Some of Sen. John Fetterman’s Democratic colleagues defended his standing in the party amid reports that Republicans are recruiting him, insisting that he is a “good human” and that detractors should “show some respect.”
According to an article by NOTUS, the lawmakers said his critics should back off and the party should be more inclusive of his type of independent thinking.
“We should listen to him. He won in a tough state,” Vermont Sen. Peter Welch told the outlet, which called Welch one of Fetterman’s close friends. “We’re quibbling about somebody who speaks his mind and votes with us over 90 percent of the time. I think we should show some respect.”
Progressive Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii said Fetterman is “a good human and a good Democrat” with an independent streak.
“I think we should have a big enough and diverse enough party to not just tolerate that, but hope for it and work for it,” he said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York called Fetterman a “valued Democrat in our caucus.”
The friendly words come as speculation rages about Fetterman’s future and whether he might switch parties or become an independent.
Politico reported that President Donald Trump and other Republicans have made offers to Fetterman to either switch parties or become an independent and caucus with the GOP. That, apparently, prompted Fetterman to write a column in The Washington Post in which he said he has “no plans” to leave the Democratic Party.
All the rumors and hypothetical scenarios have been fueled by Pennsylvania’s senior senator’s constant drumbeat of criticism aimed at his party, much of it in conservative media, and comments and high-profile votes backing President Donald Trump’s agenda.
His latest tactic is to hurl the “Trump Derangement Syndrome” insult at Democrats opposing the president.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who votes with Democrats and who Fetterman patterned his early career after, refused to comment to NOTUS, saying it was a “gossipy issue.”
New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim said he wanted to forge a better relationship with Fetterman.
“I wish the atmosphere (were) more collegial, and we don’t go after each other simply on our differences,” said Kim. “I should do better to get to know him.”
Fetterman’s history of bucking Democrats is well-known, including voting for Trump nominees, opposing Iran war resolutions to constrain Trump’s authority, supporting Israel and the military offensive into Gaza, backing the president’s immigration policies, and, most recently, defending Trump’s White House ballroom and renovation of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
NOTUS highlighted comments from Philadelphia U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, a potential primary challenger to Fetterman in 2028, made on abc27’s “This Week in Pennsylvania.”
“There have been a number of votes that I’ve taken issue with where he has been the only Senate Democrat to side with President Trump or Republicans,” said Boyle. “It is unfortunate to me that almost every day, if not every day, our Democratic senator from this state goes on TV, most often on Fox News, never criticizes President Trump and is always criticizing Democrats.”
Fetterman’s re-election prospects are shaky, at best, considering the historically bad polling numbers he has among Democrats.
NOTUS also reported that Fetterman is “isolated” from Senate Democrats, skipping weekly lunches and hanging out in the Republican cloakroom during a recent voting session.