Trending Now - PA Supreme Court Justice Exits Democrats Over Antisemitism Concerns
WHO:
Fox News - U.S. Senator John Fetterman stated, “the Democratic Party must confront its own rising antisemitism problem.”
Newsweek - David Wecht stated, “I can no longer abide this,” regarding his departure from the Democratic Party.
Inquirer.com - Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht
Inquirer.com - U.S. Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat
Inquirer.com - Eugene DePasquale, chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party
WHAT:
Fox News - Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police outside a synagogue in Brooklyn, with three arrests reported.
Fox News - Fetterman noted that "mob of Pro-Hezbollah / Hamas" protesters were involved in the clashes outside synagogues in New York City.
Inquirer.com - Wecht is no longer registered with any political party.
Inquirer.com - Wecht's statement included references to “Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions.”
Inquirer.com - David Wecht announced he is leaving the Democratic Party and becoming an independent.
Inquirer.com - Wecht cited “acquiescence to Jew-hatred” as his reason for leaving the party.
Inquirer.com - Wecht won retention for a second 10-year term with 60% of the vote in November.
Inquirer.com - The Pennsylvania Democratic Party and other Democrat-aligned groups spent more than $14 million to retain Wecht and two other justices in 2025.
WHERE:
Inquirer.com - Wecht is from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Inquirer.com - The announcement was made in Pennsylvania.
WHEN:
Inquirer.com - Wecht was retained for a second 10-year term in November.
Inquirer.com - Wecht served as a Superior Court judge for four years before joining the Supreme Court in 2016.
WHY:
Fox News - Wecht cited the growth of antisemitism on the left as a reason for his departure from the Democratic Party, stating, “that same hatred has grown on the left.”
Inquirer.com - Wecht expressed that “that same hatred has grown on the left” since the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting.
Inquirer.com - Wecht stated that the Democratic Party has changed since he was the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s vice chair 25 years ago.
Inquirer.com - Wecht expressed concern over the growth of antisemitism, stating, “Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders, and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party.”
HOW:
Fox News - Fetterman expressed his understanding of Wecht's choice to leave the Democratic Party, stating, “I fully understand David’s personal choice.”
Inquirer.com - Wecht vowed to “vindicate the legal rights that haters and extremists of all stripes enjoy.”
Inquirer.com - Wecht's change in party affiliation followed “many recent events, across the nation.”
(UPDATED May 13, 2026 01:34 UTC)
U.S. Senator John Fetterman has called on the Democratic Party to address its own rising antisemitism problem, following clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and police outside a synagogue in Brooklyn that resulted in three arrests. Fetterman highlighted that a "mob of Pro-Hezbollah / Hamas" protesters were involved in these confrontations in New York City, while also expressing understanding for David Wecht's decision to leave the Democratic Party, citing the growth of antisemitism on the left as a significant factor. Fetterman stated, “I fully understand David’s personal choice,” as the party faces increasing scrutiny over these issues.
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(UPDATED May 12, 2026 23:21 UTC)
David Wecht has announced his departure from the Democratic Party, stating, “I can no longer abide this,” and he is now no longer registered with any political party. In his statement, Wecht highlighted a rise in hatred, referencing “Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions,” which he believes has grown on the left since the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. He also vowed to “vindicate the legal rights that haters and extremists of all stripes enjoy.”
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(UPDATED May 12, 2026 17:41 UTC)
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht has announced that he is leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent, citing what he describes as “acquiescence to Jew-hatred” within the party as his reason for the change. Wecht, who won retention for a second ten-year term with 60% of the vote in November, expressed concern over the growth of antisemitism and remarked that the Democratic Party has changed significantly since he served as its vice chair 25 years ago. His decision follows many recent events across the nation and has drawn attention from notable figures, including U.S. Senator John Fetterman and Eugene DePasquale, chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.