Democrats Purge Fetterman Over Mullin, Israel, Voter ID Votes
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman faces party revolt after breaking ranks on immigration, election integrity and national security, with Democrats demanding his resignation.
When the Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin as DHS secretary, only two Democrats voted yes — and one of them, John Fetterman, just became the target of his own party's wrath.
The Pennsylvania senator faces an open revolt from fellow Democrats after breaking with his party on national security, immigration and election integrity. Rep. Brendan Boyle demanded his resignation, calling him "Trump's favorite Democrat." Rep. Chrissy Houlahan said publicly she has more success working with a Republican senator than with Fetterman.
This represents a dramatic reversal for the 2023 progressive star who now risks primary challengers from both his former allies and establishment figures. A Feb. 25 Quinnipiac poll shows just 22 percent of Pennsylvania Democrats approve of him today, while 73 percent of Republicans do.
Fetterman cast the tiebreaking committee vote on March 18 that advanced Mullin's nomination, then joined New Mexico's Martin Heinrich as the only Democrats supporting final confirmation on March 23. The 54-45 vote secured President Trump's DHS secretary over unified Democratic opposition.
Boyle's March 19 statement declared the senator's ouster necessary. "Once again Senator Fetterman shows why he is Trump's favorite Democrat," Boyle wrote. "He needs to go."
Houlahan amplified the criticism at a recent public event. "I have more success in working with the one on the R side of the aisle than I do with the D side of the aisle," she said, referring to Republican Sen. Dave McCormick over her party colleague.
The backlash represents a 108-point swing from Fetterman's 68-point net positive approval among Pennsylvania Democrats in 2023. Former allies now question whether he can survive within a party that increasingly demands ideological conformity.
Fetterman's defections extend beyond the DHS confirmation. He stands as the lone Senate Democrat opposing the Iran war powers resolution after U.S. strikes in Operation Epic Fury. "I am guilty of being a very proud supporter of Israel," Fetterman said in March. "And I do support Epic Fury."
On election security, Fetterman offered Republicans a deal they refused. "Stop turning this into a Christmas list and attacking vote-by-mail," he said March 17. "If GOP wants real reform over a show vote — put out a clean, standalone bill and I'm AYE."
Senate Democrats blocked a voter ID amendment 53-47 on March 26 despite Pew Research showing 71 percent of Democratic voters support photo ID requirements.
Fetterman's immigration stance sparked his bluntest confrontation yet. He told Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner to "lighten up, Francis" after the Soros-backed prosecutor threatened to arrest ICE agents conducting raids.
The senator expressed frustration that fellow Democrats ignore violent crimes by illegal immigrants. "How many Democrats are talking about that case? I think probably none," he said about the March 20 murder of 18-year-old Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman.
Chicago authorities charged Venezuelan illegal immigrant Jose Medina-Medina with Gorman's killing. Medina-Medina had been arrested for shoplifting in June 2023 and released. Another illegal immigrant, Sierra Leone native Abdul Jalloh with more than 30 prior arrests, stabbed Virginia woman Stephanie Minter to death Feb. 23.
Fetterman diagnosed his party's condition March 18 on the All-In Podcast. "Who do you think leads the Democratic Party today?" host David Friedberg asked. "We don't have one," Fetterman answered before offering his own analysis.
"I think, I think the TDS that — I think that's the leader right now. You know, right now our party, is, is governed by the TDS," he said, using the abbreviation for Trump Derangement Syndrome.
The senator suggested Democrats would oppose anything Trump supports. "He could come out for ice cream and lazy Sundays and now, suddenly, Democrats would hate it," Fetterman said.
Former Rep. Susan Wild declared "on to 2028 when we elect a real Dem." State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta accused Fetterman of "behaving like Donald Trump's f— intern" and "punching down at his constituents."
Rep. Pat Ryan echoed the criticism. "If you needed any more proof that Fetterman has completely abandoned his constituents, here it is," Ryan said. "Pennsylvanians deserve a senator that actually fights for them."
Fetterman defended his Mullin vote as pragmatic governance. "We need a leader at DHS," he said. "We must reopen DHS. My 'aye' is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation's security."
The Department of Homeland Security has operated under partial shutdown since Feb. 13 amid funding disputes.
Fetterman condemned Philadelphia protesters who cheered for American soldiers to return in caskets. He voted with Republicans over a dozen times during last fall's 43-day government shutdown and was among eight Senate Democrats supporting reopening.
Duquesne University political analyst Lew Irwin sees no path forward for Fetterman within his party. "There doesn't seem to be a path to reelection for him with the Democratic Party," Irwin said.
Potential 2028 primary challengers include Boyle, Houlahan, former Rep. Conor Lamb, Rep. Chris Deluzio and Wild. Fetterman has not stated whether he will seek reelection.
The senator rejects polling that shows him underwater with Democratic voters. "What the base demands means nothing to me," he said earlier this month.
Fetterman summed up his philosophy simply. "I'm a guy that actually represents Pennsylvania," he said. "I'm not an angry weird guy online."