Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, admitted during an explosive weekend interview with Fox News that his days in the Democratic Party could soon be over.
During a Sunday interview with Fox News host Maria Bartimoro, Fetterman was asked point blank if he’d consider switching parties.
In an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures,” Fetterman responded by saying he has no intention of leaving the Democratic Party.
But made gave a striking caveat he won’t join those in his party who label political opponents “Nazis” or “fascists” as many Democrats are increasingly divided over whether their party’s rhetoric toward Republicans has gone too far and risks inciting further political violence.
“No, I’m not going to switch, but I’m just going to be an independent voice in the Democratic Party. I’m not going to be afraid if people, if there are groups attacking a Democrat, you know the last one in Pennsylvania, to me that’s part of the problem in our party. If you want a Democrat that’s going to call people Nazis or fascists or all these kinds of thing, well, I’m not going to be that guy,” Fetterman told Bartimoro.
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Fetterman pointed out the need for less name-calling and more principled leadership, adding that his positions are rooted in what he believes to be the truth, regardless of which side it comes from.
Fetterman said he would remain independent and follow the truth regardless of whether it comes from a Republican or Democratic voice.
“And this truth right now, it’s firmly on Israel through this. And it’s also always wrong to shut our government down. And that’s where my voice is and if that puts me as an outlier, that’s where I am,” Fetterman continued.
Other Democrats have joined Fetterman, including Democratic Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick who said the party needs to rein in members who use hateful, unchecked language, calling some recent statements “completely crazy” and “full of hate.”
Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin also pushed back on comparisons between Republicans and Nazis, stating plainly, “Republicans are not Nazis” and adding that “Democrats are not evil” either.
However, many Democrats continue to insist they not tone down its rhetoric.
Democratic Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy defended his attacks on President Trump, insisting that warning about threats to democracy is urgent and appropriate, even as he acknowledged growing political violence.
Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett also doubled down on comparing Trump to Nazi Germany, saying on “The Breakfast Club” that calling him a “wannabe Hitler” doesn’t equate to inciting violence and arguing that such language is justified.