Sen. John Fetterman threatens to leave the Democratic Party: ‘If the caucus doesn’t want me, they could just let me know’
Sen. John Fetterman has suggested he could leave the Democratic Party if his colleagues no longer want him in their ranks, as Republicans attempt to openly court him.
John Fetterman threatens to leave the party
“If the Democratic caucus doesn’t want me, they could just let me know,” Fetterman told NBC News, while lamenting “the very anti-Israel party that we’re becoming.”
Fetterman’s comments underscore his increasingly strained relationship with Democrats, particularly over Israel, as he has repeatedly accused members of his party of abandoning the longtime U.S. ally.
Republicans have made it clear they would be willing to welcome Fetterman if he decides to cross the aisle.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the GOP would gladly accept the Pennsylvania Democrat into their conference.
“Yes, we would welcome him,” Thune said. “There are many of us who, I think, would welcome the opportunity to have him join the Republican conference, but ultimately that’s a decision that’s up to him.”
He would become an independent
Fetterman’s frustrations intensified after Republican Rep. Thomas Massie introduced an amendment seeking to cut $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel.
The measure failed, but 103 of 212 House Democrats — including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — supported it.
Despite his growing differences with Democrats, Fetterman has stopped short of saying he would become a Republican.
“If I change my party spontaneously right now, my views and my votes aren’t going to change,” Fetterman told CNN.
If he does leave the Democrats, Fetterman said he would first become an independent rather than immediately join the GOP. He has also declined to discuss details about private conversations Republicans have reportedly had with him.
His party affiliation could become particularly important after November’s elections.
Democrats need to flip four Republican seats to capture the Senate majority. If they succeed, Fetterman would become the crucial 51st vote and potentially determine which party controls the chamber.
A Quinnipiac University poll found 52 percent of Pennsylvania voters want Fetterman to leave the Democratic Party.
Clashing with progressives
Fetterman has repeatedly broken with Democrats on major issues. In June, he joined Senate Republicans in opposing a Democratic resolution seeking to restrict President Donald Trump’s war powers over Iran.
His clashes with the party’s progressive wing have also become increasingly personal.
In a separate interview with CNBC, the senator was asked about Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed recently telling donors he wants to put an “ogre on a pike” — a reference to Fetterman, who fired back, “Yeah, I mean, I never worked out in male modeling, you know — yeah, I mean, you could call me Senator Shrek, whatever. But this guy is really the Pontiac Platner. And now he’s really running to be the head of our emerging pro-Hamas wing here in the party.”