Fetterman: Those Who Expect Trump to Fail Are ‘Rooting Against the Nation’

Sen. Rep. John Fetterman, D-Pa., says he hopes President-elect Trump is successful and spoke out against those who feel otherwise.

Fetterman appeared on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. His 10-plus minute sit-down segment was pre-recorded with co-host Jonathan Karl.

“I’m not rooting against him,” he said Democratic Senator he said “If you’re rooting against the president, you’re rooting against the nation. And I’ll never be where I want a president to fail. So, country first. I know that may have become a cliché, but it happens to be true.”

The senator told Karl that he never believed Trump’s movement was about fascism, though he noted that it was Vice President Kamala Harris’ “prerogative” to call Trump a fascist during his campaign.

FETTERMAN MEET WITH TRUMP’S NOMINEE, URGES ‘OPEN MIND AND INFORMED OPINION’ FOR CONFIRMATION VOTE

Senator John Fetterman speaks to West Point cadets on the Senate floor on November 19, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

“Fascism, that’s not a word that normal people use, you know?” Fetterman said. “I think people are going to decide who’s the candidate that’s going to protect and project, you know, my version of the American way of life, and that’s what happened.”

Fetterman has met with Trump’s cabinet nominees, noting that their decision on whether to vote to confirm the nominees will come from an open mind and an informed perspective.

FETTERMAN SAYS DEMS SHOULD NOT ‘FAIL’ FOR EVERYTHING TRUMP DOES: ‘IT WILL BE 4 YEARS’

Senator John Fetterman and Representative Elise Stefanik, who has been nominated to be the US ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration. (@EliseStefanik at X)

“I think it’s appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. senator to have a conversation with President-elect Trump’s nominees. That’s why I met with Elise Stefanik and Pete Hegseth, I just met with Tulsi Gabbard, and I look forward to my meetings with others soon,” Fetterman stated in a post on X.

“My votes will come from an open mind and an informed opinion after having a conversation with them. This is not controversial, it is my job,” he continued.

Senator John Fetterman gestures as he speaks at a rally for Democratic vice presidential candidate for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on October 2, 2024 in York, Pennsylvania. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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More than a month ago, Fetterman said Democrats can’t afford to “fear” everything Trump says or does. He echoed that sentiment on Sunday, again mentioning that Trump has yet to take office.

Alex Nitzberg of Fox News contributed to this report.