Several Of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman’s Top Staffers Resign After He Declares He’s ‘Not Woke’

Three key communication staffers in Sen. John Fetterman‘s (D-Pennsylvania) office have resigned and moved on to other left-leaning politicians within one month due to Fetterman’s stances on issues such as Israel and immigration.

Joe Calvello, formerly the director of communications for Fetterman’s Senate office and his 2022 campaign, has joined Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson‘s office as the chief strategy officer. Calvello expressed his excitement in a statement released by the City of Chicago, “It’s an absolute honor and a privilege to come to Chicago and serve the people of this great city.”

Nicholas Gavio, Fetterman’s deputy communication director, announced on X that he would be assuming the role of mid-Atlantic communications director for the Working Families Party. Gavio had previously worked on Fetterman’s 2022 campaign and in the office of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).

The Working Families Party is a progressive minor political party that advocates for policies such as raising the minimum wage, increasing taxes on the affluent and implementing environmental and educational reforms. The party has been associated with prominent Democratic politicians, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York).

Emma Mustion, Fetterman’s press and digital aide, announced her decision to join Sen. Bob Casey‘s (D-Pennsylvania) campaign office as a press secretary on X earlier this month. Mustion had also worked on Fetterman’s 2022 Senate campaign.

Other Democrats have increasingly questioned Fetterman’s commitment to Democratic policies. In an interview with Fox News, he recently stated that he does not identify as a “progressive.” He added, “I am not woke.”

He criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her statement that Israel carrying out an offensive without U.S. approval would be a “huge mistake.”

“Hard disagree,” Fetterman wrote on X, “Israel has the right to prosecute Hamas to surrender or to be eliminated. Hamas owns every innocent death for their cowardice hiding behind Palestinian lives.” 

In October, shortly after the attack, Calvello shared a screenshot on X of an office-wide email discussing the office’s guidelines for sharing social media posts that did not align with Fetterman’s positions. The email stated, “However, if you want to sign onto something entirely anonymous – including NOT identifying you as a Fetterman staffer in any way – that is in bounds if you so choose…The distinction here is that you cannot use your status as a current Fetterman staffer to undermine John’s position or otherwise make a public statement that is inconsistent with John’s views.”

The email stressed the office’s need to “work together as a team.”