Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

Sean Spicer Says John Fetterman Should ‘Step Down’ And ‘Get The Help That He Needs’

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Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Monday called for Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman to resign and seek medical treatment after an article raising concerns about his mental health.

New York Magazine published a May 2 piece, based on interviews with Fetterman and numerous individuals in his orbit, indicating that the senator exhibited worrisome behavior during an extended mental health crisis, such as conspiratorial thinking, driving recklessly and telling painfully obvious lies. Spicer agreed with a Pennsylvania caller on “The Morning Meeting” who suggested it was hypocritical to criticize the reporting after attacking the people in former President Joe Biden’s orbit for covering up his decline, appearing to disapprove of Republicans who are defending the senator.

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“I think that John Fetterman should get the help that he needs, right? And if he’s not — and two things can be true —and I sincerely, like, if he’s got issues, mental or physical or whatever, I hope to God that he gets the help that he needs,” Spicer said. “But putting him in a position and creating a wall around him that says we can’t criticize him — his own staff is out there— I get let’s not be mean to him, let’s not pile on with him. But at the end of the day, this guy’s representing the state of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

“Get out there and say, ‘Hey dude, you got a Democratic governor. Step down. Go get the help that you need or deserve or whatever.’ Anyway, I’m glad you’re flagging this because you’re absolutely right,” he continued. “And it’s not just the contrast with Biden, which I agree with you on, but just on its face: if somebody’s not capable of serving — and I agree with that on age … Some of these guys who are getting wheeled around so that they can cast votes is ridiculous. And I don’t care what party you’re part of.”

Republican Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick and Republican Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton both posted statements in support of Fetterman on X Friday. They each characterized the “attacks” against the senator as politically motivated.

Fetterman has differed from his Democratic colleagues in the recent past as he was the only member of his party’s caucus to vote to confirm Attorney General Pam Bondi. He also co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act, which mandates federal authorities detain illegal immigrants charged with certain crimes.

Moreover, Fetterman became the first sitting Democratic senator known to have visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence following the November election. The senator has also espoused strong pro-Israel views since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7 2023.