Senator John Fetterman (D., Pa.) on Sunday signaled he is open to supporting some of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees, including his picks for Defense secretary and FBI director.
ABC News’s Jonathan Karl noted that Fetterman recently met with Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and asked the senator if he believes he is qualified to hold the role.
“Well, I think we’re going to learn more. We’re going to learn more. And that, that, that hearing, and there’s going to be an FBI background and that. But, you know, my commitment, and I think I’m doing the job, is I’m going to sit down and have a conversation,” Fetterman said.
“And the president picked these people,” he added. “Not going to be my first choice, second choice, third choice, but that’s democracy. And to me, it would be distressing if, if he is confirmed, if the Democrats are going to turn our back collectively to the leader of the defense. I mean, that’s astonishing, and that’s dangerous.”
“So you see yourself inclined to be open to supporting these controversial nominees. You may not support them all, but you see yourself —” Karl said. Hegseth has faced concerns over his drinking and a sexual assault allegation that was investigated by police but did not result in any charges. Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI director, has said Trump’s opponents are “government gangsters” that must be “held accountable and exposed.”
“Potentially. But there is going to be some that I will vote yes, and there’s some maybe that I’ll vote no,” Fetterman said.
Karl asked Fetterman if he ended up liking Patel more than he thought he would and if he thinks he could support him.
“I mean, how much you can absorb in 30 minutes. But I have learned things, and I have heard things, and I have no regrets for having these. I never left any of those interviews saying, well, that was a waste of time, or I regret that,” Fetterman said.
Republicans will have a 53-47 majority in the Senate when Trump takes office. In order to be confirmed, a nominee must receive a simply majority vote.