Sen. Fetterman to Stick to Democratic Role

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro expressed frustration with Sen. John Fetterman, a fellow Democrat from the state, and called on him to return to his original role.

Shapiro made the comments during a CNN appearance this week. He faces speculation as a 2028 Democratic presidential contender. Reports have surfaced that Fetterman faces pressure to leave the party.

"Look, I don’t know what Sen. Fetterman is going to do," Shapiro told CNN’s Jake Tapper. "I know that Pennsylvanians voted for a Democrat to represent them in the United States Senate."

"So, I think he needs to honor that and continue with his service to Pennsylvania, and, hopefully, get back to what he was elected to do and reflect the will of the people," he added.

Fetterman and Shapiro no longer speak, according to Fetterman’s book "Unfettered," published last November. The senator described their relationship as having turned into an "ugliness" from which they have not recovered.

Fetterman has drawn controversy for supporting parts of President Donald Trump’s agenda. He is one of six Democratic senators from states Trump won in 2024.

Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote to advance Trump’s nominee for Department of Homeland Security, former Sen. Markwayne Mullin. Last year, during the government shutdown battle, he sided with Republicans to reopen the government, calling it "country over party."

In 2025, Fetterman voted with Republicans about 26% of the time, per Congress Vote Tracker.

Shapiro voiced similar concerns on the "Talk Easy" podcast with Sam Fragoso. "I’ve got no beef with John," he said, but added, "John’s got a lot of questions that I think he needs to answer for the people of Pennsylvania."

"I think there’s a lot of people who want to know kind of what happened, why he does some of the things he does," Shapiro continued.

In February, Shapiro would not commit to supporting Fetterman’s potential 2028 re-election bid. "I don't know if he's running for re-election. I think he needs to decide if he's running, and then we'll make a decision from there,"

Other Democratic leaders have criticized Fetterman too. DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta called him "a mess" in an April X post. "Almost every day now my US Senator comes on this site to attack his constituents and many people who worked hard to elect him. Suggesting that they have 'derangement syndrome' for opposing this administration. You’re a mess @JohnFetterman,"

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., rebuked Fetterman over his stance on the war in Iran. Jeffries said on CNN in April that Fetterman "knows better."

Politico reported Monday that Republicans are urging Fetterman to switch parties. Fetterman responded, "I’m a Democrat, and I’m staying one."

Fox News Digital sought comment from Fetterman and Shapiro.