John Fetterman Faces Backlash After Breaking With Democratic Colleagues

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman has faced online criticism for being the sole Democratic senator to vote in favor of confirming Pam Bondi as the next attorney general.

Newsweek has contacted Fetterman and Bondi for comment via email outside of regular working hours.

Why It Matters

Fetterman’s efforts to work with Republicans, including being the first Senate Democrat to meet President Donald Trump after his election victory, follow his break with progressives on issues such as support for Israel and immigration. Nevertheless, he has dismissed rumors that he is considering switching parties to become a Republican.

John Fetterman in DC — Senator John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AFP/Getty Images

What to Know

Bondi, former Florida attorney general, was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday in a 54-46 vote.

Fetterman joined all Republican senators in voting to confirm Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Justice.

After the vote, Fetterman told reporters he supported Bondi because of her qualifications, even though she is not his “ideal” choice.

Democrats had expressed concerns that Bondi, who worked as an attorney on Trump’s 2020 election challenge, would not maintain the DOJ’s independence. During her confirmation hearing, Bondi would not say that Trump lost the 2020 election when asked.

There have been additional concerns that Trump might fill the DOJ with loyalists and use the federal agency to target political opponents as an act of retaliation.

While Fetterman’s vote was not a deciding factor in Bondi’s confirmation—since more than 50 GOP senators voted unanimously for her—many social media users have criticized the Pennsylvania senator for breaking with the Democratic Party.

Some have compared him to former Democratic-turned-independent senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, who often used their Senate votes to obstruct former President Joe Biden’s initiatives.

Some Republican figures have praised Fetterman for making his own decision on Bondi rather than following the Democratic Party line.

Fetterman previously said he would support some of Trump’s Cabinet picks in a January interview with the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, adding that his votes would be an “informed choice” and part of his job as a senator.

What People Are Saying

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman on Bondi vote “She’s qualified, and it’s not my ideal pick, but it turns out [former Attorney General] Merrick Garland wasn’t anyone’s ideal one either.”

Progressive podcast host Dash Dobrofsky posted on X, formerly Twitter: “John Fetterman just voted to confirm Pam Bondi—an election denier—as America’s next attorney general. He was the only Democrat to support her nomination. What is happening to Fetterman? Very disappointing.”

Progressive political commentator Jack Cocchiarella posted on X: “John Fetterman just voted to confirm Pam Bondi. The election denier. The election denier who will let Trump break the law. The election denier who will illegitimately prosecute Democrats. What the F*** is wrong with John Fetterman?”

Conservative X user Darien Rourke wrote: “Starting to think John Fetterman might be the only good Democrat. Which begs the question, why is he still a Democrat?”

Democratic Illinois Senator Dick Durbin posted on X: “As I said during Ms. Bondi’s hearing, it is absolutely critical that any nominee for attorney general be committed first and foremost to the Constitution and the American people—not the president and his political agenda. Unfortunately, I am unconvinced that Ms. Bondi shares my belief. Today I voted NO on her nomination.”