Free Republic

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — At a demonstration against the GOP-controlled Congress, a decidedly anti-Trump crowd has a Democrat's name on its mind: Sen. John Fetterman. "I voted for him. I donated money to his campaign," said Vick Lindquist. "I feel like I've been stabbed in the back as a Pennsylvanian. It's very — I can't even put it into words. I'm so disappointed in him." In his 2022 campaign against Mehmet Oz, Fetterman was hailed as a progressive willing to buck convention, campaigning in what would become his Senate uniform of a hoodie and basketball shorts. While in office, he's grown...

Raymond Eugene Chandler III has been charged with Influencing, Impeding or Retaliating against a Federal Official by Threatening a Family Member and Influencing, Impeding or Retaliating against a Federal Official by Threat, according to an unsealed affidavit from May 1. One voicemail message Chandler allegedly sent to the unnamed member of Congress graphically depicts a scenario Chandler hoped the congressman would imagine where wealth protestors have surrounded his home before "they slit your throat and they slit your daughter’s throat and they slit everyone’s throat." Authorities say that Chandler left a second message to the congressman, saying: "You've probably getting...

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz said on a podcast Thursday that he wants Sen. John Fetterman (D), his rival in Pennsylvania’s 2022 Senate race, to cross the aisle and join the Republican Party. Oz’s comments come a day after Fetterman’s surprise video appearance at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas. “I want everyone in the party. God works in mysterious ways, but they’re brilliant and loving ways and I’m very happy for that,” Oz said on Harry Cole’s podcast, “Harry Cole Saves the West.” “Would you like to see him come over to Republican?”...

Democrat Sen. John Fetterman warmly introduced fellow Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick, a Republican at the Republican midterm convention. The appearance fueled speculation Fetterman could seek REELECTION as an INDEPENDENT in 2028. "His support is so low among his fellow Democrats I am not sure he could hire any staffers or consultants to work for him, so that's off the table,"

In a surprise move representing the increasing estrangement between him and his party, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman made a pre-recorded video appearance at the GOP national midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday night. The video, first reported on by Axios, endorsed both his Republican Pennsylvania counterpart in the upper chamber and President Donald Trump’s economic agenda. “Yes, I’m Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania,” he said in the short clip, recorded in front of a steel plant in his home state. It was being sent to, he joked, “a big room of Republicans in Dallas.” “Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am...

At least 10 killed and 62 wounded in an explosion at a military base in Bolivia... At the Pentagon about 50 officials for the Joint Chiefs of Staff given polygraph... Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky says that President Trump's executive order on beef labeling falls short... US and Chinese officials are expected to discuss AI...safety risks... A new era of "Artificial General Intelligence" (AGI) has been proclaimed by Open AI CEO Greg Brockman... A federal district judge extending her order blocking US Postal Service mail-in ballot rules... Two killed in an Israeli attack on a motorcycle in southern Lebanon......

Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman might want to trade in his black hoodie for an elephant badge if he wants to keep his seat in the Senate: New polling suggests that he could find friendlier terrain on the Republican side of the aisle than among the Democrats who elected him. According to a shocking poll from The New York Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Siena College, Fetterman has become a complete outcast in his own party. The survey reveals Fetterman is underwater at a brutal -41 approval rating with Democrats, while boasting a staggering +52 favorability rating with Republicans. The...

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers remarks at a bill signing event at Cheyney University, an HBCU in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, US, Aug. 2, 2024. Photo: Bastiaan Slabbers via Reuters Connect Pennsylvania voters are broadly comfortable with the pro-Israel positions of two of the state’s most prominent Democratic figures, Gov. Josh Shapiro and US Sen. John Fetterman, according to a new poll that offers a counterpoint to the Democratic Party’s growing divisions over Israel. Nearly half of likely Pennsylvania voters, 47 percent, said Shapiro’s approach to Israel is “about right,” while 43 percent said Fetterman’s outspoken defense of Israel is also “about...

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, declined to apologize Monday night for his "ogre on a pike" metaphor after critics from both parties condemned the leaked remark as violent and, in some cases, sexist."Ideally, you put one ogre on a pike, and then everyone else gets the message," El-Sayed said, according to audio obtained by Politico. While El-Sayed did not name Stevens in the recording, some Democrats interpreted the remark as referring to her. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., who has endorsed Stevens, called the remark a "violent, vulgar" threat and said candidates should be working to lower the...

Congress on Thursday split on advancing a pair of war powers resolutions aimed at forcing President Donald Trump to abandon his war with Iran, as the conflict escalates into a deadly new phase and oil tops $100 a barrel. The moves were the first vote since Trump informed Congress that he restarted the war with Iran following the breakdown of peace negotiations. The conflict’s revival after weeks of a shaky ceasefire comes just months before the U.S. midterm elections. It threatens to scramble the majority Republicans’ plan to maintain their razor-thin majorities. The Senate on Thursday voted 47-49 to kill...

In his latest appearance on Fox News, Sen. John Fetterman called New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani a “clown” for saying he might have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he comes to the city. Fetterman, a staunch Israel supporter who appeared on “Hannity” Wednesday night, mocked Mamdani for threatening to order Netanyahu’s arrest on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court but then backtracking earlier this week while admitting the city would not have the authority to do so. “So, sit down. You know you’re a clown,” Fetterman said, directing his comments to Mamdani. “You’re just going...

On Wednesday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s (D) threat to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was just playing to the fringe and said to Mamdani, “I know you’re angry at Netanyahu because he killed a lot of people you admire, whether, like, it’s Sinwar or Nasrallah or [Khamenei] in Iran.” Fetterman said, [relevant remarks begin around 2:10] “Mamdani or some of the other freak shows that are winning some of these primaries are now hostile and intensely anti-Israel, really just raging antisemitism in a lot...

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Tuesday that Republicans would “welcome” Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) into their conference if he decides to leave the Democratic Party over growing hostility to Isreal among progressive Democrats. “Yes, we would welcome him,” Thune said when asked whether Republicans would roll out the red carpet for Fetterman if he ever decides to leave the Democratic Party. Thune said he’s had “conversations” with the maverick Democratic senator — as have several other GOP colleagues – about a potential party switch. “I have had conversations with him in the past as have many of my...

Shades of those X videos of instant karma for the would-be bully! On Friday’s CNN This Morning, Group Chat member Luke Thomas, an MMA analyst with an imposing presence who doubles as a left-wing pundit, initially sounded ready for battle. After more than a hundred House Democrats voted to block billions in military aid to Israel, Sen. John Fetterman drew his red line, saying that he would leave the Democratic Party if it went officially anti-Israel. Thomas’s tough-guy response? “Good riddance. I’ll help him pack his bags.” Macho stuff, Luke! But Thomas's bravado didn’t last. Fellow panelist Elliot Williams, a...

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...

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Senate Democrats, seething over the Trump administration’s revived war with Iran, blocked a traditionally bipartisan defense funding bill on Tuesday. The Defense Department is seeking more than $1 trillion through a broad package that includes program funding, pay raises and policy directives as the ceasefire with Tehran ends. The administration’s hopes for the historically high request were suppressed on Capitol Hill, where a mostly party-line vote delayed passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which usually succeeds with ease. Forty-five Democrats voted against the legislation, preventing Republicans from overcoming the 60-vote barrier set for most...

The Graham Platner scandal in Maine goes beyond the Nazi tattoo, the rape fantasies, the allegations of domestic abuse, and Jenny Racicot’s rape claim, which ended his campaign. Now, the Democratic Socialists of America are urging their candidates to never work with Morris Katz, Platner’s top aide, or his firm in future elections. Katz isn’t a DSA member, but the drama surrounding Graham Platner's inevitable downfall won’t end when he files his paperwork to quit before the July 13 deadline, something Katz says he will do despite delays on the matter (via The Intercept). Members of the Democratic Socialists of...

Is Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman preparing for a political divorce from the Democratic Party - or is he simply becoming Washington’s most unpredictable Democrat? The speculation exploded after Fetterman and Republican Senator Dave McCormick joined forces on a rare bipartisan fundraising operation that has stunned political insiders. The unusual partnership allows the two Pennsylvania senators — one Democrat and one Republican — to work together on fundraising efforts and promote areas where they have found common ground, including bipartisan initiatives focused on Pennsylvania issues. Their cooperation has included public appearances supporting youth mentorship efforts, discussions about economic issues affecting the...

Sunday at the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize event, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) told Fox News that the “dirtbag left” are “clearly anti-America,” referring to the two members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) who won primaries in New York and Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. Fetterman said, “And in like it. It was a really it was a really big night for the dirtbag left. You know, last week, without a doubt. And some of the crazy things that they’ve said. You know, like clearly anti-America, you know, anti Western civilization. And they actually one of them was...

WASHINGTON — Democratic congressional leaders downplayed wins for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s handpicked challengers in primary races Tuesday, as moderates clamored for results to be a wake-up call for the party establishment. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) claimed the elections showed “a great united party,” and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) touted his “great working relationship” with Mamdani, while stressing there was still some “work to do” in easing tensions with congressional Democrats. “We’re seeing tremendous energy from all different areas of our party. You’re seeing centrist energy in Virginia, Iowa, and NJ. Progressive energy in...