Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said he has no plans to leave the Democratic Party but warned that he would depart if the party were to formally adopt what he described as an anti-Israel position, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Speaking Wednesday at the Hill Nation Summit in Washington, D.C., Fetterman said support for Israel remains one of his clearest political principles and expressed concern about what he views as the Democratic Party’s changing direction on the issue.
“My long-term concern has been with the Democratic Party, as I am a member of that, is that our party is going to back away and turn their back to Israel,” Fetterman said.
“If our party ever becomes, and just makes it official, the anti-Israel party, that’s when I would leave because that’s been a moral clarity for me.”
Fetterman’s comments come as he continues to distance himself from several positions embraced by progressive Democrats.
Since taking office on Jan. 3, 2023, after his election in 2022, the Pennsylvania senator has increasingly broken with his party on several high-profile issues while maintaining that he remains a Democrat.
Earlier this month, Fetterman and fellow Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., launched a bipartisan joint fundraising political action committee called “Common Ground PA,” according to Federal Election Commission filings.
The committee is designed to split donor contributions between each senator’s campaign and leadership committees.
In a May opinion article, Fetterman wrote that his governing philosophy has remained consistent even as he believes the Democratic Party has shifted.
“Though I was elected as a Democrat, I’m proud to serve all Pennsylvanians. It has become increasingly lonely to serve in that way, but I firmly believe it’s what is needed.”
“My party cannot simply be the opposite of whatever President Donald Trump says. The president could come out for ice cream and lazy Sundays, and my party would suddenly hate them. Such pointless pile-ons and attacks are unproductive. The American people want us to work together to find solutions on issues they and our country face.”
In that same piece, Fetterman identified several issues where he believes he differs from many members of his party, including Israel, open borders, party toxicity, what he called an anti-Trump reflex, government shutdowns, defunding the police, unwillingness to work across the aisle, candidate vetting, and opposition to voter identification requirements.
At Wednesday’s summit, Fetterman said the Democratic Party’s stance on Israel has become an increasing concern.
“You look at the kinds of individuals that are winning our recent primaries,” he said. “It’s becoming more… anti-Israel and hostile to people.”
Although he declined to discuss what he called private conversations with Republicans regarding a possible party switch, Fetterman reiterated what he wrote in May—that if he were ever to leave the Democratic Party, he would first become an independent.
“Being an independent voice that works with the other side to deliver for Pennsylvanians might put me at odds with the party that I have stayed committed to and have no plans to leave — but I will continue to put the commonwealth and the country first,” he wrote.
“Plus, I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats.”
Fetterman also recently opposed an amendment from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., that would eliminate $3.3 billion in annual security assistance to Israel, another indication of his continued support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.
The Pennsylvania senator also voiced concern over Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, pointing to Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign and suggesting Democrats could face a more difficult general election if El-Sayed secures the nomination against former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.
“Rogers just barely, barely lost in ’24,” Fetterman said.
“If El-Sayed wins, then that puts Michigan much more in play for us and would require us to spend more money. What’s defined El-Sayed is the more anti-Israel and hostile-to-Israel thing.”
Fetterman also criticized progressive candidates over previous support for the “defund the police” movement, arguing Democrats risk repeating mistakes he believes contributed to the party’s losses in the 2024 election.
“Now here’s more Democrats to ‘defund the police,’” he said.
“Here we are back to part of the worst impulses that we just can’t resist.
“We forgot the crazy things that we said, and that cost us the election in 2024. Now we want to revisit that — if anything, they’re coming back in the strongest kind of terms. Look at the people who are winning.”
The senator also criticized fellow Democrats over their support for former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner before Platner ended his campaign following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2021.
Fetterman said he was “angry” that Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., had supported Platner and questioned why Democratic leaders continued backing the candidate.
“Why did you push these people? Why did you buy in and then plunge that most consequential Senate race now into chaos?” Fetterman asked.
He argued the situation has made it “more difficult” for Democrats to defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins and regain control of the closely divided Senate.
“Where’s the accountability?” Fetterman asked. “Imagine if I would have done that and pushed that kind of individual.”
Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to Fetterman’s Senate office and campaign officials for additional comment.