Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman mentioned he hopes President-elect Donald Trump is profitable in his second time period and that he isn’t “rooting in opposition to him.”
“In case you’re rooting in opposition to the president, you might be rooting in opposition to the nation,” Fetterman advised ABC “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl. “So nation first. I do know that is turn out to be possibly like a cliche, nevertheless it occurs to be true.”
Fetterman, who has made headlines as one of many few in his get together who’ve met with a number of of Trump’s cupboard picks, mentioned his Democratic colleagues have to “sit back” over all the pieces Trump does.
“I have been warning individuals, like, ‘You bought to sit back out,’ ? Just like the fixed, , freakout, it is not useful,” Fetterman mentioned. “Pack a lunch, tempo your self, as a result of he hasn’t even taken workplace but.”
ABC Information’ Jonathan Karl sits down with Senator John Fetterman within the Senate Finances Committee listening to room.
Julia Cherner/ABC Information
Requested by Karl what the one largest issue was behind Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss in November, Fetterman pointed to the “simple” and “singular political expertise” of Trump.
“He had the power and virtually a way of fearlessness to only say all these sorts of issues,” Fetterman mentioned. “You actually had been shot in your head and had the presence of thoughts to reply, , ‘Battle, struggle, struggle!’ I imply, that is a political expertise.”
Fetterman additionally mentioned that the election was “by no means about fascism” to him. Harris mentioned in an October city corridor that she believed Trump was a fascist after Trump’s former chief of workers John Kelly mentioned that his outdated boss match the definition of 1. Fetterman mentioned that was not a phrase he would use.
“Fascism, that is not a phrase that common individuals, , use, ?” Fetterman mentioned. “I believe persons are going to determine who’s the candidate that is going to guard and mission, , my model of the American lifestyle, and that is what occurred.”
Fetterman additionally pointed to Elon Musk’s endorsement of Trump as one other key issue within the election.
“It is uncommon to have a surrogate that has loads of fanboys and could be very compelling to loads of the demographic that we’re dropping in my get together and in Pennsylvania,” Fetterman mentioned in regards to the billionaire businessman.
Fetterman mentioned Musk’s endorsement “actually mattered” and he believed it did “transfer the needle.”
On this Sept. 25, 2024, file photograph, Sen. John Fetterman speaks with reporters on the US Capitol in Washington, D.C.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP, FILE
Fetterman was the primary Democrat within the Senate to fulfill with Pete Hegseth, the controversial former Fox Information anchor who Trump chosen for protection secretary. Fetterman has not dominated out supporting him — or any of Trump’s different picks.
“My dedication, and I believe I am doing the job, is I’ll sit down and have a dialog,” Fetterman mentioned. “To me, it might be distressing if, if he’s confirmed, if the Democrats are going to show our again collectively to the chief of the protection. I imply, that is astonishing and that is harmful.”
Together with Hegseth, Fetterman has met with Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s choose for director of nationwide intelligence, and Kash Patel, Trump’s choice for FBI director.
Patel’s vow to tackle Trump’s political enemies has drawn scrutiny. Requested by Karl whether or not he thinks Patel will use the FBI to take action, Fetterman mentioned whereas he wasn’t in a position to enter element because of the off-the-record nature of the assembly, “That is by no means going to occur.”
“So that you see your self inclined to be open to supporting these controversial nominees?” Karl requested.
“Probably,” Fetterman replied. “However no one can accuse me of simply saying I had a closed thoughts, or I simply mentioned no as a result of Trump picked this individual, or no matter.”
On this Oct. 2, 2024, file photograph, Sen. John Fetterman speaks at a rally in York, Pa.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs, FILE
Fetterman has mentioned he’ll vote to substantiate Rep. Elise Stefanik as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He mentioned he can even again Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state.
“Rubio, for me, it is like, he is within the different get together, clearly, however , there’s loads of, the Venn [diagram] is nearer, there’s loads of overlap,” Fetterman mentioned. “If I used to be, as a Democrat, trying to assemble a bipartisan cupboard, he’d be a stable alternative.”
Requested what his message to Trump can be if the president-elect referred to as him, Fetterman mentioned he’d like to speak about alternatives the place “we might work collectively.”
“I would wish to keep away from the, , a budget warmth and among the different stuff, however it is going to be a kooky trip, I am certain,” he mentioned. “And , I attempt to be a dedicated, regular voice for Pennsylvania and to do not forget that we now have to search out as many wins in the midst of extremely divisive instances.”
