John Fetterman has been one of the more curious surprises in the world of Senate politics. When he was running, it was easy—and frankly tempting—to dismiss him as another progressive rubber stamp for the far-left wing of the Democratic Party. After all, he came in with the usual trappings: tattoos, hoodies, and plenty of campaign rhetoric that seemed tailor-made for a Bernie Sanders fan club meeting. But in an era where Democrats often outdo each other trying to see who can go furthest off the ideological cliff, Fetterman has managed to confound expectations.
Yes, you read that right. He’s actually been… reasonable. Imagine that.
Rather than championing every progressive fever dream, Fetterman has taken a moderate approach—at least publicly. He’s talked about bridging divides with Republicans, a refreshing attitude when many in his party treat bipartisanship like it’s some sort of contagious disease. Even more shocking, he’s aligning with some of President Donald Trump’s picks, something you’d never expect from a Democrat these days unless it came with a 10-minute virtue-signaling preamble about how they’re “holding their nose” to do it.
Case in point: Fetterman has cosponsored the Laken Riley Act and has signaled his support for Sean Duffy, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Transportation. Yes, Trump’s nominee. This is the same Fetterman who’s willing to go down to Mar-a-Lago to meet with the former president himself. If that doesn’t send certain MSNBC hosts into a tailspin, nothing will.
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
But let’s talk about Fetterman’s response to the predictable media meltdown over his civility. When reporters badgered him about visiting Mar-a-Lago, he defused the tension with a joke: “I demand that I need to be made Pope of Greenland.” Quick wit aside, it was his follow-up that really struck a chord. “I’m not just the Senator for Democrats,” he said. “I’m the senator for everyone in Pennsylvania.”
Our @JoeKhalilTV was able to catch up with @JohnFetterman after @NewsNation confirmed he is going to Mar-a-Lago to meet with President-elect Trump.
Fetterman joked he wants to be appointed the “Pope of Greenland”. https://t.co/3XJkg0Hpjv pic.twitter.com/MPSSgwZxId
— Kellie Meyer (@KellieMeyerNews) January 9, 2025
What a concept—serving all the people who elected you, not just your party’s most vocal Twitter warriors. It’s almost revolutionary in today’s political climate. Naturally, though, this kind of common sense enrages the left. After all, how dare a Democrat treat Trump like a human being, let alone entertain a conversation with him? Civility? Dialogue? In their world, those are signs of betrayal.
I’m not just a Senator for Democrats—I’m a Senator for all Pennsylvanians.
It’s my job to find common ground and deliver results for everybody.
And because nobody is my gatekeeper, I will meet with anyone to secure some wins, including President Trump. pic.twitter.com/H6MhmYBJXd
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) January 9, 2025
The meltdown was swift and predictable. The far-left can’t stomach the idea of treating Trump—or his supporters—as anything other than cartoon villains. To them, every olive branch is treason, every bipartisan act a surrender. Fetterman, for his part, seems unfazed by their outrage. It’s hard not to respect a politician who’s willing to break ranks for the sake of actually getting something done.
Of course, the Greenland joke did prompt some fun reactions online, with plenty of commentary about how Fetterman might not enjoy the frigid climate. After all, long pants would likely be a necessity—a dealbreaker, perhaps, for the hoodie-loving senator. But that lighthearted exchange only underscores why Fetterman’s approach is so refreshing: he’s not taking himself—or the media circus—too seriously.
While Fetterman isn’t likely to win over hardcore conservatives, his actions so far suggest he’s at least trying to be practical in a party increasingly allergic to the concept. For that alone, he deserves a nod of respect. If more politicians—on both sides—adopted his “Senator for everyone” mindset, Washington might actually start to function again. But don’t hold your breath waiting for his colleagues on the left to follow suit. They’re far too busy clutching their pearls over his willingness to share a laugh with the other side.
