John Fetterman suit funeral look marks rare break from hoodie
John Fetterman wore a suit and tie as lawmakers headed to Lindsey Graham’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
John Fetterman suit funeral chatter hit Capitol Hill on Tuesday after the Pennsylvania senator showed up in a jacket, dress shirt, tie and trousers, a sharp break from the hoodie-and-shorts look that has become his political uniform.
TMZ DC reported that Fetterman was dressed formally while lawmakers gathered to board buses for the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham. The outlet’s video showed reporter Charlie Cotton asking Fetterman how it felt to dress up for once.
According to TMZ DC, Fetterman answered in his usual dry style, giving little indication that the more traditional outfit had changed the man wearing it. Cotton also told him the suit worked, while saying he still preferred the hoodie.
Why did John Fetterman wear a suit?
Fetterman wore the suit while joining other lawmakers traveling to Graham’s funeral, according to TMZ DC. The service was set for Washington National Cathedral, a formal setting where national political figures were expected to gather.
The brief exchange also touched on whether Fetterman’s dressed-up look might stick. TMZ DC reported that Fetterman did not shut down the possibility, and he also mentioned a possible middle ground: the growing habit of wearing suits with shorts.
Fetterman’s clothing has been a recurring point of attention in Washington because he is often seen in casual wear rather than the standard suit-and-tie uniform associated with the Senate. Tuesday’s appearance stood out for that reason, even as the occasion itself was somber.
Who was expected at Lindsey Graham’s funeral?
TMZ DC reported that Fetterman joined lawmakers heading to Washington National Cathedral, where President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were expected to honor Graham.
Fox News also carried video from the memorial coverage, described as Washington remembering Graham at his service.
Graham died on July 11 at age 71, TMZ previously reported. The outlet said his death was caused by a tear in his aorta related to heart disease.
TMZ also reported that Graham was scheduled to be laid to rest Wednesday in South Carolina.
The day’s visual surprise was Fetterman, a senator known for rejecting the usual Capitol wardrobe, standing with other lawmakers in formal attire as Washington said goodbye to Graham. Whether that means more suits are coming from him remains, by his own reported reaction, an open question.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.