Senate Democrat’s top official resigns amid investigation of ties to Israel ally
In the post less than a year, she was the last original staffer in his office.
Mason Reed 
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is facing more turnover within his inner circle. Cabelle St. John, the senator's chief of staff, resigned on Wednesday, marking the latest exit in an office that has seen significant instability among its ranks.
A Departure Amid Controversy
St. John, who had served as the top official in Fetterman’s office since June, was the final original staffer remaining from the senator's 2023 arrival in the Senate. Her exit follows reports from Axios indicating deep-seated frustrations within the office.
At the heart of the internal tension is the reported influence of David “Dovi” Safier. According to reporting by New York Magazine, Safier—a fundraiser for Orthodox Jewish causes—has gained outsized influence over the senator. Sources claim Safier has even sat in on sensitive high-level discussions, including calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Political Shifts and Staff Turmoil
Fetterman has faced intense backlash from progressive Democrats over his steadfast support for Israel during the ongoing war in Gaza. This policy stance, paired with an increasingly independent voting record, has strained his relationship with his own political base. The senator has frequently broken from his party, recently providing the deciding vote to block a bipartisan effort aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s war powers. Fetterman later told Semafor that he remains locked and loaded on his views regarding the conflict.
These departures are not the first of their kind. St. John rose to the chief of staff role after a previous predecessor left amid internal concerns regarding the senator’s physical and mental health. These concerns were famously highlighted in a 2025 New York Magazine piece, in which former chief of staff Adam Jentleson publicly questioned Fetterman’s trajectory and well-being. Fetterman dismissed that reporting as a hit piece, labeling the accounts as fabrications by disgruntled staff.
Looking Toward 2028
As Fetterman’s profile continues to shift, recent polling suggests he currently holds higher favorability ratings among Pennsylvania Republicans than among Democrats. This has sparked speculation about potential primary challenges for his 2028 reelection bid. Names like former U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb and current U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio and Brendan Boyle have been floated as potential contenders. Boyle notably signaled an openness to a challenge, telling Semafor in March that he does not rule anything out.
As of Wednesday, Fetterman’s office has not provided a comment on the vacancy left by St. John.
