Fetterman threatens to abandon Democrats

Avery Lotz

John Fetterman — a tall, bald man with a beard wearing a dark hoodie — gets into an elevator at the U.S. Capitol. — Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) departs following the passage of a reconciliation package at the U.S. Capitol on June 5. Photo: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said he'd leave the Democratic Party if it becomes the "anti-Israel party," though he signaled he had no plans to imminently depart the caucus.

Why it matters: Republicans currently hold a narrow Senate majority, but with midterm elections looming, Fetterman's comments could be a blow to Democrats should they flip four seats in November and regain control.

Fetterman acknowledged the Democrats' difficult Senate math when speaking Wednesday at The Hill Nation Summit: "And if we flip those four seats, then I would be 51, and ... watch what I do."
He continued, "I'm the guy that would be there that 51 as the committed Democrat."

Driving the news: Democrats have grown more disillusioned and angry toward Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as evidenced by Wednesday's vote to prevent the State Department from funding the nation.

While the measure, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), failed, more than 100 House Democrats, plus Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), voted for it.

What they're saying: "If our party ever becomes, and just make it official, as the anti-Israel party ... that's when I would leave because that's a bit of moral clarity for me," Fetterman said at the summit.

Fetterman's office did not immediately respond to Axios' request to elaborate on what that boundary looks like for him.
However, Fetterman said at Wednesday's summit that he is "never changing" his party — except for "that one condition."

Catch up quick: While the hoodie-wearing Pennsylvanian's cross-aisle voting has earned him a softer reception from some on the right, his own party has raged against him.

After Fetterman cast the deciding vote to advance Markwayne Mullin's nomination for DHS secretary, Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) wrote, "He needs to go," calling the senator "Trump's favorite Democrat."
More than half of Pennsylvania voters want to see Fetterman leave the party, per a recent Quinnipiac University poll of 895 self-identified registered voters.
Fetterman is likely to face a fierce primary challenge in 2028.

Go deeper: Scoop: Dems plot Fetterman ouster

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Fetterman threatens to abandon Democrats

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