Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has praised Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) for his open support of some GOP views on immigration, suggesting that he could be the leader the Democratic Party needs if they want to reclaim the majority.
“Listen to Fetterman. He should be the leader of the Democratic Party if they ever want to win the majority again,” McCarthy stated during an interview with Fox News’s Laura Ingraham on Thursday evening.
This comment came just a day after the House of Representatives passed a bill from Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) that supports deporting illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes or domestic violence. Over 60 Democrats in the House voted in favor of the measure. However, McCarthy criticized the Democratic Party, saying that as a whole, they are still “out of touch” with what voters want.
The Debate Over Immigration and Deportation
McCarthy, who stepped down as Speaker in 2023, expressed frustration with those within his party who had spoken out against the bill. He emphasized that the bill wasn’t about deporting everyone who crossed the border illegally but rather targeting those who had committed serious crimes.
“I would expect the Democrats to talk like this a year ago, before the election. Have they not heard what the voters have said?” McCarthy continued. “Remember, this isn’t about throwing everyone out who came here illegally. It’s about people who commit serious crimes like sexual assault—and Democrats still want to protect them.”
This stance has sparked fierce debates in Congress, with some Democrats pushing back against such policies. However, earlier this month, the House passed another bill named after Laken Riley, a Georgia student who a Venezuelan migrant tragically killed. The migrant had been arrested for shoplifting before the attack and was later paroled into the U.S. The bill, which would require the detention of migrants arrested for theft, is set to be voted on in the Senate on Friday.
Fetterman’s Immigration Stance
Senator Fetterman has been vocal in his support for the deportation of illegal immigrants who commit crimes. During a separate Fox News interview, Fetterman stated, “If you’re here illegally and you’re committing crimes, I don’t know why anybody thinks that it’s controversial that they all need to go.”
Fetterman, who has become somewhat of an outlier within the Democratic Party, also made strong comments about the current state of immigration policies. He argued that those Democrats who refuse to support similar approaches to immigration are part of the reason why the party lost in recent elections.
“I think the reason we lost is because some Democrats don’t understand what the voters are saying,” he said, referring to the party’s failure to connect with voters on issues such as illegal immigration and crime.
Trump’s Influence on Fetterman’s Views
Fetterman has also shown an openness to some of President-elect Donald Trump’s policies and Cabinet picks, which has raised eyebrows. He has suggested that he could support the confirmation of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as secretary of state, Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, and Kash Patel to lead the FBI.
Fetterman even met with President-elect Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump described the meeting as “fascinating,” but it has led to questions about Fetterman’s political alignment, especially within his party. His willingness to support some of Trump’s positions on immigration and Cabinet appointments has further set him apart from many other Democrats.
The Future of the Democratic Party
McCarthy’s comments about Fetterman reflect a larger concern within the Republican Party that Democrats are losing touch with the issues that matter most to voters. While some Democrats continue to oppose strict immigration policies, Fetterman’s more moderate stance could be a sign of where the party is headed in the future.
Despite the political divide, Fetterman’s willingness to speak openly about immigration and his unorthodox support for some GOP policies could signal a shift within the Democratic Party. Whether this means that Fetterman could one day lead the party remains to be seen, but his position on immigration certainly sets him apart from many of his Democratic colleagues.
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