John Fetterman to skip DNC, Jill and Joe Biden won’t stick around for Kamala’s coronation

According to CNN, after Monday night is over, the president will be leaving Chicago for a vacation in Southern California and then the attention of the convention will turn to Harris for the remainder of the week. Tim Walz will address the convention on Wednesday, but Harris will give her acceptance speech on Thursday, per the Alabama Reflector.

According to The Free Press, Fetterman will not be attending altogether, saying that he will instead be opting to spend time with his kids. Fetterman told the outlet that the decision to skip the convention altogether has nothing to do with concerns over Israel. Although the Pennsylvania senator has been staunchly pro-Israel during his time in office, he said the decision was made prior to the Trump-Biden debate in June.

On Oct. 7, 2023, when the attacks from Hamas on Israel took place, Fetterman posted, "I forcefully condemn these cowardly, horrifying, unprovoked attacks on Israel by Hamas. Attacking innocent civilians is particularly despicable and reflects the craven behavior of this terrorist group. I unequivocally stand with the people of Israel now, and always.”

He added in his interview with The Free Press, referring to the large number of young people who have taken on the cause of protesting against Israel, “I’ve been frustrated by some of my members and how they’ve chosen to handle that situation." He did not specify which members of Congress he was talking about at the time.

The roughly 100,000-strong group of activists has plans to march on the DNC for the week. Some even came on Sunday to protest on the eve of the events kicking off on Monday.

A speaker talking to a crowd with some waving Palestine flags, cheered abortion access and encouraged those present to "go get abortion pills!" Some businesses in Chicago have already boarded up their workplaces in preparation for possible unrest.