Welcome to the online edition of From the Politics Desk, your go-to evening newsletter that delivers the latest insights and analysis from the NBC News Politics team. Our coverage spans crucial areas such as the White House, Capitol Hill, and the campaign trail. In today’s issue, we focus on Senator John Fetterman and his increasingly isolated position in the Senate. Additionally, Kristen Welker offers a preview of her upcoming interview with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on this Sunday’s “Meet the Press.” Be sure to sign up to receive this newsletter directly in your inbox every weekday.
Today, we dive into a compelling report by Allan Smith, Sahil Kapur, Scott Wong, and Frank Thorp V, which sheds light on Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa. Based on interviews with 18 former staffers, Pennsylvania officials, and other congressional lawmakers, the story reveals that Fetterman is becoming increasingly isolated and absent from his duties, both in Washington and back in Pennsylvania.
Fetterman's behavior has come under renewed scrutiny following a recent article in New York Magazine, which raised concerns regarding his mental health. Many Democrats express frustration over his apparent disconnect from party goals, particularly in standing up to Trump and his policies. Key highlights from the report illustrate Fetterman's reluctance to engage with colleagues, including his refusal to speak with senior senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., who sought to discuss an important defense secretary nomination.
Sources indicate that Fetterman was described as "rude and dismissive" during interactions with fellow senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., regarding a controversial Republican bill aimed at penalizing the International Criminal Court. This behavior has raised concerns about his commitment to his Senate responsibilities.
According to GovTrack, Fetterman missed 77 out of 381 votes from April 2024 to March 2025, placing him in the upper echelon of senators for missed votes. He has also skipped 25 of the 26 hearings conducted by the Senate Commerce Committee this year, attending his first hearing only after the publication of the concerning article. In total, he has missed all nine meetings of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and all 11 sessions of the Senate Agriculture Committee this year.
A House Democratic lawmaker from Pennsylvania noted that they have had no contact with Fetterman in recent months, further highlighting his isolation.
As Americans prepare for a busy summer travel season, reports of issues at Newark Liberty International Airport have raised concerns among travelers. Early Friday, radar screens serving the airport experienced a blackout lasting 90 seconds, following a series of communication lapses between air traffic controllers and aircraft. Such incidents have resulted in significant delays at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
In response to these pressing issues, I spoke with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for this Sunday’s episode of “Meet the Press.” Duffy reassured Americans about aircraft safety and the overall security of the country’s airspace, emphasizing that it remains the "safest" in the world. However, he acknowledged that there is no quick fix for the infrastructure challenges that Newark faces.
Duffy indicated that a specific solution for Newark should be in place by the end of summer, but noted that broader air traffic modernization efforts, announced on Thursday, will take three years to implement. He underscored the urgent need for attention to the aging infrastructure, stating, “This is a system that’s, what — 25 at best, sometimes 50 years old.”
Don’t miss more insights from Duffy this Sunday, along with exclusive interviews featuring Senators John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
In other political news, key Trump adviser Stephen Miller revealed that the administration is currently exploring ways to eliminate due process protections for unauthorized immigrants residing in the U.S. Additionally, Trump’s recent proposal to increase taxes on wealthy Americans faces significant backlash from within the Republican Party, with many questioning the seriousness of the proposal.
Moreover, four New York Republicans have issued a strong statement rejecting a proposal from Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., concerning the expansion of state and local tax deductions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent informed congressional leaders that the U.S. is likely to reach its debt ceiling by August. Trump has also expressed a willingness to reconsider the current 145% tariff on China ahead of upcoming trade negotiations, suggesting an 80% tariff might be appropriate.
In an unexpected move, Trump terminated Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, marking the first time a woman and an African American held the position. Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel has faced scrutiny for a lighter schedule focused on public appearances rather than intelligence briefings.
We appreciate the feedback from our readers! This week’s question comes from Frank Mona III: “Will the Democrats find a single standard bearer nationally, or will it remain a collection of governors and legislative leaders with overlapping messages?” To answer this, we consulted national political reporter Ben Kamisar.
Kamisar pointed out that historically, a political party typically lacks a single standard-bearer unless it has a sitting president or a presidential nominee. Without such unifying leadership, various factions within the party emerge, each vying for prominence. On the Democratic side, figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have energized the left, while leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer represent the party’s establishment. This fragmentation is likely to continue until the 2028 presidential nomination process gains momentum.
In today’s roundup of political news:
Pope Leo XIV has participated in three Republican primary elections since 2012, according to Illinois voting records. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., mentioned considering a presidential run during his visit to Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Illinois Senate race has attracted a crowded field of Democrats, with attention on Gov. JB Pritzker and its implications for his presidential aspirations. Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is contemplating a run for governor in 2026. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested at an ICE detention facility on trespassing charges. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor urged legal professionals to stand firm amid challenges from the Trump administration. Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter passed away at the age of 85.Stay informed with live updates on our politics blog. That concludes today’s edition of From the Politics Desk. This newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner. We welcome your feedback at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com. If you enjoy our content, please share it widely and encourage others to sign up!
