Embattled Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is in hot water after a bombshell Wall Street Journal article featuring text messages purportedly from him complaining about attending the funeral ceremonies of three slain cops. The article, published today, has already drawn heavy criticism of Fetterman online.
On Sept 17 2025, three Northern York County Regional Police detectives, Cody Becker, Mark Baker, and Isaiah Emenheiser, were killed in an ambush while serving an arrest warrant in a stalking/domestic case in York County, Pennsylvania (near Fetterman’s hometown). Two other officers were wounded.
The suspect was later identified as Matthew Ruth, who was wanted for allegedly stalking his ex-girlfriend while wearing camouflage gear and brandishing an AR-15. The deaths saw widespread local mourning, with the department saying: “Yesterday was a dark and heartbreaking day for the Northern York County Regional Police Department and for all of York County.”
“It’s a very formal ceremony and the equivalent of 3 separate funerals”
The community gathered for a formal ceremony on Sept 25, consisting of honors, eulogies, and a procession. Governor Josh Shapiro attended to pay his respects, but Fetterman was nowhere to be seen. Now we may know why.
The WSJ has published screenshots of text messages between Fetterman and an aide, in which the Senator appears to be annoyed that he’s expected to spend three whole hours honoring fallen cops. His aide explains that “the organizers are requiring everyone to be seated by 11:00 am and the funeral will begin at noon and last at least 3 hours. The dress code is formal.”
Fetterman’s response: “3 hours??”. The aide responds, “Yes it’s a very formal ceremony and the equivalent of 3 separate funerals.” Fetterman: “This may be a non-starter”.
Fetterman so casually dismissing attending the ceremony has left observers shocked, with one describing that move as “a career-ending image for Fetterman. Holy s–t” and another dubbing it “an absolute career killer“. Unfortunately for Fetterman, the rest of the article doesn’t make him look any better.
There are also text messages showing Fetterman snubbing a meeting with the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania over Medicaid cuts. Fetterman complains that he keeps “having to meet” with them, to which an aide points out that they’re worried about Medicaid and vaccines. Fetterman: “Well I’m not.” In another account, three paralyzed veterans in wheelchairs arrived at Fetterman’s office for a scheduled meeting, only for Fetterman to allegedly feign illness so he could go on Fox News and discuss Israel.
Neither Fetterman nor his office has released a statement on The Wall Street Journal‘s report, which comes as pressure is heaped upon him after criticism of his support of Israel and damaging reports about his competency.
Published: Sep 4, 2026 04:15 am