Jan 20, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.,arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson-Pool via Imagn Images
There have been a lot of rumors circulating about PA Sen. John Fetterman switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.
If true, it would be a stunning transition for a guy who, just over two years ago was elected as a progressive champion in the Democratic party.
But Fetterman said the change of parties is "not going to happen."
In an interview with Semafor, Fetterman did not hold back on the rumors that have been circulating since he flew to Mar-a-Lago to meet with President Donald Trump after he won his November election.
"That's amateur hour shit," Fetterman said. "If they think, 'oh it's going to be like a (Sen. Joe) Manchin or (Sen. Kyrsten) Sinema play,' that's just not true, and that's not going to happen."
Fetterman was referring to former senators from West Virginia and Arizona who left the Democratic party, but remained independent.
"Even if I wanted to do that, that is a rocket sled to Palookaville to try to switch," Fetterman added. "I would make a pretty bad Republican."
Senator John Fetterman shows up to Trump's inauguration in gym shorts and a Carhartt sweatshirt.
Wild.pic.twitter.com/1iwyqhaZfH
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 20, 2025
Aside form meeting with Trump, Fetterman has stirred the rumor monger's pot by working with Republicans to co-sponsor the Laken Riley Act, which passed through the Senate on Monday. Fetterman has also been a vocal supporter of the Israeli government in the controversial war with Hamas and Gaza in the Middle East.
Probably most disturbing to hardcore Democrats and Progressives though has been with his active endorsement of several of Trump's cabinet nominees.
Currently, the Republican Party holds a 53-47 edge in the U.S. Senate. There are 45 Democratic Senators, including Fetterman, and two independents who caucus with the Democrats - Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
