Senator John Fetterman has made his stance clear: he will not support Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or former Representative Tulsi Gabbard for cabinet positions in President Donald Trump’s administration. The Pennsylvania Democrat took to social media on Thursday night to announce his opposition, stating that after reviewing their qualifications, he would be voting no on both confirmations.
Trump’s selection of Kennedy to head the Department of Health and Human Services and Gabbard to serve as Director of National Intelligence has been a source of controversy from the start.
Kennedy, once a Democratic presidential candidate, shifted to an independent bid before ultimately endorsing Trump in 2024. Gabbard, meanwhile, has undergone her own political transformation—running as a Democrat in 2020 before later denouncing the party and officially joining the GOP in 2024.
When it comes down to the important issues, Fetterman votes in lockstep with far left Democrats every time.
He also opposed Pete Hegseth during his confirmation vote.
Stop falling for his fake moderate grift. https://t.co/tTWlbij8on
— BowTiedRanger (@BowTiedRanger) February 7, 2025
Fetterman’s announcement did not go unnoticed. Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s former running mate, fired back with an unfiltered critique of the senator’s famously casual wardrobe and demeanor. Calling him a “lazy slob,” she questioned his ability to make critical national decisions when, in her words, he “can’t even manage to dress himself.” The comment quickly gained traction, reigniting debates over Fetterman’s unorthodox approach to Senate decorum.
While Kennedy and Gabbard have drawn criticism from establishment figures in both parties, their nominations underscore Trump’s broader effort to bring in figures who, like him, have clashed with traditional party lines.
Gabbard’s appointment to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies, in particular, signals a shift in Trump’s approach to national security—one that prioritizes loyalty to his administration over Washington’s entrenched political norms.
Fetterman’s opposition to Kennedy and Gabbard is part of a broader pattern. He also voted against Russell Vought’s confirmation as director of the Office of Management and Budget, citing concerns over Project 2025, a controversial plan linked to conservative policy initiatives. Despite Democratic resistance, Vought was confirmed by a 53-47 vote, securing his return to a position he previously held under Trump’s first term.
“Last year, I called out the dangers of Project 2025 and the damage it’d do to our country,” Fetterman wrote, referencing the policy blueprint embraced by Trump-aligned conservatives. “Americans were assured the Trump team had no ties to it—then nominated one of its authors to lead OMB. My view has not changed and I will be a hard NO on Mr. Vought.”