Fetterman on Democrats criticizing Iran strikes: ‘Our party has been often wrong’

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said on Monday he thinks Democrats are wrong to oppose the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities but said it wouldn’t be the first time he disagreed with the party consensus on a controversial issue.

In an interview on Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom,” Fetterman said he expects some members of his party to be opposed to the U.S. strikes on Iran.

“There’s going to be a lot of people in my party that are going to disagree with the strike in Iran, and I actually support that,” Fetterman said about the Iranian strikes. “I’ve been always calling for that thing. I think it was entirely appropriate.”

Fetterman disagreed with those who argue that Congress needed to approve the strikes, saying he doesn’t view the latest operation as America’s entry into war — a move Congress would need to authorize.

He said some Democrats instinctively oppose action the president takes.  

“Just because sometimes it’s… a decision that President Trump did, it’s like maybe, reflexively, you have to be opposed to that,” Fetterman said. “For me, again, I’ve been always calling to destroy these nuclear facilities.”

Fetterman said Democrats have been wrong in the past — pointing to the push for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

“Let’s talk about the context in the middle of all that now, too,” Fetterman continued. “Now, our party has been often wrong, and they were pushing for a ceasefire last year. And now Israel pushed through that and has broken Hamas and Hezbollah as well.”

“And now here it is right now, Israel has air supremacy over [Iran] right now,” Fetterman said, noting Iran’s “capabilities are severely limited” following the Israeli and U.S. strikes.