Sen. John Fetterman has no intention of leaving the Democratic Party — despite growing tensions with its left wing.
The Pennsylvania Democrat’s outspoken support for Israel and his calls to avoid a government shutdown have made him unpopular with some party activists. But when asked whether he might consider switching sides, Mr. Fetterman was unequivocal.
“No,” Mr. Fetterman said on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.” “I am not going to switch.
“I am just going to be an independent voice in the Democratic Party.”
Mr. Fetterman emphasized his commitment to speaking candidly, even if that means defying partisan expectations. “I am not going to be afraid,” he said. “If you want a Democrat that’s going to call people Nazis, or fascists, or all these kinds of things, well, I am not going to be that guy.”
He has diverged from Democratic leadership by urging support for a Republican-backed continuing resolution aimed at keeping the government open. Meanwhile, liberal activists are pushing Democrats to take a more aggressive stance against President Trump and his agenda.
“It is always, always wrong to shut our government down,” Mr. Fetterman said.
He has warned that shuttering the government could open the door for the Trump administration to “remake the government in all kinds of ways” that could hurt people.
Mr. Fetterman’s unwavering support for Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack — which killed an estimated 1,200 people — has further fueled criticism from the left. Many liberal voices have condemned Israel’s military response in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
Mr. Fetterman, however, places the blame squarely on Hamas and Iran.
“Of course, we can all agree [there’s a] tragedy in Gaza. Nobody wants that. But who does want that — and that’s Hamas,” Mr. Fetterman said earlier this year. “I think we should blame Iran and Hamas.”
On Sunday, Mr. Fetterman praised President Trump for his support of Israel and expressed dismay over recent international developments.
He called it “astonishing” that some U.S. allies have recognized Palestinian statehood while Jewish hostages remain in Hamas captivity, reportedly facing torture and starvation.
He also criticized U.N. delegates who walked out during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the General Assembly, questioning how they could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Iran.
“I strongly reject that in the strongest terms,” Mr. Fetterman said.
