Fox News host Maria Bartimoro asked Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman on Sunday if he’d consider switching parties.
Democrats are increasingly divided over whether their party’s rhetoric toward Republicans has gone too far and risks inciting further political violence. In an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures,” Fetterman said he has no intention of leaving the Democratic Party, but made clear he won’t join those in his party who label political opponents “Nazis” or “fascists.”
“No, I’m not going to switch, but I’m just going to be an independent voice in the Democratic Party. I’m not going to be afraid if people, if there are groups attacking a Democrat, you know the last one in Pennsylvania, to me that’s part of the problem in our party. If you want a Democrat that’s going to call people Nazis or fascists or all these kinds of thing, well, I’m not going to be that guy,” Fetterman told Bartimoro.
Fetterman pointed out the need for less name-calling and more principled leadership, adding that his positions are rooted in what he believes to be the truth, regardless of which side it comes from.
Fetterman said he would remain independent and follow the truth regardless of whether it comes from a Republican or Democratic voice. “And this truth right now, it’s firmly on Israel through this. And it’s also always wrong to shut our government down. And that’s where my voice is and if that puts me as an outlier, that’s where I am,” Fetterman continued.
Like Fetterman, Democratic Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick said the party needs to rein in members who use hateful, unchecked language, calling some recent statements “completely crazy” and “full of hate.” Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin pushed back on comparisons between Republicans and Nazis, stating plainly, “Republicans are not Nazis” and adding that “Democrats are not evil” either. (RELATED: ‘Go Straight To Hell’: JD Vance Condemns Democrats For Villainizing ICE Agents After Facility Shooting)
However, not all Democrats agree the party should tone down its rhetoric. Democratic Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy defended his attacks on Trump, insisting that warning about threats to democracy is urgent and appropriate, even as he acknowledged growing political violence.
Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett also doubled down on comparing Trump to Nazi Germany, saying on “The Breakfast Club” that calling him a “wannabe Hitler” doesn’t equate to inciting violence. Crockett argued that such language is justified.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.