Senator John Fetterman recently criticized what he described as the “unhinged petulance” displayed by his Democratic colleagues during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress. The event saw Democrats engaging in various forms of protest, including wearing pink, holding up signs, heckling, and walking out early. Fetterman commented, “A sad cavalcade of self-owns and unhinged petulance,” in response to a story from Politico that highlighted the failure of the protest. He expressed his belief that these actions inadvertently cast Trump in a more “presidential and restrained” light.
Moreover, he emphasized, “We’re becoming the metaphorical car alarms that nobody pays attention to—and it may not be the winning message.” Fetterman’s candid appraisal underscores his perspective that such protests only serve to undermine the Democrats’ credibility and effectiveness, especially as they attempt to navigate a fragmented media landscape after a challenging election cycle.
The Politico article elaborated on the situation, noting that Trump mocked Democrats with a grin, saying, “nothing I can say or do to make them happy.” The Democrats responded primarily with silent protest, holding signs with slogans like “FALSE” and “Save Medicaid.” Some even revealed shirts with “No Kings Live Here” as they walked out early. Such actions have been emblematic of the larger difficulties facing Democrats, who found themselves out of power and struggling to communicate effectively.
The Democratic response to Trump’s address, delivered by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, did receive coverage on major networks, but much of the message failed to resonate with voters, highlighting the Democrats’ struggle to reach audiences through traditional media avenues.
A sad cavalcade of self owns and unhinged petulance.
It only makes Trump look more presidential and restrained.
We’re becoming the metaphorical car alarms that nobody pays attention to—and it may not be the winning message. pic.twitter.com/hNgX7ouLjX
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) March 5, 2025
Fetterman’s remarks are indicative of his desire to position himself as a moderate voice, despite his voting record showing opposition to most of Trump’s cabinet nominees and his recent vote against a bill that would have prevented biological men from competing in women’s sports. Nonetheless, he made efforts to reach out to Trump following the latter’s election victory. He visited Mar-a-Lago for a meeting, stating, “I am not the senator for just Democrats in Pennsylvania. I’m everyone’s senator in Pennsylvania.” In doing so, Fetterman illustrated his willingness to engage in dialogue across political lines, emphasizing the importance of conversation.
John Fetterman is no moderate. https://t.co/46TKMY6IvY
— Ben Kew (@ben_kew) March 4, 2025
Fetterman’s stance hints at a broader discourse on issues such as illegal immigration and crime, where Democrats often face criticism for perceived leniency. In contrast, Trump’s policies have been praised by supporters for emphasizing national security and the rule of law.