Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman stated on Fox News that he would consider leaving the Democratic Party if Sen. Chris Van Hollen were elected as Senate majority leader, citing disagreements over U.S. policy toward Israel. Fetterman’s remarks came during an interview on Saturday in America, where he was asked whether there was a “red line” that would prompt him to depart the party if it moved further left.
Fetterman described Van Hollen’s potential leadership as “troubling,” arguing that Van Hollen has made his name through criticism of the Israeli government. He questioned why Democrats were directing criticism toward Israel rather than other regional actors, including Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. “Why isn’t your first instinct to say, ‘Let's hold Iran accountable?’” Fetterman asked. He also warned against using the next two years for “constant hearings” focused on “payback” against the Trump administration.
Van Hollen announced his challenge to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the party’s top leadership position following Democrats’ midterm election victories. Schumer has expressed confidence in his support, though several Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed, have indicated they would not back him. Van Hollen framed his bid as a response to calls for new leadership, stating in a post on X that Americans demanded an end to an economy “rigged against working people.”
Fetterman has increasingly clashed with his caucus over his staunch support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, opposition to measures aimed at ending the war in Iran, and votes with Republicans to end last year’s government shutdown and confirm several of President Donald Trump’s nominees. His stance has contributed to his growing isolation within the Democratic Party, particularly in his home state of Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, Fetterman faced a 2028 Democratic primary challenger, whom he described as “pro-Hamas” during the interview.
Van Hollen’s bid for leadership has drawn support from progressive lawmakers, including Sanders and Sen.-elect Annie Kuster, while Schumer retains backing from centrist and establishment Democrats. The leadership contest is expected to proceed in the coming weeks as the Senate prepares to organize for the new session.