John Fetterman signals he would consider leaving the Democratic Party if it chooses a ‘troubling’ majority leader

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Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman has indicated he would consider leaving the Democratic Party if the caucus elects Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen as majority leader, citing disagreements over U.S. policy toward Israel.

Fetterman was asked Saturday on Fox News whether there was a “red line” that would prompt him to distance himself from his party if it moved further to the left.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Fetterman said in a clip highlighted on X by journalist Aaron Rupar. “It would be troubling if my caucus elected someone like Van Hollen who has really made a name for himself by being very anti-hostile toward Israel, you know. If you’re going to be angry or hostile toward a country in the region, why not do the same, you know, against Iran or Hezbollah or Hamas?”

He added: “Why, both in the House and the Senate, their first instinct now is to punish Israel and refuse this type of aid. Why? Why isn’t your first instinct to say, ‘Let’s hold Iran responsible?’

Fetterman also warned his party not to turn the next two years “into a circus of constant hearings” to get “revenge” on the Trump administration.

His break with fellow Democrats cost him support in Pennsylvania.

As reported The IndependentFetterman has become increasingly isolated within his caucus because of his unwavering support for Israeli military actions in Gaza, his opposition to moves to end the war in Iran and his votes with Republicans to end last year’s government shutdown and confirm several of President Donald Trump’s nominees.

While Fetterman has previously said he would not become a Republican — emphasizing his support for unions and LGBTQ+ rights — his breaks with the party have alienated local Democrats.

A month of August New York Times One poll showed that only about two in 10 registered Pennsylvania Democrats viewed him favorably, down from 74% in 2024. Conversely, his favorability among Pennsylvania Republicans rose from 25% to 73% during the same period, according to the survey.

Because of this change, Democratic candidates in Pennsylvania distanced themselves from the senator during the midterm cycle, choosing not to let him campaign with them.

Lori McFarland, Lehigh County Democratic Party chairwoman, said in September that Fetterman would “bring us more harm than good,” adding that local voters “feel betrayed by him.”

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio also told reporters that Democrats running in competitive districts don’t want Fetterman to go with them, noting that Pennsylvanians “expect him to be a Democrat in the two years he has left in this term.”

Potential Democratic challengers — including Deluzio, U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle and former Rep. Conor Lamb — have already begun eyeing Fetterman’s Senate seat ahead of the 2028 elections.

Republicans, on the other hand, have openly discussed the possibility of Fetterman crossing the aisle.

Fetterman cultivated a close working relationship with Pennsylvania Republican Senator David McCormick, forming a joint fundraising committee and appearing with him at public events.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune previously said that Senate Republicans had discussed Fetterman’s frustrations and would “certainly embrace it” if he chose to switch parties.