John Fetterman defends Trump on Iran, says Dems can’t demand de-escalation then mock a ceasefire

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen John Fetterman (D-PA) tore into his fellow Democrats on Fox News' 'Hannity' on Wednesday, April 8, blasting them for hypocrisy over President Donald Trump’s two-week ceasefire with Iran and vowing to vote against yet another Democratic push for a War Powers Resolution.

Fetterman appeared on Fox News shortly after Trump announced the pause in hostilities, roughly 38 days into the US-Israel military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion.

The Pennsylvania Democrat delivered a no-nonsense defense of US military action and slammed critics for flip-flopping between demanding de-escalation and then mocking the resulting truce.

John Fetterman slams ‘TACO TACO’ hypocrisy

Fetterman addressed Democrats' comments about the ceasefire, which some in the party have mocked with the “TACO” acronym (short for “Trump Always Chickens Out").

“As you’ve discussed, and I agree, it’s not finished yet. But now where we are now? We’re 38 days into it!” Fetterman said. “The Ukrainian war is in over four years. All these other kinds of conflicts are years and years… we aren’t even 40 days yet. So, where we’re at right now? Yes, it’s like if you make these kinds of ‘let’s go for the 25th Amendment’ and then we have a ceasefire. Then it’s TACO! TACO! TACO! You can’t have it both ways.”

He added that it was “strange to be gleeful that we still need to accomplish some things” in the conflict.

“I’m old enough to remember we used to root for our military, and we would all agree that Iran is the world’s leading te**orism underwriter. They are part of an evil empire," remarked Fetterman, who has repeatedly broken with his party to back Trump’s actions in Iran.

The senator’s comments come as Democrats have oscillated between calling for Trump’s removal under the 25th Amendment over his tough rhetoric (including threats of devastating strikes if Iran didn’t comply) and now slamming the ceasefire as insufficient or premature. 

The conflict erupted on February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched massive coordinated strikes under Operation Epic Fury. The opening salvos targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, missile sites, air defenses, and leadership, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of top regime officials. 

Iran retaliated with missile and drone barrages across the region, disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and causing casualties on multiple sides.

By early April, with the operation roughly five weeks old, Trump secured a two-week ceasefire agreement aimed at halting further escalation.

John Fetterman against Democrats' War Powers vote

Fetterman made it clear he views the regime in Tehran as the root problem, not the Iranian people.

“Every single thing Iran done and is a war crime. Now, we are the force of good in the world and now, that’s where now we’re not 40 days into this,” he told Sean Hannity. “And now, I’m reading that they’re now have to force another War Powers vote and I will vote against that now, because we have to stand with our military to allow them to accomplish their goals.”

The senator has been consistent since the strikes began. In the early days of the operation, he declared himself a “hard no” on Democratic-led war powers measures and that his vote was for Operation Epic Fury. He was the lone Senate Democrat to oppose the initial resolution in March, joining Republicans in a 53-47 vote that blocked efforts to rein in Trump. 

Fetterman has argued throughout that previous diplomatic efforts, sanctions, and nuclear deals failed to curb Iran’s nuclear program or its sponsorship of te**orism through proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis. He has repeatedly praised Trump for taking decisive action alongside Israel, calling it necessary to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and to support a key ally.

Other Democrats, meanwhile, have signaled they will force another War Powers vote next week upon returning from recess, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer leading the charge.

Critics within the party have labeled the initial strikes “unnecessary” or even “illegal,” while some have accused Trump of recklessness that risked wider regional war.