While Fetterman, who suffered a stroke during his 2022 Senate campaign, shut down questions about his mental fitness amid the relentless reports, it's not the first time a Democrat has been targeted after falling out of line with the party.

A trio of Republican senators came to the defense of their Democratic colleague John Fetterman on Friday, accusing the media of a smear campaign. Why it matters: It's unusual to see this level of public defense for a member of the opposing party.

Alarmed by reports that Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman is behaving erratically and posing a danger to himself, Senate Democrats have been meeting privately to discuss ways to help, the Hill reports.