Sen. Fetterman criticizes Democrats on border, Israel, and Iran while praising Trump’s Middle East decisions.

Democratic Senator Breaks Party Lines on Immigration, Foreign Policy

In a striking bipartisan discussion, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman strongly criticized his own party's handling of border security and foreign policy, while endorsing key decisions made by President Donald Trump. Speaking alongside Republican Senator Dave McCormick during a live-streamed forum in Boston, Fetterman emphasized the need for bipartisan solutions rooted in realism and national security.

“I thought the border was really important, and our party did not handle the border appropriately,” Fetterman said. Referring to surging border crossings, he added, “267,000, 300,000 people showing up at our border... that’s unacceptable. That’s a national security issue. That’s chaos.”

Despite facing internal backlash, Fetterman expressed support for Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement, including funding for border infrastructure, ICE, and detention facilities. “That’s a mistake that our party made, and that’s the border,” he asserted. “I absolutely support those kinds of investments to make our border secure as well.”

Support for Trump’s Iran and Israel Policies

On foreign affairs, Fetterman praised Trump’s decision to exit the Iran nuclear agreement, a stance that sharply diverged from Democratic orthodoxy. “I really do think, now, Trump did the right thing to break that agreement,” he stated. Fetterman added that Democrats were unwilling to entertain dissenting views during the original deal’s formation. “I wasn't really allowed to disagree politically,” he said.

Fetterman reaffirmed his commitment to Israel, condemning what he called “rank antisemitism” on college campuses and in public discourse. Reacting to a recent attack on a pro-Israel group in Boulder, he said, “It’s out of control. We really need to call it what it is.” He further rejected efforts to isolate Israel diplomatically, saying, “I refuse to allow to try to turn Israel into a pariah state.”

He also endorsed Trump’s controversial decision to relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “When Trump changed the embassy to Jerusalem, people thought the region was going to burn... Some good things have happened there,” Fetterman noted. “That absolutely put me really the only one left in the Democratic caucus talking on these kinds of things.”

Pushback and Political Risk

Fetterman acknowledged that his bipartisan stance has alienated some within his party and subjected him to personal attacks. Reports questioning his health and leadership were dismissed by the senator as part of a “smear campaign” tied to his controversial positions. “That’s just not accurate,” he responded.

Despite the criticism, Fetterman emphasized his consistent values. “Sometimes that’s put me at odds with my party and my base, but that’s never changed,” he said. He also refused to support government shutdowns as political leverage, taking a veiled swipe at Senate leadership over earlier funding disputes.

The event, part of “The Senate Project” series, aimed to foster respectful bipartisan dialogue. Moderated by Shannon Bream and hosted at the Kennedy Institute’s replica Senate chamber, the forum showcased rare cross-party agreement on major national issues.

“We both represent the most purple part of America,” Fetterman concluded. “It’s about trying to find the things we can win together and deliver those kinds of wins for Pennsylvania and ultimately for America.”