Fetterman Slams Democratic Border Policies as 'Chaos' and 'Unacceptable' During Bipartisan Discussion

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman criticizes his own party's immigration policies, calling past illegal entries "unacceptable" during bipartisan forum.

Fetterman Slams Democratic Border Policies as 'Chaos' and 'Unacceptable' During Bipartisan Discussion

Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman (Democrat) and Dave McCormick (Republican) appeared together at a bipartisan forum, urging for stronger border security while highlighting the need for civil dialogue across party lines. In a candid exchange, Senator Fetterman openly acknowledged the friction within his own party regarding the border issue, stating, "I've lost some support in my party. I thought the border was really important, and our party did not handle the border appropriately."

Fetterman emphasized the scale of the border crisis by referencing recent surges in undocumented crossings, comparing their numbers to the population size of Pittsburgh. "267,000, 300,000 people showing up at our border... that's unacceptable. And that's a national security issue," he remarked. He stressed that advocating for effective border security does not conflict with supporting immigration, saying, "A secure border, being very pro-immigration, that's who I am as a Democrat."

The discussion highlighted the internal disagreements within the Democratic Party, with Fetterman pointing out that his stance on the border has put him "at odds with his base." He reiterated that his values have "never changed" and underscored the importance of finding bipartisan solutions—especially ahead of the November presidential election, where immigration and border security are key topics influencing voters.

Throughout the forum, Fetterman repeatedly struck a bipartisan tone. "We are going to disagree and vote on different things," he said. "But for me, it's about trying to find the things we can win together and deliver those kinds of wins for Pennsylvania and ultimately for America."

The senators' conversation extended beyond border security to other controversial issues, including the rise of antisemitism on college campuses. Fetterman strongly condemned recent incidents, referring to the terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, and called on political leaders to confront antisemitism directly. "The rank antisemitism—it's out of control," Fetterman stated, acknowledging that his outspoken support for Israel has further distanced him from segments of his party.

The bipartisan forum is part of a broader initiative designed to foster civil discussion between lawmakers from opposing parties. The Senate Project series aims to bridge partisan divides and encourage collaborative problem-solving on the nation’s most pressing issues. Organizers expressed hope that such public conversations would promote understanding and advance practical solutions at a time of heightened polarization.