Tensions between Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and fellow liberals have grown since he took office in 2023.
Fetterman has also developed a series of unexpected relationships with Republican senators.
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Now, the popular Democrat has just revealed “the one thing” that would make him leave his own party.
During an interview on Fox News, Fetterman told host Sean Hannity that he would leave the Democratic Party if it became an “anti-Israel party” and if denying Israel’s “right to defend itself and to exist” became “a formal part of our platform.”
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Since Hamas’s attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, the senator has been a vocal advocate for Israel and its interests in Congress.
Since President Donald Trump took office, Fetterman has repeatedly criticized fellow Democratic lawmakers’ comments towards the administration and broken with colleagues on some votes – although he votes with party lines most of the time.
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Senate Republicans have previously been reported to be hoping to flip Fetterman, but he has dismissed the idea of crossing the aisle.
But the senator said he has one line he would leave the Democratic Party if crossed, and that is on Israel.
“My real concern is the Democratic Party is going to put it into the platform, you know, as an anti-Israel party, that Israel does not have the right to defend itself and to exist,” Fetterman said.
“And the second that becomes a formal part of our platform, that’s the one thing that would push me out of this party,” Fetterman added.
“I’m deeply alarmed by the way the Democratic Party is going after Israel and allowing just rank anti-semitism to just flourish, you know, on the left and on the campuses too,” Fetterman continued.
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Several progressive and self-described democratic socialist candidates have won primaries in both Colorado and New York, beating out long-time incumbents with campaigns that include speaking out against U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza.
Fetterman sounded the alarm on these developments, noting that a trait that many of the new candidates shared was a “dislike for Israel” that was “essentially” turning into “anti-Semitism.”
Separately, rumors have circulated that Fetterman has been pushed behind closed doors to switch parties.
Pennsylvania GOP Chair Sen. Greg Rothman suggested last month that backing Fetterman’s reelection could be possible if he switched parties.
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Meanwhile, President Trump said during an appearance with Sean Hannity that the host should encourage Fetterman to become a Republican in exchange for presidential support.
Trump hosted Fetterman and his wife at Mar-a-Lago shortly after he won the election to a second term in November 2024.
Despite the speculation, Fetterman has repeatedly said he has no plans to leave the Democratic Party, including in a recent opinion piece published in The Washington Post.
“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,” Fetterman wrote.
“Plus, I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats,” he added, noting that his party has left him on issues it used to support, such as siding with Israel and keeping the government fully funded and open.
Although Fetterman votes with Democrats most of the time, he has publicly broken with party leaders on several high-profile issues, including government shutdown disputes, the Iran conflict, immigration enforcement, and even Trump’s proposal for a White House ballroom.
While many Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, have voiced support for Israel, Fetterman has been especially outspoken in criticizing the party’s far-left wing over its backing of the Palestinian cause.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
