Democratic Sen. John Fetterman condemned anti-war protesters in Philadelphia after video showed demonstrators cheering the deaths of U.S. service members, calling out members of his own party their silence.
“Here in Philadelphia,” Fetterman wrote on X. “Truly appalling. These assholes chanting for the death of our service members. Where’s the Dem outrage and condemnation?”
The remarks came after footage circulated from a “Hands Off Iran” protest in the city, where speakers openly supported militant groups and called for violence against American troops.
Here in Philadelphia.
Truly appalling.
These assholes chanting for the death of our servicemembers.
Where’s the Dem outrage and condemnation? https://t.co/BZ9oH0ryk1
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) March 26, 2026
In one clip, a masked speaker addressed the crowd and drew cheers while delivering a message that praised armed groups in the Middle East and encouraged hostility toward the United States.
“For every US soldier who returns home in a casket, we cheer,” the speaker said.
The same speaker also invoked Hamas, Hezbollah, and other organizations, describing them as forces engaged in what he framed as resistance against Israel.
The rhetoric escalated further when the speaker called for weakening the United States.
“Until we have done everything in our power to bring the United States to its knees, let us not lose sight of the enemy,” he continued.
NOW: "Hands Off Iran" protest held in NYC
Video by @yyeeaahhhboiii2 @FreedomNTV [email protected] to license pic.twitter.com/SFTnxMaoq5
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) June 18, 2025
A separate exchange captured in the video showed the speaker responding angrily when asked about his views.
“May a Hamas rocket blow up your family’s home,” he shot back.
The footage, filmed by a Philadelphia-based activist, spread quickly online and drew attention from lawmakers, including Fetterman, who pointed to the chants as crossing a line.
The protest itself was part amid a surge of demonstrations tied to rising tensions in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
President Donald Trump announced those strikes after negotiations over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs collapsed, setting off a new round of conflict in the region.
Israeli forces later carried out additional airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, hitting facilities tied to uranium processing and weapons development, according to multiple reports.
The Israeli military said the strikes were aimed at disabling missile production capabilities and other elements tied to Iran’s weapons programs.
Meanwhile, militant groups in the region have continued to issue statements reacting to the escalation.
Hamas criticized Iran’s attacks on neighboring countries while also affirming what it described as Iran’s right to respond.
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“While the movement affirms the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond … it calls on its brothers in Iran not to target neighboring countries,” the group stated.
Back in the United States, Fetterman pointed to the protest rhetoric and questioned what he sees as a lack of response from Democrats.
He asked why more members of his party had not publicly condemned the statements captured in the video.
The Pennsylvania senator has increasingly broken with fellow Democrats on issues tied to national security and immigration, often taking positions that put him at odds with party leadership.
That divide surfaced again as he turned to a separate issue involving violent crime.
Fetterman pointed to a recent fatal shooting in Chicago involving a Venezuelan national who had previously been arrested and released.
Authorities charged Jose Medina-Medina, 25, in connection with the killing of a Loyola University student.
Fetterman criticized what he described as a lack of attention from Democrats.
“How many Democrats are talking about that case? I think probably none,” he noted.
He also pushed back on remarks from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who had warned about potential action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
“Lighten up, Francis,” Fetterman said, referencing a line from the film “Stripes.”
He followed that comment by dismissing Krasner’s tone. “You gotta lighten up,” he added.
Fetterman has repeatedly defended the role of ICE, arguing that enforcement remains a core part of public safety.
“If you’re here in the country illegally already, and you’re breaking the law, like — ya gotta go,” he stated.
He added that recent cases highlight why enforcement matters.
“It should remind everybody how important ICE is for our security,” he continued.
His willingness to take those positions has drawn criticism from within his own party.
Fetterman recently backed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, one of the few Democrats to do so.
He also took aim at his party’s direction, saying pressure inside the party is shutting down open debate.
“Oh, we don’t, we don’t have one,” Fetterman said when asked about party leadership. “I think the TDS … that’s the leader right now.”
He pointed to what he sees as pressure within the party to avoid agreement with Republicans.
“It’s made it virtually impossible … to agree something’s good,” he said.
Other Democrats have responded with criticism of their own.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan said she has found it easier to work across the aisle than within her own party.
“I have more success in working with the one on the R side of the aisle than I do with the D side of the aisle,” she remarked.
Rep. Pat Ryan went further, accusing Fetterman of abandoning his constituents.
“Pennsylvanians deserve a Senator that actually fights for them,” Ryan said.
