Democrat Senator John Fetterman announced he is enthusiastically backing one of President-elect Donald Trump‘s top Cabinet picks.
Having split with his partly over the Israel-Hamas war over his devout defense of Israel, the first-term Pennsylvania lawmaker has carved out a unique position standing on the edge of his party’s rightward line.
So it is fitting that he is the first Democrat senator to have met with any of Trump’s Cabinet picks as everyone else on the left stays on the sidelines while GOP lawmakers take meeting after meeting.
Following a sit down on Wednesday with Trump’s pick to lead the United Nations, Rep. Elise Stefanik, the 55-year-old former steel town mayor gave the upstate New York native a glowing review, all but saying ‘hell yes’ he will vote for her.
‘Always was a hard yes for Elise Stefanik but it was a pleasure to have a conversation,’ he wrote on X following their meeting.
‘I support defunding UNRWA for its documented Hamas infiltration and fully look forward to her holding the UN accountable for its endemic antisemitism and blatant anti-Israel views,’ his post continued.
The image shows Fetterman, 6′ 8″, wearing his classic Carhartt sweatshirt towering over Stefanik who’s donning a plaid blazer.
The pair can be seen smiling into the camera while each holding two thumbs up, indicating the Republican House Conference Chair and the Democrat senator had gotten along as fast friends.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., is the first Democrat to have met with one of Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Above he is shown with Ambassador to the U.N. nominee Rep. Elise Stefanik
U.S. President Joe Biden is greeted by Senator John Fetterman, as he arrives at Pittsburgh International Airport, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 26, 2024
The Democrat is seen as more moderate than many other liberal lawmakers
Stefanik was also excited about their meeting
‘Thank you to Sen. Fetterman for hosting a very productive meeting where we discussed our shared commitment to standing with Israel and combating antisemitism,’ the 40-year-old mother wrote on X.
‘Senator Fetterman shared his ideas for strong national security leadership and I highlighted my ideas on implementing President Trump’s America First peace through strength national security agenda.’
The pair share a common support for Israel that has been on display over the past year.
Stefanik grew in popularity a year ago for her viral takedown of former Harvard University President Claudine Gay and former University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill for their defending antisemitic protests on campus during a congressional hearing.
The two later resigned, as did Columbia University’s former president Minouche Shafik.
Fetterman, on the other hand, has been by far the most outspoken Democrat defending Israel’s actions in its war against Hamas.
His full-throated support even earned him a scary encounter when pro-Palestinian activists protested at his home.
A source familiar with the contents of their discussion revealed to DailyMail.com that a central focus of their meeting was discussing their shared commitment to Israel and fighting antisemitism.
Both Harvard graduates, they also mused about their alma mater, which had become the object of ire among pro-Israel advocates since the outbreak of the war.
In addition to Stefanik, Fetterman is similarly set to meet with Trump’s pick for secretary of defense Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, before any of his Democratic colleagues.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth walks through Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 12, 2024
Hegseth and Fetterman were scheduled to meet Thursday
When pressed by CNN on their upcoming conversation, Fetterman indicated he was looking forward to it.
‘I’ve never heard of him before he was nominated. So it’s an opportunity to just have a discussion.’
‘And I suspect there’s some things we might agree on, in terms of military, whether it’s China or Israel, maybe disagree some perhaps on the Ukraine, but I think it’s an opportunity to have a conversation.’
He noted how it should not be controversial for lawmakers to meet with nominees from across the aisle.
‘He’s the individual who could potentially be the next Secretary of Defense,’ he said, adding, ‘I’m just doing my job.’
Biden and Fetterman take a selfie in Pittsburgh earlier this year
The former Fox News host has had a tumultuous nomination process, having his candidacy clouded with multiple drinking and sexual misconduct allegations against him coming out during the process.
hen CNN asked Fetterman about whether he is open to supporting Hegseth, the Democrat didn’t confirm nor deny.
‘What I’m open to having a conversation,’ he said. ‘That’s where I’m at.’
‘A lot still has to happen before all of that … the FBI vetting and the hearings and all these things.’
