Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) didn’t hold back when criticizing former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for pointing fingers at President Joe Biden following the Democrats’ 2024 election losses. In an interview with Politico, Fetterman accused Pelosi of pushing Biden out of the race only to blame him when the party suffered a sweeping defeat against President-elect Donald Trump.
“Pelosi likes to play the role of ‘godmother’ and ‘enforcer’ for the Democratic Party,” Fetterman said. “But now she’s blaming Biden. Well, you can’t have it both ways. You got what you wanted, and now you’re still blaming him.”
The criticism came after Pelosi suggested in an interview with The New York Times that a different candidate, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, might have been better positioned to win if Biden had stepped aside sooner. Pelosi’s remarks didn’t sit well with Fetterman, who took issue with her behind-the-scenes efforts to push Biden out, followed by public blame for the election loss.
“It’s pretty ironic that someone who’s 84 years old is still clinging to power,” Fetterman added. “Why not give a younger generation a chance to lead?”
Reports indicate that Pelosi was a key player in encouraging Biden to step down after a poor performance during the June 27 debate against Trump. Although Pelosi initially denied leading this effort in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, she later admitted she hadn’t spoken to Biden since he decided to exit the race in July.
The push for Biden to drop out wasn’t limited to Pelosi. A group of 36 Democrats, along with Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), publicly urged Biden to step aside, citing concerns over his performance. When pressed on her stance during a July 10 interview on Morning Joe, Pelosi sidestepped the question, saying it was ultimately Biden’s decision.
Biden’s withdrawal led to Harris becoming the Democratic nominee, but the strategy failed to resonate with voters. Trump defeated Harris decisively on November 5, securing 312 electoral votes and becoming the first Republican to win the popular vote since 2004. The GOP also expanded its control of the Senate and maintained its majority in the House.
Fetterman’s frustration reflects growing discontent among younger Democrats who believe the party’s leadership is out of touch. His comments highlight the ongoing divide between establishment figures like Pelosi and the new wave of Democrats calling for fresh leadership.
With Republicans now holding full control of the federal government, Democrats face an uphill battle to regroup and address internal divisions. Fetterman’s critique of Pelosi signals that the party’s internal debate is far from over, as members grapple with the fallout of the 2024 election and look ahead to the future.
