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Jan 23, 2026

Senator Faults Democrats for Opposing Iran Strikes and DHS Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has significantly deepened his break with the Democratic Party, delivering a forceful and highly public critique of his colleagues’ positions on both foreign policy and domestic governance. In a wide-ranging interview with radio host John Catsimatidis on WABC, Fetterman portrayed himself as a pragmatic outlier within his party, urging Democrats to support what he described as a decisive and effective U.S. military campaign against Iran, while also condemning the party’s approach to the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding crisis.

His remarks come at a pivotal moment. Tensions in the Middle East are escalating, with U.S. military operations entering what officials describe as a critical phase. At the same time, a prolonged government shutdown continues to disrupt federal operations, leaving thousands of law enforcement and national security personnel working without pay.

Endorsing “Operation Epic Fury” and Challenging Party Orthodoxy

One of the most striking elements of Fetterman’s remarks was his full-throated endorsement of “Operation Epic Fury,” a U.S. military initiative targeting Iran’s nuclear and strategic infrastructure. His support puts him at odds with the vast majority of Democratic lawmakers, many of whom have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to the operation.

Fetterman argued that his party’s current stance is inconsistent with its own recent rhetoric. He pointed specifically to former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign statement, in which she labeled Iran as the United States’ “greatest adversary.” According to Fetterman, that assessment should logically translate into support for decisive action when an opportunity arises to weaken Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

“If we all agreed that Iran is the biggest threat, then why aren’t we willing to act when that threat is being addressed?” Fetterman asked during the interview.

He went further, asserting that the operation has already achieved significant results. In his words, it has “effectively broken the Iranian nuclear apparatus,” framing the campaign as a major victory for both U.S. national security and global stability.

National Security vs. Economic Concerns

Addressing concerns about the economic fallout—particularly rising oil prices—Fetterman took a firm stance. While acknowledging that energy costs may increase in the short term, he argued that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is a far more critical priority.

He characterized the potential spike in oil prices as “a price worth paying,” emphasizing that long-term global security and the prevention of nuclear proliferation should outweigh temporary economic discomfort.

This position places him in alignment with the Trump administration’s strategic framing of the operation, which has prioritized dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities even at the risk of short-term market volatility.

A Lone Democratic Voice of Support

Fetterman underscored just how isolated his position is within his own party. He stated that he is likely the only Democrat in the Senate openly supporting the mission, a reality that highlights the growing ideological divide.

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