John Fetterman defends Iran war powers vote: 'I’m gonna back the president'
🚨 SEN. JOHN FETTERMAN (D-PA) just BLEW UP on his own party for becoming pro-Iran!
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 17, 2026
"People in my party and in the media have turned Iran into the underdog. They’re [cheering] for Iran at this point. It’s ABSURD!"
"I’m gonna back the PRESIDENT." 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/k15KiZVfUh
WASHINGTON, DC: Senator John Fetterman reaffirmed his support for the Trump administration's military actions in Iran, even if the conflict surpasses the 60-day 'War Powers Act' threshold.
The Democratic senator slammed critics within the media and the Democratic Party, accusing them of absurdly framing the Iranian regime as an 'underdog' while the US and Israel attempt to dismantle its nuclear capabilities.
John Fetterman pledges support for Trump and military action in Iran
During an interview with CNN anchor Kasie Hunt, John Fetterman made it clear that procedural deadlines would not shake his support.
When asked if he would change his vote once the 60-day trigger is reached, Fetterman dismissed the question.
"I'm gonna, you know, back, you know, you know, the president, I'm gonna back our military and Israel through until those 60 days are triggered," Fetterman said, noting that legal avenues exist to extend the window.
He argued that the constant political pressure to end the mission prematurely "has empowered and emboldened Iran to continue for these things."
John Fetterman criticizes the media and fellow Democrats
Fetterman expressed frustration with how Iran is being portrayed in the US.
He accused some of his colleagues and media members of treating the Iranian regime like the 'underdog.'
"I mean, Iran has celebrated this. You know, a lot of people in my party, and a lot of people in the media, has turned, Iran into the underdog. They're like, Rudy, and putting them up on their shoulders and cheering for Iran at this point. It's absurd. It's absurd," he told Kasie Hunt.
He also criticized commentators like Tom Friedman, suggesting they seem "almost gleeful" about outcomes that might hurt political rivals.
John Fetterman targets critics of efforts to stop Iranian nukes
When asked to clarify who in his party was cheering for Iran, Fetterman pointed to those who consistently vote against military and defensive aid.
He argued that these critics are ignoring the reality of the Iranian government's actions.
"You know, you have Iran, what they've done, you know, the kinds of outrage, you know, with Iranians massacring tens and tens of thousands of Iranians, just, just recently, prefer that," he said.
"You know, that actually must absolutely excite Iran to see, you know, the way that many people, you know, in the Democratic Party, you know, don't back the attempts to try to break and destroy the Iranian regime to acquire a nuclear bomb," he concluded.
