As a new crop of far-left candidates threatens to fundamentally reshape the Democrat Party, some elder leftists are beginning to take some flak from their own caucus’s more moderate wing.
And, as in a number of other recent examples, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has been among the most eager to call out the perceived errors of his party’s ways.
He called out Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who votes with Democrats but has long advocated for socialist policies.
As The Hill reported, the comment sparked some public back-and-forth:
Fetterman told CNN’s Manu Raju on Tuesday that the independent senator should “maybe sit a few out,” referring to his endorsements of progressives such as Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate race.
“Maybe sit a few out, Bernie,” Fetterman said. “You’re not helping.”
Sanders brushed off this criticism in an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins,noting the speculation that the moderate Democrat is considering changing his party affiliation.
“John — not going to take your advice,” Sanders replied.
The discussion spilled over onto social media:
Sen Sanders only sees socialism taking over the US Government. He doesn't see that as soon as they do, he'll be useless, not longer needed, and removed from his position.
— Rona P (@RonaShallan) July 30, 2026
BOLSHEVIC BERNIE – WE KNOW WHAT YOU REALLY ARE NOW! You should be shipped to Russia you traitor. You, AOC, The Squad and the rest of your Communist friends need to get out of our country. If you think the American public is going to go for your lies, think again.
— Nlattaro1955 (@nlattaro1912880) July 30, 2026
It's just the perpetual drifting of the perceived political center. Obama shoved it so hard to the left that more and more Democrats wake up one day and realize that they are actually centrists.
— Zack Daniel (@zack_daniel2) July 30, 2026
Fetterman offered a similar intraparty denuniation after damning allegations surfaced against disgraced ex-Senate candidate Graham Platner.
Per CBS News earlier this month:
“Many of these people that put someone like Platner in this seat right now, sit it out,” Fetterman said in an interview with “The Takeout with Major Garrett” on Tuesday.
Fetterman condemned his colleagues in Congress and others who continued backing Platner after problematic internet comments he made years ago came to light, his admission that he once had a tattoowidely associated with a Nazi emblem, and allegations of sexually explicit texts and concerning behavior toward women.
A Maine woman he previously dated, Jenny Racicot, told Politico and CNN that Platner sexually assaulted her in 2021 — which Platner denied — leading the candidate to lose the support of top Democrats. Among those who called for Platner to drop out was Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, who said in a statement Tuesday that he spoke with Platner “about the best path forward for Maine” and “recommended that he step aside.”
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