Sen. John Fetterman (D) minimized the threat of fascism with the coming 2nd presidential term of Donald Trump. I think we all wish we could embrace the values of “country first” and supporting the office of the President regardless of party affiliation again. But when the president-elect has demonstrated very plainly that he himself has no regard for the office, and the limitations put upon it, it is a fallacy to say you’re putting your country first by supporting a dictator and, in turn, the erosion of democracy.

While he did not directly ‘kiss the ring’, Fetterman is the first Democrat in Congress to take a capitulatory tone in regard to Trump’s return to the White House.

“The constant… freakout is not helpful.”

“I hope… I hope [he is successful]. Because if you’re rooting against the president, then you’re rooting against the nation.”

The lack of understanding of what ‘success’ means to someone as ego-driven as Donald Trump, and how Trump’s ‘success’ could mean the end of American democracy as we know it, is frankly astounding.

“He had… a sense of fearlessness”

Fetterman continued to recharacterize obvious traits of a narcissist, and possibly someone with sociopathic tendencies, as admirable when he spoke of Trump’s immediate response to an assassination attempt. Trump literally dodged a bullet at a rally on July 13th, 2024 and responded with a fist pump in the air while mouthing the words “FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!”

It’s just sad to see a Democratic Senator falling for Trump’s grift and sociopathy. Meeting with Trump’s motley crew of cabinet appointees, who have been hand-picked to dismantle the US government and democratic system, is not the same as doing so with cabinet nominees of, say, George W. Bush.

This just will normalize destructive and despotic behavior. We hope that this does not prompt other Democrats don’t fall in line like dominos. We think many on the left who rooted for Fetterman earlier in his Congressional career are truly saddened.