Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joins for a wide-ranging discussion covering his unique position within the Democratic Party, foreign policy views, and domestic policy stances. Fetterman, who won his Senate seat in 2022 after defeating Dr. Oz, has become known for breaking with party orthodoxy on multiple issues.

The conversation covers the SAVE Act vote happening during the interview, Fetterman's strong support for Israel's actions against Iran, his views on immigration enforcement and voter ID requirements, criticism of Democratic Party leadership, and his thoughts on fiscal policy. Fetterman discusses his evolution from progressive to mainstream Democrat and his willingness to work across party lines on issues like border security.

Party Identity Crisis and Republican Approval

Fetterman's approval ratings show he's more popular with Republicans (60s) than Democrats (50-50): 'I'm mystified by that... I'm honored to have support from any Pennsylvanian'

Evolved from progressive in 2015 to mainstream Democrat by 2022: 'What used to be a progressive is definitely not what a progressive started to turn into'

Isolated himself by 'standing and proud to be unapologetically supporting Israel' as anti-Israel sentiment grows in Democratic Party

Unwavering Support for Israel's Iran Operations

Only Democrat in Congress supporting Israel's destruction of Iranian military apparatus: 'I think it's a great thing to break and destroy the Iranian regime'

Questions Ayatollah's status: 'Why aren't all of the media outlets demanding proof of life from the Ayatollah? Not a peep out of him since that first strike'

Criticizes NATO allies for refusing to help reopen Straits of Hormuz: 'If you consume oil, that makes it part of your problem and responsibility'

Dismisses comparisons to Iraq/Afghanistan: 'This is not nation-building... This is three weeks, not like Ukraine war'

Immigration Enforcement and Border Security

Only Democrat voting to fund DHS during shutdown threats: 'Never shut the government down. Just don't do that. We used to be the party that refused to do those things'

Led Democratic support for Laken Riley Act after working with Katie Britt: 'I like to think that my credentials on border security as a Democrat is platinum'

Called for Mayorkas resignation: 'Majorkas was a disaster, without a doubt... this is unsustainable and damaging our nation'

Supports deporting criminals but protecting otherwise lawful migrants: 'Pennsylvania's top industry is farming... targeting otherwise lawful migrants, I don't think that's what America really wants'

Voter ID and Election Security Stance

Supports voter ID requirements: '83% of Americans support voter ID... 71% of Democrats are okay with that... I'm not outraged by providing ID to vote'

Criticizes SAVE Act for being a 'Christmas tree' with too many provisions beyond simple ID requirements

Cites Heritage Foundation data showing minimal non-citizen voting: '77 instances of non-citizens voting between 1999 to 2023'

Witnessed secure 2020 Pennsylvania election as lieutenant governor: 'Not one single county had fraud... six or seven cases, coincidentally all Republicans voting for Trump'

Democratic Party Leadership Vacuum

Claims party has no leader: 'We don't have one. I think the TDS, I think that's the leader right now'

Criticizes party's inflexibility: 'You are not allowed to be a proud, unapologetic standing with Israel, but it's okay if you have a Nazi tattoo on your chest'

Points to problematic Senate candidates as evidence of party direction: References candidates with 'Nazi tattoo' and anti-Israel positions

Refuses to demonize Republicans: 'I don't refer to Republicans or members of MAGA... They're not Nazis. They're not fascists'

Fiscal Crisis and Government Waste

Expresses concern about debt spiral: 'I'm old enough to remember when a billion dollars meant something... trillions are becoming more common'

Says Social Security fixable with 'small, small adjustments' that could extend it 'well into the 2070s to 2080s'

Supports investigating government fraud regardless of party: 'When it's identified, I don't care if it's in a democratic state... we should all acknowledge maybe there is a problem'

Criticizes Governor Newsom's response to fraud investigations: 'Disgusting video implying that he's a pedophile... why can't you celebrate any journalist doing that?'