An open letter to Senator John Fetterman

March 3, 2026

Sen. John Fetterman
142 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Fetterman:

It is difficult writing this letter. I was extraordinarily happy when you were elected. I defended you both on social media and in Democratic circles in Gettysburg.

It bothered me that for many people, your pro-Israel position overshadowed all the other good legislation you introduced and supported. Your pro-labor bills exceeded expectations. And I appreciated that you are the only person representing Adams County and surrounding agricultural counties on the Senate’s agricultural committee. Neither of our Congressional representatives sits on the equivalent House committee.

Recently, however, your trend to supporting untenable executive actions worries me. I’m moving away from wholehearted support. I mean, you’re still better than a Republican. But I am keeping my guard up.

Specifically to Iran: You may be baffled why reasonable people do not support Trump et al’s actions. Here are a few good reasons.

It’s bad enough to ignore Congress for a military strike in Venezuela. It’s a whole other—horrendous—ball of wax to ignore Congress for what Trump and Hegseth are calling a war, with the anticipation that the “war” will last quite a while.
How does President Trump, how does Congress, intend to pay for this extended war? By cutting more benefits to U.S. citizens?
What gives the United States of America the right to wage war with the intention of regime change? Yes, the Ayatollah is an authoritarian and a tyrant. So is Vladimir Putin. So is Xi Jinping. For that matter, so are Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Narendra Damodardas Modi, and Viktor Mihály Orbán. Are we going to start bombing everyone who is an authoritarian and tyrant?
What is the end game here? Succession plan? Support for the Iranian people after we decimate their country?
You do realize that the Ayatollah did not terrorize his people alone. How does the United States intend to deal with the deep, deep layer of leadership? You sit on the Foreign Relations committee. You know this. Why are you pretending otherwise?
How do we intend to fund the rebuilding of what we destroy, both in Gaza and now in Iran?
Do we intend to fund the rebuilding of wealthy countries like Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia that sustain damage from our war?
How many U.S. (and other) casualties are acceptable for a nothing burger?
How do you intend to hold President Trump and Secretary Hegseth responsible for lack of adequate planning, absence of clear goals, and failure to plan an exit strategy?
Why do you ignore the clear breach of national security as President Trump and his staff used an unsecure curtained-off area at his country club (instead of a secure situation room) for initial strikes on Iran? Shouldn’t someone ask why none of the usual measures were put place as bombings were ordered?
If the Ayatollah’s human rights violations were significant enough (in your opinion) to warrant bombing the country and assassinating him, what do you intend to do about human rights violations right here in the USA? Exhibit A, the murder of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and others. Exhibit B, “arrests” of immigrants and U.S. citizens without due process, without respect for the Fourth Amendment, without habeas corpus?
If the Ayatollah’s violations of freedom of speech were significant enough (in your opinion) to warrant bombing the country and assassinating him, why do you tolerate censorship in the USA, specifically as our president strong-arms the FCC, which is an independent agency and not part of the executive branch?
What do you as Senator from Pennsylvania see as the upside for your constituents?

Please feel free to respond publicly, either you yourself or one of your legislative aides. Or respond to this letter.

You are losing the few people who stood by you as many Democrats worried about your loyalty to the Constitution early on. I’d rather have the old Fetterman back. The one who promoted our freedoms, who didn’t kowtow to Trump, who had a good working relationship with Republican colleagues while not caving to their ideology.

From where I sit, your caving to extremist ideology is a bridge too far.

I hope to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Denise Elaine Heap
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Note #1: I want to add that it is frustrating to me as a Democrat that Senator Fetterman has this single blind spot, along with his willingness to do obeisance to the president. On legislative matters, Fetterman remains more Democrat than most, with strong support for labor unions, LGBTQIA+ and women's rights, and a rational approach to other matters of international policy.

Iran and Trump seem to be his two enormous blind spots. Because of those blind spots, I had to amend my "introduction" to Senator Fetterman on this site.

Note #2: I did not hear from Senator Fetterman.

Comments worth keeping

Just as I can’t believe that we watched little girls die at Camp Mystic and still have zero climate action, I can’t believe that my tax dollars just paid to kill 146 little girls at their school in Iran. It isn’t covered by our domestic media. While most here write it off as US-Israeli incompetence, I’m certain that many in Iran view it as malevolence. Either way, it is a war crime.

--Ryan Kerney, March 5, 2026.

Excellent, Denise. I hope this gets beyond his aides and that he himself sees it. It would be hard for him to look past such a carefully crafted, well-written letter without being affected.

--Sodak, March 4, 2026.

This is spot on not only in terms of “Questioning” Fetterman but also in terms of laying out a good laundry list of issues right now. Thank you! I hope you get a reply from Fetterman or a representative.

--Sylvia G, March 4, 2026.

When someone turns another direction once elected is a tough one…..Fetterman has gone too far. It’s a real disappointment.

--PJ Hinton, March 4, 2026.

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Image credits: Top photo--Government photo, so public domain. I want this Fetterman back. The guy who stood with striking UAW workers. I doubt the current iteration of Fetterman would do so. Bottom photo--Capitol building, March 2025. Photo © 2025 Denise Elaine Heap. Please contact me for permission to use.

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