Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman broke ranks with his party on Wednesday, publicly criticizing Democrats for refusing to label President Donald Trump’s recent military strikes against Iran a success.
During an appearance on “CNN News Central,” Fetterman argued that the operation effectively dismantled Iran’s nuclear ambitions and eliminated the regime’s top leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Senator expressed confusion over the pushback from his colleagues, noting that the 100-hour campaign severely damaged Iran’s military capabilities.
“I think that, yes, it’s been very successful,” Fetterman said during the broadcast. “And I can’t [understand why] we can’t celebrate that so far.” He later added that the U.S. should prioritize “country over party” when the government successfully prevents a hostile nation from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
This stance has put Fetterman at odds with high-ranking party members, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Jeffries recently stated that Fetterman “knows better” than to support continued strikes without congressional approval, specifically referring to Fetterman’s opposition to a war powers vote intended to curb the President’s military authority.
Fetterman retorted on X that he was “baffled” by the opposition, telling reporters on Tuesday that the strikes removed “one of the evil people on Earth.” RELATED: Pennsylvania Sen. Fetterman “Baffled” By Fellow Dems After Killing Of Iran’s Supreme Leader
While Fetterman remains firm, the domestic response to the conflict is starkly divided. A CNN poll conducted by SSRS on Monday showed 59% of Americans disapproved of the strikes, with many fearing a long-term war. However, more recent data suggests a tighter split; a Fox News poll found the public divided exactly 50-50, while a survey by OnMessage Inc. showed 49% in favor and 48% against.
The human cost of the escalation became clearer on Wednesday as officials confirmed six U.S. service members died following an Iranian retaliatory strike on a base in Kuwait. Despite the casualties, the administration appears prepared for further engagement.
President Trump told CNN’s Jake Tapper that a “big wave” of strikes is forthcoming, predicting the conflict may last only a few weeks. Meanwhile, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated Monday that the U.S. is prepared to take any necessary action, refusing to rule out the deployment of ground troops.
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