Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) criticized his party again – this time over the ongoing government shutdown, accusing Democratic leaders of putting partisan interests ahead of the American people.
Fetterman, who has sided with Republicans on a series of votes on a clean bill to reopen the government, referred to the standoff as the “Schumer Shutdown,” alleging that Democrats are effectively holding the government hostage rather than working toward a bipartisan funding solution.
Fetterman made several comments during NewsNation’s live town hall at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday that demonstrate why he is considered a maverick among Democrats in the Senate. “I follow country, then party,” he explained.
Gee…what a concept.
“You don’t hold the government hostage,” Fetterman added, noting that the Schumer shutdown is “what the Democratic Party wants to do.”
Fetterman highlighted that he is one of only two Democrats who crossed the aisle to vote for the clean continuing resolution, ensuring the government remains open. “It’s the wrong thing for the country, and in a period of chaos, I refuse to shut our government down,” he said.
The Pennsylvania senator also took aim at the radical wing of his own party, calling out the reckless rhetoric that’s become all too common on the left. He explained why he refuses to label his political opponents as “fascists” or “Nazis” — language he says has fueled a dangerous rise in left-wing violence across the country.
“I know and I love people who voted for President Trump. But they are not fascists, they’re not Nazis, they’re not trying to destroy the Constitution and those things,” he insisted. “I refuse to call people Nazis or fascists. I would never compare anybody — anybody to Hitler.”
Isn’t it telling that basic common sense now makes John Fetterman look like the last sane Democrat standing?
Fetterman warned that the left’s obsession with branding everyone they disagree with inflammatory language is only pouring gasoline on the fire of political violence in this country.
He even referenced the assassination of Charlie Kirk, condemning those within his own party who exploited the conservative leader’s death for political gain — something he called shameful and deeply wrong.
“Let people grieve — give people the space. I’m not going to use that terrible thing and that tragic assassination to make my argument and try to put out my views,” he told a hushed crowd.
Fetterman pointed out that the country almost plunged into chaos when President Trump narrowly avoided being shot in Butler.
“It’s like, my God, he’s a father that had his neck blown out by a bullet. And now people have forgotten President Trump was — in my state — was shot in the head. Could you imagine where our nation would be if he were hit in the same way with Kirk?” he asked.
“We’ve really got to turn the temperature down,” he added.
You know what happens when you show a little sanity in today’s Democrat Party? When you dare to call for less violence or suggest that the so-called “resistance” cares more about scoring political points than helping real Americans?
You get targeted. You get punished. And that’s exactly what’s happening to John Fetterman right now — his own party is trying to shove him out for daring to speak the truth.
An Axios report this morning indicates that top Democrats in Pennsylvania are “maneuvering to run against Sen. John Fetterman in a 2028 primary contest,” a move that is “threatening to tear the party apart in the biggest battleground state in the nation.”
They can’t stomach the fact that Fetterman sees through their tricks. They’re now openly plotting to toss him aside — even at the cost of losing a Senate seat.
