John Fetterman slams Mamdani as 'clown' over Netanyahu arrest threat: 'You can fix a pothole'

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., delivered a sharp rebuke of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, mocking his repeated comments about arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and telling him to focus on local responsibilities.

Fetterman's remarks came after Mamdani reiterated that Netanyahu is "not welcome" in New York, a position the mayor has maintained over Israel's actions in Gaza. Fetterman argued that city officials do not have the authority to make such decisions and should focus on governing their own communities.

John Fetterman criticizes Zohran Mamdani over Netanyahu arrest comments

"Now you have the mayor of a city. You're a mayor, dude. You're a mayor," Fetterman said.

"You can fix a pothole. You can take out the trash. But you can't order people to arrest anybody any more than I could. I couldn't have him arrested if he came to Pennsylvania. It's a joke, and he's a clown."

Fetterman also challenged Mamdani's statement that Netanyahu was "not welcome" in New York, arguing that the mayor does not have the power to enforce such a position.

"He also said that Netanyahu is not welcome in New York.

You can't say that any more than I can say, 'Mayor, you're not welcome in Pennsylvania.' So sit down. I know you're a clown, and you're just going to pander to the fringe because that's part of your base."

The Pennsylvania senator, who has frequently broken with parts of his own party over Israel policy since October 7, accused Mamdani of applying a double standard by criticizing Netanyahu while not speaking out against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran's leadership.

"I know you're angry at Netanyahu because he killed a lot of people you admire, whether it's Sinwar, Nasrallah, or Qaani in Iran," Fetterman said, referring to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, who were killed in Israeli strikes.

"He'll only criticize the prime minister of Israel, but he never criticizes Hamas. He never criticizes Hezbollah or Iran. I've never heard the mayor condemn Iran for killing 30,000 or 40,000 of its own young people who were simply asking for democracy in their country," Fetterman added, referring to Iran's crackdowns on domestic protest movements.

Fetterman and Mamdani remain divided over Israel policy

Fetterman has emerged as one of the most outspoken pro-Israel Democrats in the Senate. He has repeatedly broken with progressive members of his party, including Mamdani, over Israel, Gaza, and broader Middle East policy.

The disagreement between the two Democrats is not new. Fetterman has previously dismissed Mamdani's comments on Israel as political messaging aimed at appealing to the party's progressive base rather than influencing US foreign policy.

Mamdani's office has not publicly responded to Fetterman's latest remarks.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has said Netanyahu would not face arrest in the United States if he visits the country in the future.