Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., says he hopes President-elect Trump succeeds and spoke out against those who think otherwise.
Fetterman appeared on ABC’s “This Week” Sunday. His 10+ minute sit-down segment was pre-recorded with co-host Jonathan Karl.
“I’m not against him,” the Democratic senator said. “If you’re supporting the president, you’re supporting the nation. And I’ll never be where I want a president to fail. So, country first. I know it may have become a cliché, but it turns out to be true.”
The senator told Karl that he never believed Trump’s move had anything to do with fascism, while noting that it was Vice President Kamala Harris’ “prerogative” to call Trump a fascist during her campaign.
FETTERMAN MEETS TRUMP’S NOMINEES, PROMISES ‘OPEN MIND AND INFORMED OPINION’ FOR CONFIRMATION VOTES
Senator John Fetterman speaks with West Point cadets in the Senate subway on November 19, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“Fascism, that’s not a word that ordinary people use, you know?” Fetterman said. “I think people are going to decide who is the candidate who is going to protect and project, you know, my version of the American way of life, and that’s what happened.”
Fetterman has been meeting with Trump’s Cabinet nominees and noted that his decision on whether to vote to confirm the nominees will come from an open mind and an informed perspective.
FETTERMAN SAYS OTHERS SHOULD NOT BE ‘SCARED’ BY EVERYTHING TRUMP DOES: ‘IT’S GOING TO BE 4 YEARS’
Senator John Fetterman and Representative Elise Stefanik, nominated to be US ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration. (@EliseStefanik on X)
“I believe it is appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. senator to have a conversation with President-elect Trump’s nominees. That’s why I met with Elise Stefanik and Pete Hegseth, just finished with Tulsi Gabbard, and look forward to my meetings with others soon. “Fetterman stated in a post on X.
“My votes will come from an open mind and an informed opinion after having spoken with them. That is not controversial, that is my job,” he continued.
Senator John Fetterman gestures as he speaks at a rally for Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz on October 2, 2024, in York, Pennsylvania. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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More than a month ago, Fetterman said Democrats can’t afford to “freak out” over everything Trump says or does. He echoed that sentiment on Sunday, mentioning again that Trump hasn’t even taken office yet.
Fox News’ Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.
