Fetterman: DNC Hasn't 'Paid Attention' to Election Scoreboard

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said the Democratic Party has not learned any lessons from its 2024 election losses as it continues to promote left-leaning candidates to leadership positions.

On Monday, the DNC elected Ken Martin to replace outgoing chair Jaime Harrison and 24-year-old gun control activist David Hogg as vice chair along with Artie Blanco and Malcolm Kenyatta. Speaking with Puck journalist Tara Palmeri on Thursday, Fetterman said he's concerned his party isn't paying attention.

"The new leadership of the DNC, the vice chair, [said] you know, abolish ICE and the other thing saying, defund the police," Fetterman said. "I'm concerned that we really haven't paid attention on what happened. And have we looked up at the scoreboard and been like, 'oh, by the way, we've lost.'"

Fetterman has received antipathy from progressives and praise from conservatives over his rightward leanings on illegal immigration, energy, and Israel. The senator from Pennsylvania also took issue with the condescending tone Democrats occasionally take when trying to court the electorate, "I think [Democrats'] primary currency was shaming and scolding and talking down to people and telling them, 'Hey, I know better than you,' or 'you're dopes,' or 'you're a bro,' or 'you're ignorant,' or, 'how can you be this dumb?' I can't imagine it," he said. "And then, by the way, 'they're fascists.' How can you vote for that?"

Noting that he has people in his own circle who he loves and voted for Trump, Fetterman urged his party to distance themselves from the [former House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi-style of leading the party. "People like Pelosi, she really tried to — what's the word I'm looking for? — she embraced this 'she's the godmother, she's the enforcer,'" Sen. Fetterman said. "And now she's blaming [former President Joe] Biden. Well, you can't have it both ways. You got what you wanted, and now you're still blaming Biden."

While many in the Democratic Party immediately rebuked President Donald Trump's proposal for the U.S. to take control of the Gaza Strip, Fetterman said it should be considered and would "fully support" sending U.S. troops to the region. On the topic of illegal immigration, Fetterman once again broke with many in his party by attending Trump's signing of the Laken Riley Act adding, "I believe a secure border creates a more secure nation and it's just common sense," Fetterman said in a statement. "I believe a stronger border is fully compatible with my commitment to immigration."

Fetterman shot down rumors in January that his moderate streak had him considering switching parties. "It's not gonna happen," he said to Semafor "And even if I wanted to do that, that is a rocket sled to Palookaville to try to switch. I would make a pretty bad Republican."

• DNC Elects Ken Martin as Chair
• Fetterman: 'I Fully Support' US Troops in Gaza