Fetterman breaks with Democrats, says he alone backs Trump’s Epic Fury and Israel stance

While many Democrats have raised concerns about escalation and civilian harm, John Fetterman has taken the opposite stance
UPDATED MAR 18, 2026
Senator John Fetterman speaks to reporters following votes at the Capitol, March 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Senator John Fetterman speaks to reporters following votes at the Capitol, March 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator John Fetterman has again diverged noticeably from the rest of his party Saturday, saying he is the only Democrat ‘fully’ on board with President Donald Trump’s aggressive military operation against Iran and is prepared to take the hit for it.

In a recent interview, Fetterman expressed his already highly controversial support behind “Operation Epic Fury," the joint US-Israel military effort to take out Iran’s leadership and infrastructure.

A widening divide inside the Democratic Party

Fetterman’s comments highlight a growing rift among Democrats over US policy in the Middle East, especially regarding Israel and military action against Iran.



“I am the only Democrat that is absolutely fully supportive of what the president has done,” he said, acknowledging that the stance has left him increasingly alone within his party.

“That’s isolated me in my party,” Fetterman added. 

Though numerous Democrats have spoken out about the risks of escalation and civilian casualties, Fetterman has been the countervoice, reiterating his support for Israel and the Trump administration’s approach.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 20: U.S Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) speaks during a hearing with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Capitol Hill on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attended the hearing to discuss U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Homeland Security. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
John Fetterman (D-PA) speaks during a hearing with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

He claimed that support for Israel is not just a matter of politics but also of morality.

“But for me, generation after generation, we are losing support in my party for Israel and really the nation there, the only nation in the region that has the kind of values that we as Democrats want to live under,” Fetterman said. 

Fetterman has long been one of Israel’s most vocal defenders in the Democratic caucus, consistently supporting military aid and rejecting calls for a ceasefire.

‘Moral clarity’ over political pressure

In his remarks, Fetterman made clear he is not concerned about political fallout or polling.

“I don’t follow the polls. I’m going to follow the moral clarity of Israel,” he said, framing his stance as based on values rather than party alignment.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) speaks to reporters in the Senate Subway during a series of confirmation votes for U.S. President Donald Trump's cabinet nominees at the U.S. Capitol Building on February 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Senate voted to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and completed a procedural vote for the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
US Sen John Fetterman (D-PA) speaks to reporters in the Senate Subway during a series of confirmation votes for the US (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“I’ll be the one Democrat to celebrate continuing to eliminate leadership that, just a couple of weeks ago, executed thousands of their own young people there,” Fetterman said. 

He also defended ongoing efforts to target Iranian leadership, referencing recent actions against officials he accused of violence against their own citizens.

He increasingly sits at the fringes of his party, as the only Democratic senator to oppose efforts to curtail Trump’s war powers in the Iran conflict – an example of his independence that is now earning him support from some Republicans while costing him support from the Democratic Party base.

President Donald Trump speaks during a shamrock presentation event with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the East Room of the White House, on St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump speaks during a shamrock presentation event with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the East Room of the White House, on St Patrick's Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Reactions in Congress to the Iran campaign have been deeply divided along party lines over whether the strikes were necessary or dangerously escalatory.

RELATED TOPICS US STRIKES IRAN

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Former VP Kamala Harris said President Donald Trump had claimed to 'obliterate' Iran's nuclear arsenal, but argued that was not the case
3 minutes ago
Trump blasts Hormuz ‘extortion’ vows military action if talks fail to secure surrender
19 minutes ago
Mark Rutte said European allies shifted from defense investment to codependence, with lower spending shaping current security dynamics
52 minutes ago
Melania Trump dismissed the allegations as baseless and said she had no involvement in claims linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell
1 hour ago
Vance cautiously optimistic on Iran talks as Tehran maintains key demands
2 hours ago
Stone warning on JD Vance 2028 threat helps intel chief survive firing threat
2 hours ago
'If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand', Vice President JD Vance said
3 hours ago
Alex Jones said he supported the 'old Trump' who got 'so many good things done' before going on to call the war in Iran a 'total disaster'
10 hours ago
Trump said Biden’s 'fraudulent' TDS program turned America into a ‘dumping ground’ for criminals
10 hours ago
Hunter Biden said the challenge followed a call from filmmaker Andrew Callaghan, who was trying to organize the fight
10 hours ago