Earlier this week, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) made a quiet but meaningful move on X: he unpinned a nearly two-year-old post showing the Israeli hostage posters that had lined the wall outside his Senate office. Fetterman had vowed to keep the posters up—and the tweet pinned—until every hostage was home.
Now, with their return finally realized, he removed the post. Not every victim’s body has been recovered, but at least the hostages are no longer in enemy hands. It was a small but powerful reminder of what moral clarity looks like—something rare these days in the Democratic Party:
In my front office I have displayed the posters of the innocent Israelis kidnapped by Hamas.
They will stay up until every single person is safely returned home. pic.twitter.com/qxCmvC97uY— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) November 7, 2023
Fetterman has arguably been the loudest and most unapologetic pro-Israel voice in the Democratic Party over the past few years. He met frequently with the families of hostages and didn’t hesitate to glare down pro-Hamas agitators who tried to harass him in public. It’s fair to say his moral clarity on this issue earned him a rare nod of respect from conservatives.
But, as always, taking a stand that your own party didn’t authorize comes with a price. Fetterman showed real leadership on Israel — and now he’s learning what happens to Democrats who step out of line.
And now it looks like Fetterman is about to find out exactly how much his party values “independent thinking.” Pennsylvania Democrats are reportedly already plotting to take him out in 2028, quietly assembling a lineup of state heavyweights to challenge him in the primary.
In other words, the message is clear: step out of line — even slightly — and the Democratic machine will come for you, no matter how reliably leftist you’ve been on everything else.
Scoop: The 2028 Dem primary to knock out John Fetterman is already underway.
Top Dems are openly contemplating running against him or keeping the door open to a Senate bid in the event he retires. Would-be challengers are bashing Fetterman—and each other. https://t.co/JkC144cISs
— Holly Otterbein (@hollyotterbein) October 16, 2025
According to a report from Axios on Thursday, Democrats are actively working to unseat Fetterman:
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Potential Democratic challengers are already bashing Fetterman — and each other — years ahead of schedule.
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Some Democratic officials are openly contemplating running against Fetterman or keeping the door open to a Senate bid in the event he retires.
Some names being bandied about to take on Fetterman in the primary include current Reps. Brendan Boyle and Chris Deluzio and former Rep. Conor Lamb.
So what’s Fetterman’s real crime in the eyes of his party? It’s not just his unwavering support for Israel — it’s that he refuses to play by the Democrat Party’s script. He doesn’t talk like them, doesn’t dress like them, and doesn’t bow to the Beltway groupthink that defines modern liberal politics.
Conservatives find him refreshingly human because he’s willing to cross the aisle once in a while — and more importantly, he drives his own party absolutely nuts. He stands defiantly against the performative politics of Capitol Hill, which makes him unpredictable, authentic, and, frankly, entertaining to watch. And that’s exactly why Democrats can’t stand him: he’s a loose cannon they can’t control — and that kind of independence is the ultimate threat to their power.
There has been widespread speculation in recent years about whether Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) might switch to the Republican Party, though he has never suggested any such intention. In reality, Fetterman remains firmly aligned with progressive causes, a stance reflected in his voting record. One analysis gave him a 6% “Trump Score,” indicating he rarely votes in step with the administration. A party switch, based on his record and ideology, appears highly unlikely.
If Democrats are truly gearing up to push Fetterman out, it would be undeniable proof that the party has fully embraced a “small tent” philosophy. Step out of line, show even a shred of bipartisanship, or — heaven forbid — say something that doesn’t demonize President Trump, and you’re done.
The message couldn’t be clearer: independent thought will not be tolerated.
Fetterman, for his part, doesn’t seem the least bit rattled. When asked by Axios about reports of primary challengers, he shot back, “Enjoy your clickbait!” And when pressed for a follow-up, his only response was, “Please do not contact.” It’s classic Fetterman — blunt, dismissive, and clearly unbothered by the Democratic establishment’s latest tantrum.
