Sen. John Fetterman (PA) is having doubts that the Democratic Party is “big” enough to welcome his values despite Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) pressing the nonconformist Democrat to remain in the party.
Fetterman has been dodging speculation that he may cross the aisle, but the idea seemed far-fetched until fellow Democrats started backing opposition to Israel, something Fetterman has said is nonnegotiable.
In an interview with Semafor, Fetterman said Schumer’s courting was appreciated, but raised concern about growing opposition to support for Israel. The Pennsylvanian has long been pro-Israel and has repeatedly taken issue with Democrats dissenting to aid for the Jewish state.
“‘I truly appreciate the leader’s nice words,” Fetterman told the outlet, but said he doesn’t know “if the Democratic Party is ‘big tent’ enough for proud, pro-Israel supporters that also strongly reject the warped mutation of” socialist candidates winning primaries and leading in the polls.
Schumer on Wednesday showered the senator with praise as he fielded questions from reporters about Fetterman possibly switching to a Republican ticket in the fall.
“People in our caucus very much like him and respect him, and we’re a big-tent party. We can have a lot of different views in that party,” Schumer said, adding that Fetterman is “a very good member of Congress.”
Fetterman has emerged as one of the most unpredictable members of the Senate Democratic caucus, frequently siding with Republicans in the chamber on foreign policy and some of President Donald Trump’s priorities while remaining liberal on issues including abortion, organized labor, and marijuana legalization.
His staunch support for Israel has produced some of his sharpest disagreements with fellow Democrats. Earlier this month, Fetterman warned that he could leave the party if Democrats formally adopted an anti-Israel position.
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The speculation caught the attention of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who offered Fetterman a seat at the table and spoke with the senator about making the switch to the GOP. Fetterman has previously rejected suggestions that he is preparing to become a Republican.
His political future is also becoming an issue ahead of 2028, when Fetterman is up for reelection. Former Rep. Susan Wild is among the Pennsylvania Democrats who have been encouraged to consider challenging him in a primary, Semafor reported in March.