It’s not every day you hear a Democrat like Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) preach the virtues of “how democracy works,” but hey, stranger things have happened in Washington. Fetterman’s comments during a Fox News interview this week were a head-turner, to say the least. The man sat down with Bret Baier and not only defended his willingness to meet with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees but also pledged his support for several of them.
Yes, you read that right. Fetterman, a self-proclaimed progressive, is out here talking about bipartisanship like it’s 1995. He even dropped a little wisdom nugget to remind his own party that elections have consequences. Trump won, so Trump gets to pick his team. Revolutionary concept, right?
Now, let’s break this down. Fetterman didn’t just stop at saying he’s willing to “meet” with nominees; he went full send by saying he’ll vote for a slew of them. He’s on board with Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation, Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, Elise Stefanik for U.N. Ambassador, and Brooke Rollins for Secretary of Agriculture. That’s a lineup that would make any conservative grin like a kid in a candy store. And yet, here’s Fetterman, telling his Democratic colleagues to calm down and take a civics refresher.
Not only that, Fetterman voted for the Laken Riley Act and said this:
NEW: John Fetterman says if Democrats can’t get 7 votes in the Senate to pass the Laken Riley Act, then “that’s the reason why we lost.”
“If you’re here illegally and you’re committing crimes, I don’t know why anybody thinks that it’s controversial, that they all need to go.” pic.twitter.com/e0tDEK72uO
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) January 8, 2025
What’s fascinating—and maybe a little hilarious—is the blowback he’s getting from his own side. According to Fetterman, just sitting down with these nominees sparked outrage. Why? Because, in today’s political climate, even talking to the other side is apparently a cardinal sin. But here’s the kicker: Fetterman brushed it off and doubled down, saying it’s his job to have those conversations. Imagine that—a politician actually trying to do their job.
And let’s not ignore the subtle jab he threw at his critics. Fetterman pointed out that if people believe everything written or said about him, they clearly don’t know him. That’s a pretty slick way of saying, “Y’all need to chill.” He also added that you can’t know someone like Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, based on hearsay alone. Instead, he insists on sitting down and making his own judgment. Again, a novel idea in today’s outrage-fueled political landscape.
Now, this doesn’t mean Fetterman is suddenly waving a MAGA flag. He made it clear that he’s not rubber-stamping every nominee. Some will have to go through the process. But his openness to work with Trump’s picks is a rare—and dare I say refreshing—moment of practicality in a city that thrives on theatrics.
Of course, not everyone is buying the “I’m just doing my job” routine. Cynics on both sides of the aisle might see this as a calculated move. Maybe Fetterman is trying to position himself as a maverick, a “reasonable Democrat” who can work across the aisle. Or maybe he’s just playing nice because he knows Trump’s team isn’t going anywhere for the next four years. Whatever his motivation, it’s a bold play, and it’s got everyone talking.
NEW: John Fetterman REBUKES the Democratic Party’s “freak-outs” over Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland.
“If anyone thinks that’s bonkers, it’s like, well, remember the Louisiana Purchase? I think Alaska was a pretty great deal, too.”
“I would never support taking it by… pic.twitter.com/J0xXeS1h4w
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) January 8, 2025
Fetterman wrapped up by saying, “That’s the way democracy works.” And, honestly, he’s not wrong. Trump won. He gets to pick his team, and the Senate’s job is to confirm or reject those picks. It’s a simple concept but one that’s been lost amid all the partisan noise.
So, will this stance make Fetterman a pariah among Democrats, or will it inspire others to follow suit? Only time will tell. But for now, he’s a rare bird in a town full of parrots, and that’s worth paying attention to.
