Sean Hannity, host of Fox News’s primetime show, engaged in a heated interview with Chris Rabb, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's third Congressional district, on Wednesday evening. The exchange, which focused on Rabb's alignment with Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) positions, began with Rabb mistakenly referring to Hannity as "Scott."
Hannity, introducing Rabb, outlined several policy stances associated with the nominee and the DSA, including Medicare for All, universal basic income, federal job guarantees, guaranteed housing, universal childcare, and government-run grocery stores. Hannity also highlighted Rabb's support from political commentator Hasan Piker, who Hannity noted had previously stated that "America deserves 9/11."
Following the initial name mix-up and Rabb's apology, Hannity moved to question the nominee directly on a series of policy points. When asked if he supported eliminating the U.S. Senate, Rabb stated that it was not part of his platform but rather the national DSA platform. Hannity pressed Rabb on issues such as amnesty for undocumented immigrants and abolishing borders, to which Rabb responded that he did not accept the premise of the question, asserting that many individuals have documentation and that entering the country without documentation is not a criminal act.
Rabb affirmed his support for abolishing ICE and dismantling what he termed "immigrant concentration camps." He also called for a significant reduction in the defense budget, stating the U.S. war budget is larger than all other countries combined, which Hannity interpreted as a desire to "defund the Department of War."
The discussion extended to other progressive policies. Rabb indicated he would eliminate cash bail and establish a wealth tax. When questioned about abolishing prisons and police, Rabb suggested that "ninety-nine percent of what police do are not going after the bad guys" and that these functions could be handled in alternative ways. Hannity countered by emphasizing the role of police in apprehending criminals.
Rabb won the Democratic primary for the open 3rd Congressional District seat in Philadelphia in May. The seat is currently held by retiring Representative Dwight Evans. Rabb is expected to be favored in the general election.