It's a new year and a whole new John Fetterman: He's kissing his progressive ways goodbye
I don't think Sen. John Fetterman is actually a newly minted conservative. He is not afraid, however, to speak up for what he thinks is right, even if that means bucking the progressive mantra.
In our world of tribalism and groupthink, it’s rare to be surprised by anyone in politics.
But something curious is happening with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. The Democrat who has previously boasted of his progressive credentials is having a change of heart.
In fact, he’s become a unicorn of sorts: someone who thinks for himself and dares to break ranks with his liberal compatriots and their established credo.
“I’m not a progressive, I’m just a regular Democrat,” Fetterman recently posted on X, formerly Twitter.
For this "maverick" attitude, he’s received the praise of conservatives – and shunning from within his own party.
It’s all quite a shocking turn of events, when you consider Fetterman’s past year. While running for his Senate seat, he garnered a lot of criticism for not being honest with the public about the full extent of a stroke. And early into his tenure, he had to take time off for severe depression.
Then, there was “dress-code gate,” when the Senate contemplated changing its longstanding rules of decorum to accommodate Fetterman’s sartorial choices. (With his trademark baggy hoodie and shorts, he looks more like a washed-up rapper than a U.S. senator.)
It was hard to take him seriously.
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From progressive to 'conservative' superstar
Then something happened last fall.
I started hearing clips of Fetterman saying things that made a lot of sense. Conservatives on social media seemed startled with how much they like – even love – this new Fetterman.
His transformation began after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on Oct. 7, murdering at least 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping more than 200 citizens, including women and children.
That did not sit well with Fetterman.
Since then, he has staunchly defended Israel and its right to go after Hamas and root out the terrorist threat in Gaza. He has also refused to call for a pause in the war, something many progressives have demanded he do, even to his face.
“We can talk about a ceasefire after Hamas is neutralized,” Fetterman said in a statement.
In addition to Israel, he has said that immigration must be addressed. At a time when many progressives want an open border, Fetterman has called attention to the unsustainable number of immigrants illegally crossing the border each day.
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Fetterman has a nuanced view of this issue, given that his wife, Gisele, came to America from Brazil illegally as a child. She is now a U.S. citizen.
And Fetterman has openly called out the hypocrisy among Democrats for backing the ouster of serial liar Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., while turning a blind eye to the bad behavior of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who faces federal charges of taking bribes and acting as a foreign agent.
“He needs to go. I don’t understand why he can be here, having expelled Santos,” Fetterman told NBC News. “But I’m sure there might be a very innocent explanation of having gold bars in your mattress and overstuffed envelopes of cash.”
Fetterman as a role model?
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think Fetterman is actually a newly minted conservative. He is not afraid, however, to speak up for what he thinks is right, even if that means bucking the progressive mantra.
It’s reminiscent of when Democrats and the news media suddenly decided they loved former Rep. Liz Cheney when the Wyoming Republican stood up to former President Donald Trump following his actions after losing the 2020 election, including his role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
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Despite their newfound fans, Fetterman is still a liberal, just as Cheney is still a conservative.
Yet, what these politicians have in common is that they are willing to break with their respective tribes when they feel they’ve gone too far. As both parties march toward extremes, that’s an example more leaders on the left and right must embrace.
Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at Paste BN. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on X, formerly Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques