Senator John Fetterman arrives in a hoodie and shorts for Trump’s inauguration

On By Littum

Well, it was cold.

Late. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) arrived at the Capitol for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in a black hoodie, gray gym shorts and sneakers — staying true to his traditional fashion style, despite the freezing temperatures outside.

Everyone else was seen wearing formal attire.

Late. John Fetterman attended the inauguration in a black hoodie, gray shorts and sneakers. ReutersLate. John Fetterman attended the inauguration in a black hoodie, gray shorts and sneakers. Reuters

Late. John Fetterman attended the inauguration in a black hoodie, gray shorts and sneakers. Reuters

US Senator John Fetterman (2nd L) arrives for the inauguration ceremony where Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, January 20, 2025. AFP via Getty ImagesUS Senator John Fetterman (2nd L) arrives for the inauguration ceremony where Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, January 20, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

US Senator John Fetterman (2nd L) arrives for the inauguration ceremony where Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th US President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, January 20, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

Temperatures in the nation’s capital hovered around 20 degrees with a wind chill in the teens when the senator entered the Capitol. Washington, DC, declared a cold weather emergency ahead of Inauguration Day and the installation ceremony was moved indoors due to the potentially hazardous weather.

But that didn’t deter Fetterman, 55 — who has long had a penchant for strutting through the Capitol, black-tie dinners and other formal public settings in a hoodie and shorts — from sticking to his signature look.

He also didn’t seem to mind the cold as he drove through the cold weather and entered the legislative building.

There have been a few exceptions throughout his tenure in the Senate where Fetterman has been forced to actually dress like a senator — something that is typically a suit and tie situation.

For example, when presiding over Senate business, Fetterman reluctantly dons a smart suit and tie in keeping with the upper chamber’s policy.

Late. John Fetterman, D-Pa., arrives before the 60th presidential inauguration in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. APLate. John Fetterman, D-Pa., arrives before the 60th presidential inauguration in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. AP

Late. John Fetterman, D-Pa., arrives before the 60th presidential inauguration in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. AP

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in 2023 tried to adjust the rules for Fetterman, but ultimately backed down in response to pushback from other senators.

Last year, during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, Fetterman dusted off a tuxedo hoodie.

But the initiation didn’t motivate him to go the tuxedo-hoodie route.

Fetterman has emerged as one of the most Trump-friendly Democrats in the Senate.

The hulking 6-foot-8-inch Keystone State senator descended on Mar-a-Lago last week and met with Trump.

“I’m not just a senator for Democrats — I’m a senator for all Pennsylvanians,” he said of the visit.

After the meeting, Trump praised Fetterman as a “commonsense person” in an interview with the Washington Examiner.

Fetterman has signaled openness to crossing party lines and supporting some of Trump’s picks for his Cabinet and other key administration roles.