What’s played out in American politics in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s Election Day victory has been a pretty remarkable thing to watch unfold from my perch among my fellow cheap seat dwellers.
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I honestly can’t recall a time in modern history when a President-Elect was essentially turned into the de facto president almost immediately. On the other hand, the sitting president – who was forced out of the presidential race by his own party – largely faded into the background, perhaps to sulk and/or reluctantly admit to himself that he is grateful his Oval Office roller coaster ride will soon be over.
It’s been amazing to see some of Trump’s loudest critics go from “biggest threat to democracy!” to “second look at Trump,” which we saw, for instance from MSNBC co-hosts/veteran cocktail circuit fixtures Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski after Trump won the election.
READ MORE: Meltdown City on the Left After Joe and Mika Try Playing Nice Again With Donald Trump
Relatedly, there has also been Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) who though he campaigned for the Harris-Walz ticket also expressed interest in working with Trump should he emerge victorious in November.
As it turns out, Fetterman – who has experienced a political evolution of sorts over the last couple of years – has been true to his word, co-sponsoring the Senate’s Laken Riley Act over Senate Democrat objections, and keeping an open mind and meeting with some of Trump’s nominees ahead of their confirmation hearings:
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I enjoyed meeting @SeanDuffyWI and expect to vote YES on his nomination.
We agreed on many things, especially appreciating him quietly acknowledging the Steelers are better than the Packers. https://t.co/jITqRxvEbX
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) January 8, 2025
There was also this:
2 dudes ➕ 2 better halves ➕ bipartisanship ➕ 67 counties 🟰 a stronger Pennsylvania. https://t.co/HXC8eoajm8
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) January 9, 2025
But it’s Fetterman’s latest move that may send his fellow Democrats over the edge:
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has accepted an invitation from President-elect Donald Trump to meet with him at his Mar-a-Lago estate, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans.
[…]
“I think that one, he’s the president, or he will be officially,” Fetterman said. “And I think it’s pretty reasonable that if the president would like to have a conversation — or invite someone to have a conversation — to have it. And no one is my gatekeeper.”
Say what you want about Fetterman, but he is his own man and does not play by the conventional rules of politics where you’re put in this box or that box because of the letter you have beside your name.
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Well before the 2024 elections, Fetterman read the room, identified the shifting political/cultural landscape not just nationally but in his backyard, and responded accordingly with moderation in some instances and outright (and justifiable) defiance of his party in others, like on the Israel-Hamas war, for instance.
Even if he doesn’t do the party switch thing at some point, he’s emerged as a formidable political headache for Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and a surprising ally for Senate Republicans at a critical time in our nation’s history. That will be welcome news in the coming months as Trump’s agenda works its way through both chambers.
As always, stay tuned!
FLASHBACK: John Fetterman Stirs the Pot With Opinion on the Hunter Biden Pardon – and Trump’s New York Trial
