John Fetterman no longer politically relevant
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The gist
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman says he is not changing parties despite Trump's invitation.
His breaks with Democrats and a 2026 midterm could decide Senate control.
Background
John Fetterman is a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, elected in 2022 as a Democrat, described in the material as a staunch supporter of Israel who has repeatedly broken from his party to vote with Republicans. That record, plus his backing of Trump's strikes on Iran and several Trump nominees, has fueled speculation about whether he will leave the Democratic Party. President Donald Trump has publicly encouraged him to switch, while Fetterman has said he is not changing parties.
How it unfolded
- Jan 17, 2025WHYY reports Fetterman's approach is reminding some Democrats of former Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, both of whom clashed with their party, became independents and did not run for reelection.
- Nov 11, 2025Fetterman, among eight senators criticized by Democrats over a shutdown deal, said little was accomplished in 40 days except "a lot of chaos and a lot of upheaval."
- Jul 16, 2026Fetterman warned he would leave the Democratic Party if it adopts an anti-Israel policy; a Quinnipiac poll that week found a majority of registered Pennsylvania Democratic voters want him to leave.
- Jul 27, 2026Fetterman wrote an opinion piece explaining why he changed his mind about the filibuster.
- Sep 4, 2026The Wall Street Journal reported Fetterman canceled a meeting with three paralyzed military veterans from rural Pennsylvania, with staff saying he may have eaten something bad, then walked into his office less than an hour later for a Fox News interview on Israel and the war in Iran.
- Sep 2026Fetterman shouted at reporters that he is not going to be a Republican and asked them to wait until the midterm.
- Oct 10, 2026Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews he'd "love to have him as a Republican" and that Fetterman does better in polls as a Republican.
- Oct 31, 2026USA TODAY reports Fetterman isn't on the ballot but could have a dramatic impact on the Senate after the 2026 midterms.
- Nov 1, 2026A Morning Call letter urges Fetterman to remain a Democrat for the remainder of his term.
- Nov 2, 2026CNN reports that Jason Turkish, fiancé of Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens, has donated to Fetterman, described as a staunch Israel ally.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Fetterman says he is not changing parties and told reporters to wait until the midterm, saying if he turns Republican then he'll be a liar.
- Trump
- President Trump said it will be hard for Fetterman to get the Democratic nomination but that he'd "love to have him as a Republican."
- Public
- A Reddit r/politics poster said Fetterman is "now politically irrelevant and holds zero influence in the Senate."
- Support
- A Facebook poster said Fetterman "appears to be the best Senator in that dysfunctional clan" and will probably switch parties.
- Caution
- Letter writer David Willard urged Fetterman to stay a Democrat, saying switching at Trump's invitation would be "a betrayal of the citizens of Pennsylvania who voted for him."
Still unverified
There has been "rampant speculation" about whether Fetterman will leave the Democratic Party, though he has said he is not changing parties; a Facebook poster claimed his net approval among Pennsylvania Democrats fell from 68 points in 2023 to negative 40 points, a 108-point swing.