ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Johnathan Karl spoke with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) over the weekend and asked the centrist Democrat about meeting with some of President-elect Donald Trump’s most controversial nominees for his incoming administration.
“You met with Kash Patel, I believe, right?” Karl asked Fetterman.
“Yesterday. Well, yes,” replied Fetterman, who has been recovering from a stroke that hindered his speech.
“He’s talked about going after Trump’s enemies,” Karl pressed.
“Yeah. And I– and we’ve had conversations, but we we had a, you know, all of all of these all of these interviews were all off the record and those things. So I’m not going to go into detail but but he absolutely– that’s never going to happen,” Fetterman said.
Karl jumped in, “He’s not going to use the FBI to go after Trump’s enemies?”
“No, that’s not it,” Fetterman said of Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI.
“Did you believe him? I mean he’s written it down,” followed up Karl.
“No, that’s what he claims. Yeah. And I found out, you know, his family’s origin story and immigration. And we talked about that and my wife, my family. Immigration and things. And so I learned things about him. I never knew that he was a public defender,” Fetterman added.
“So did you come across liking Kash Patel more than you thought you would? Think you could support him?” Karl asked.
“I mean, it’s how much you can absorb in 30 minutes. Yeah, but I have learned things and I have heard things and I have no regrets for having these. I never left any of those interviews saying, well, that was a waste of time or I regret that,” Fetterman replied.
“Have you talked to Trump since the election?” Karl added.
“I have not. I have not. No,” Fetterman responded.
“So I assume he’s going to call you at some point. What is your message to him after he sees this?” Karl pressed.
“ Well, what would I say to him, I’d be like, well, ‘Hey, well, congratulations’ and have an honest conversations of things. I would like to we could work together and some things we’re going to disagree. I’d like to avoid the, you know, the cheap heat and some of the other stuff, but it’s going to be a kooky ride, I’m sure. And, you know, I try to be a committed, steady voice for Pennsylvania and to remember that we have to find as many wins in the middle of an incredibly divisive times,” Fetterman said.
Watch the clip above via ABC News.
