United Democrat, Senator Fetterman, a towering figure known for his casual dressing style, was previously seen as an icon within his party. However, eyebrows were raised when he began to adopt more general – some argue more conservative – political views, opting for pragmatic stances over trendy liberal ideologies. Of course, he remains an advocate for healthcare rights, justice reform, bid to abolish capital punishment, raising the minimum federal wage to $15 per hour, and promoting federal legalization of cannabis, all views that align with the Democratic Party’s fundamental intentions. Yet, Senator Fetterman has evolved into a unique entity – a senator unafraid to diverge from the party line, unbothered by the opinions of fellow party members. Standing tall at 6-foot-8 and weighing 275-pounds, the senator maintains that he’s still wholeheartedly a Democrat.
“I haven’t left my party. I believe my viewpoints to be rational, and I’m bemused by the controversy they stir,” he revealed to the New York Times in October when quizzed on his variance from the traditional progressive arm of his party. Interestingly, on ten critical issues, Fetterman’s standpoints might qualify him as a dependable Republican statesman. When the Hamas terrorist attacks in October 7, 2023 wreaked havoc on innocent citizens, the Democrats found themselves in a quandary. They didn’t want to offend their support base, which leans towards the Palestinians and against Israel, even after more than 1,100 Israelis were killed. Fetterman, however, stood firmly in his support of Israel, particularly after Israeli forces eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
“I commend Israel on the execution of Yahya Sinwar – as crucial a step as any towards a long-standing peace. Addressing the orchestrator behind the 10/7 massacre is the epitome of justice being served. I assure you my vote and voice for Israel will stand firm,” Fetterman asserted in his social media posts in October. He went the extra mile to ensure his support was known. The senator gained attention when a video of him waving an Israeli flag from his rooftop at pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathering near his home in Pittsburgh spread across the internet. Fetterman’s act won the admiration of Sam DeMarco, the Republican Party chairman in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where Fetterman resides, who tweeted his unexpected respect for him.
Along with demonstrating unyielding support for Israel, Fetterman has diverged from President Biden and the Democratic mainstream, asserting the importance of securing the Mexican border. “I fail to see why it’s controversial to support a secure border,” Fetterman expressed to CNN’s Jake Tapper last year. “I’ve consistently stated my robust support for immigration – a fact Republicans have exploited in their campaign against me. My wife’s family has its roots in immigration.” He feels the mainstream media unjustly merges these two separate issues: legal immigration and unchecked entry into America across the Rio Grande.
“Simultaneously supporting strong immigration and maintaining a secure border seems like a perfectly rational stance to me,” the senator opined. “We aim to provide the American Dream for every immigrant, but managing a mass influx of 300,000 individuals at our border seems extremely challenging.” Despite his well-rounded view aligning closely with pro-America sentiments, his posture continues to fluster Democrats. Fetterman’s pressing for justice for victims of crimes perpetrated by illegal entrants demonstrates his divergence from Democrats’ typical stance that denies the alarming number of unlawful foreign entrants into America.
On the forefront of introducing the Laken Riley Act, this justice-seeker was the first Democrat to back the Republican-led bill passed in the House on Tuesday, which stipulates mandatory federal detention for illegals committing theft-related crimes. This bill draws its name from a nursing student who fell victim to a heinous crime perpetrated by an illegal immigrant on the University of Georgia’s campus. “Laken Riley’s unfortunate fate is a stark reminder of the dangers posed when our protective systems fail. No family should have to endure the grief caused by preventable acts of violence. I support equipping authorities with necessary tools to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents, while concurrently striving for all-encompassing solutions to our failing system,” Fetterman stated in a joint press release alongside the bill’s Republican sponsor.
One area where Fetterman has shown alignment with Republican standpoints is his opposition to China’s growing influence. Unlike many Democrats that genuflect to China while criticizing Russia at every opportunity, Fetterman is just the opposite. Echoing former President Trump’s thoughts, he believes China represents a real threat. Furthermore, he’s not shy about voicing his concern over the communist nation’s covert acquisition of American farmland. During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on foreign ownership in American agriculture and its effects on food and national security, Fetterman lambasted China. “Our colleagues must agree, the Chinese government and other adversaries should own no agricultural land in our country,” he said.
Fetterman’s position on the Second Amendment seems to align more with the Republicans than his fellow Democrats. The Candidate Fetterman stated in his first campaign for the Senate in 2016, “Ensuring that weapons do not fall into the hands of those who could harm others is not a radical concept, particularly in light of the tragic incidents we’ve witnessed in Charleston, Newtown, Wilkinsburg, and countless other communities.” However, Fetterman has refined his stance since taking office, asserting, “I’m very much a pro-Second Amendment individual. I just believe it should be widely accepted to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands and causing harm to themselves or loved ones,” he said during a talk at Dartmouth College.
Fetterman’s surprising stance is apparent in his willingness to work with President Trump. During Campaign 2024, Democrats compared Trump to Hitler, which many believe is the epitome of political hyperbole. Fetterman, however, understands the appeal of the then incoming president and has repeatedly stated his readiness to collaborate. “Rooting against the president equates to rooting against the nation,” Fetterman told ABC’s ‘This Week’ post-election. “So country first. While this may sound like a cliche, it rings true.” Fetterman is one of the few Democrats who have met with Trump’s cabinet picks and has some advice for Democrats: “I’ve been advising those amongst us to remain calm and collected. The consistent uproar is not beneficial.”
A hallmark of Fetterman’s campaign has been his willingness to appear on media platforms others in his party have shunned. During Campaign 2024, Vice President Harris notoriously avoided news outlets that wouldn’t unquestioningly support her views. She notably declined invitations to appear on Fox News and the Joe Rogan Experience in spite of their considerable viewer base. Conversely, Fetterman comfortably appeared on Fox and featured on Rogan’s podcast for a two-hour interview session. Expressing his philosophy, Fetterman said to Rogan, “The rule is simple: I’m willing to converse with anyone, provided they’re straightforward. I will reciprocate in kind.”
Fetterman’s alignment with more Republican-leaning views extends to his support for law enforcement, distancing from the ‘defund the police’ campaign championed by certain Democrats, including ‘The Squad’ and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. He publicly announced his support for law enforcement and community policing and funding for the police during his 2022 campaign. He had no sympathy for the ‘defund the police’ movement, calling the slogan ‘ridiculous.’ Fetterman argued, “The most effective strategy is a police department that can maintain safety without the community feeling excessively policed. It’s critical to combat crime and to restore safety to the streets.”
Interestingly, Fetterman supports the idea of purchasing Greenland, as suggested by Trump. Most Democrats ridiculed the idea immediately, but Fetterman was not among them. While explicitly stating he would never endorse forcibly annexing Greenland, he indicated there could be a ‘responsible conversation’ about acquiring it, including possibly purchasing it. “If anyone thinks that’s absurd, they should be reminded of the Louisiana Purchase,” Fetterman stated, pointing to the historical significance of buying the land from the French in 1803. He also highlighted the 1867 purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire and showed he was ‘open to all kinds of conversations.’
Finally, opposing the ‘New Green Deal’ proposed by some progressive Democrats, including Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Fetterman once again took a stance that could be seen as aligning with the Republicans. This ambitious plan calls for 100% renewable energy by 2030 and other significant socio-economic benefits at an estimated cost of $51 to $93 trillion over a decade, a seemingly untenable cost for a nation currently $36 trillion in debt. Not afraid to voice his dissenting opinion, Fetterman told MSNBC in a 2021 interview that a balance needs to be struck between transitioning away from fossil fuels and protecting union jobs. He called for a ‘reasoned, rational approach’ to transitioning towards green, renewable energy, emphasizing the need to respect and assist existing workers and communities in the transition.