BREAKING: Fetterman checks himself into Walter Reed for clinical depression

US Senator John Fetterman's Chief of Staff released a statement on Thursday confirming that the Pennsylvania congressman has checked himself into Walter Reed medical center to "receive treatment for clinical depression."



"While John has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks," the statement adds.

"On Monday, John was evaluated by Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. Yesterday, Dr. Monahan recommended inpatient care at Walter Reed. John agreed, and he is receiving treatment on a voluntary basis."

Following the announcement, Fetterman's wife Gisele tweeted, "after what he's been through in the past year, there's probably no one who wanted to talk about his own health less than John. I'm so proud of him for asking for help and getting the care he needs."

Recent news surrounding Fetterman's health has indicated that the Senator is struggling with complications from the stroke he suffered in May of last year. Fetterman has since had difficulty hearing and understanding people's voices

Fetterman was hospitalized on Wednesday last week after feeling lightheaded at a Democratic retreat, and was checked for possible symptoms of seizures. He was being treated at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC.

According to Fetterman's chief of staff Adam Jentleson, "Before the stroke, he was the kind of person who loved the give-and-take with reporters. The challenge is to be able to get back to that place, given the current limitations," he said.

Jentleson claimed that Fetterman was "forced" to forego making a full recovery in order to get back on the campaign trail after having a stroke.

"What you’re supposed to do to recover from this is do as little as possible," the head staffer said. However, according to him, Fetterman apparently "was forced to do as much as possible — he had to get back to the campaign trail."

"It's hard to claw that back," Jentleson added.

Fetterman has attempted to downplay the severity of his health problems in the past. The former mayor defended himself and his physical state to Robert Costa in an interview with CBS News. The interview, which aired just a week before the midterm elections, featured Fetterman stumbling over his words as he attempted to speak clearly.

"Some voters we've spoken to in recent days say they still have some doubts about your health," Costa pointed out. "What would you say to them to convince them otherwise?" 

"I would say we have shown more and shared more kinds of medical evaluation," Fetterman replied, "more than virtually anyone unless you're running for the president."

"I've been campaigning all across Pennsylvania," he continued, "been in front of thousands and thousands of people, and we've been trying to be very very transparent."

"I'm sitting within a chair with you right now to have this conversation," he told Costa, "and really just address the fact that I'm absolutely fit to serve."

Fetterman's health was also criticized by podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan, who said that the now-Senator looked "clearly compromised" during his debate with Republican candidate Mehmet Oz. 

"Why did they think they could put him out there on a huge stage like that?" Rogan asked, adding, "This is not against the guy. I don't know anything about this guy. I really don't. I just know he's the Democratic candidate. But what you're seeing is a guy that has a problem with his brain. That guy should be rehabilitating. He shouldn't be forced into a high-stress job in a public display... It's humiliating." 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.