'I agree with him': Internet lauds John Fetterman for his unabashed opposition to squatter's rights
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA: Sen John Fetterman (D-Pa) attacked the notion of "squatter's rights" in an interview with the New York Post, which was released on Saturday, April 6.
"Squatters have no rights. How can you even pretend that this is anything other than you're just breaking the law?" the Pennsylvania Democrat senator remarked, adding, “I am not woke.”
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Squatters are individuals who occupy a piece of land or a building without the legal right to do so, as stated by the American Apartment Owners Association.
Essentially, such people inhabit the property without paying rent or possessing any lawful documentation proving their ownership of the land or tenancy of the building, per Newsweek.
In other words, they do not have the right to access or use the area, nor do they possess any permissions to do so.
What did Fetterman say regarding squatter’s rights in his interview?
Sen Fetterman shared with the aforementioned outlet that he also encountered the issue when he served as mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania.
"We always tried to push back against that," Fetterman said, adding that he was outraged by what he had read thus far regarding the squatting crisis.
"It's wild, that if you go away on a long trip, for 30 days, and someone breaks into your home and suddenly they have rights," the 54-year-old continued. "This is crazy. Like if somebody stole your car, and then they held it for 30 days, then somehow you now have some rights?"
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Currently, there is limited research regarding the extent of squatters' presence in the United States.
According to a survey conducted by the National Rental Home Council (NRHC), regions in Georgia, Florida, and Texas exhibit higher incidences of squatters compared to other metropolitan areas.
The issue of squatters' rights has become a topic of debate nationwide, following incidents where property owners have become involved in legal disputes due to unauthorized individuals residing in their properties.
Internet sides with John Fetterman for his stance on the squatter’s rights issue
People on X agreed with the 54-year-old Democratic senator from Pennsylvania as he ripped the idea of “squatter’s rights.”
One X user remarked, “Wow turns out I like Fetterman"
Another user said, "No one should forfeit their rights Squatters should be held accountable and responsible for trespassing and breaking the law."
No one should forfeit their rights
— Anubis Realm (@DeeSeeMe) April 7, 2024
Squatters should be held accountable and responsible for trespassing and breaking the law.
Another user asked, "Is there anyone other than squatters themselves that doesn’t agree with this?"
Is there anyone other than squatters themselves that doesn’t agree with this?
— Sam Slagheap (@granderpoobah) April 7, 2024
One user wrote, "I agree with him - but who is really saying they should have rights? The states need to fix the loopholes in the laws that allow this."
I agree with him - but who is really saying they should have rights? The states need to fix the loopholes in the laws that allow this.
— Linda (@lchobbes) April 7, 2024
Another X user quipped, "When I imagine a squatter the only image that comes to my mind is John Fetterman."
When I imagine a squatter the only image that comes to my mind is John Fetterman.
— Post-duopolist (@dirtbagleft1) April 7, 2024
This user tweeted, "A squatter is just a thief."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.