Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has stated that while he currently has no plans to leave the Democratic Party, he would do so if the party officially became the "anti-Israel party." Fetterman expressed this view at the Hill Nation Summit in Washington, D.C., characterizing strong support for Israel as a matter of "moral clarity."
Fetterman, who was elected as a Democrat and took office in January 2023, has increasingly demonstrated stances that diverge from party lines. He noted in a May op-ed that he has not changed his principles, but rather the party has. He criticized what he described as the party's tendency to simply oppose any position taken by former President Donald Trump, calling such actions "pointless pile-ons and attacks."
His stated boundaries for remaining a Democrat include opposition to open borders, party toxicity, an "anti-Trump reflex," obstructionism leading to government shutdowns, the "defund the police" movement, poor candidate vetting, and the rejection of voter ID.
The senator voiced particular concern over what he perceives as a growing anti-Israel sentiment within the Democratic Party, citing the primary election successes of progressive candidates who are sharply critical of Israel. He suggested that some Democrats are attempting to appeal to a segment of the party's base that is "intensely, intensely anti-Israel."
Fetterman also raised concerns about the potential impact of candidates like Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate primary. He warned that if El-Sayed, who has been critical of Israel, becomes the nominee, it could make the state more competitive for Republicans and necessitate increased spending by Democrats.
Additionally, Fetterman criticized some Democrats for their past support of the "defund the police" movement, suggesting that the party risks repeating political errors from past elections. He pointed to the case of former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, whose past allegations led him to end his campaign. Fetterman expressed anger that some Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders, had supported Platner before the allegations fully surfaced, questioning the accountability and the impact on key Senate races.
Fetterman and Republican Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania recently launched a joint fundraising Political Action Committee (PAC) named "Common Ground PA," according to Federal Election Commission filings. Fetterman has indicated that if he were to leave the Democratic Party, he would first become an independent, stating, "I will continue to put the commonwealth and the country first."