Fetterman chief of staff resigns over senator’s pro-Israel stance

Cabelle St. John reportedly took issue with Fetterman’s pro-Israel stance and willingness to cooperate with Trump.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Sen. John Fetterman’s chief of staff resigned Wednesday, a source familiar with the move told Axios.

Cabelle St. John, who has been part of Fetterman’s team since the Pennsylvania Democrat arrived in Washington about three-and-a-half years ago, is expected to leave the office in the coming weeks, according to the report. She became chief of staff in 2025.

The departure adds to continued turnover within Fetterman’s office during a period in which the senator has drawn attention for both his health struggles and his shifting political profile.

Axios reported that some former aides became increasingly frustrated with Fetterman’s positions following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, particularly his strong support for Israel and his willingness to work with President Trump on some issues.

The report said those stances created tensions with staff members who viewed the senator as moving away from the progressive image that once made him a prominent figure within the Democratic left.

Former aides also described difficulties related to workplace interactions inside the office, according to Axios.

Fetterman dismissed concerns about staff departures in a text message to the outlet.

“So much for the turnover issue. Clicks!” he wrote.

The senator also sent an image comparing staffing retention in his office with what he described as higher turnover rates elsewhere on Capitol Hill.

Fetterman initially did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment before the article was published.

The report described St. John as one of Fetterman’s longest-serving aides, having remained with the senator throughout his time in Washington.

Former staff members pointed specifically to disagreements involving Israel policy and cooperation with Trump as sources of frustration that contributed to departures from the office.

The report did not identify a successor for the chief of staff role or provide additional details about St. John’s plans after leaving Fetterman’s office.