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By Sonam Sheth
Evening Politics Editor
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During a Monday interview appearance on The View, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman addressed speculation about his loyalty to the Democratic Party and whether or not he plans on switching over to the Republican Party.
The Context
Fetterman has drawn criticism from members of his own party over his alignment with Republicans on issues including border security, fracking and U.S. aid to Israel amid its ongoing war with Hamas.
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The first-term senator also attracted scrutiny earlier this month when he met with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago before Trump was inaugurated.
What To Know
During his appearance on ABC's The View, Fetterman was asked about his loyalty to the Democratic Party.
"What do you say to those who are now, in a sense, questioning your commitment to the Democratic Party?" co-host Sunny Hostin asked him.
The Pennsylvania senator responded that he has "been on record" saying that "I am not going to become a Republican."
He added: "I would make a pretty terrible Republican because, you know, pro-choice, pro really strong immigration, pro-LGBTQ...I don't think I'd be a good fit. So, I'm not going to change my party and if I am...I'll give you the exclusive."
Fetterman said he "can't keep chasing down every last thing that's online because they just happen not to be true."
The senator then said: "And just look at my votes."
The Pennsylvania senator's voting record is in line with the rest of his party, but some Republicans have praised him for being a proponent of Israel and supporting stricter immigration policies to curb the flow of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Fetterman co-sponsored the GOP-supported Laken Riley Act, which requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take custody of people illegally in the U.S. and detain them over theft-related crimes.
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Fetterman also shared details on Monday about his meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and said it was a "positive experience."
"He was kind, he was cordial," the senator said. "It wasn't in any kind of theater. It wasn't trying to get your picture taken to put something out on social media. It was just really a conversation. We actually spoke for over an hour."
Trump also complimented Fetterman after their meeting, telling the Washington Examiner that the senator is "not liberal or conservative" and that he's "just a commonsense person, which is beautiful."
Fetterman told Newsweek in a statement earlier this month: "President Trump invited me to meet, and I accepted. I'm the senator for all Pennsylvanians—not just Democrats in Pennsylvania. I've been clear that no one is my gatekeeper. I will meet with and have a conversation with anyone if it helps me deliver for Pennsylvania and the nation."
What People Are Saying
Senator John Fetterman addressed questions about if he was switching parties, telling Semafor last week: "That's amateur hour s---. If they think 'Oh, it's going to be like a Manchin or Sinema play,' that's just not true and that's not going to happen."
Fetterman was referring to former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who were originally Democrats but later became independent senators.
Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, lauded Fetterman, telling Politico last year: "He's not in lockstep with the progressives in his party...I don't know if he's had an epiphany or exactly what's going on, but [it's] obviously gotten a lot of people's attention."
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