WASHINGTON — Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) publicly criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for endorsing candidates Fetterman characterized as radical and harmful to the Democratic Party.
Fetterman specifically targeted Sanders' support for Graham Platner, a former Maine Senate candidate, and Abdul El-Sayed, a current Michigan Senate candidate. Fetterman called Platner an "accused rapist" and labeled El-Sayed "essentially a pro-Hamas candidate that's been anti-American and deeply anti-Israel."
"Bernie's not flipping seats," Fetterman said, contrasting his own electoral record. "He is helping install volatile and dangerous kinds of candidates that now put Democratic seats at risk."
Fetterman made his initial remarks on Fox News's "Saturday in America" during an interview with Kayleigh McEnany. He reiterated his critique earlier this week, calling on Sanders to "humble yourself" and "sit a few out."
Sanders dismissed the attacks, saying he does not place "too much credibility" in Fetterman's criticism. The Vermont senator made his comments during an appearance on CNN with Kaitlan Collins.
Sanders has a history of endorsing left-wing candidates in Democratic primaries. In the case of El-Sayed, Sanders appeared at a rally in Detroit alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) to support the Michigan candidate.
The clash exposes a widening split between the party's centrist and progressive wings. Fetterman, who flipped a key Senate seat in Pennsylvania in 2022, has positioned himself as a voice for electability in swing states — a direct challenge to Sanders' strategy of pulling the party left.
The outcome of races involving Sanders-backed candidates will test his continued influence in Democratic primaries.
