President Donald Trump launched his plan to remake America on Monday, signing executive actions to reverse Joe Biden-era policies and fulfill key campaign promises.
He signed the first set in front of a large crowd at Capital One Arena before heading to the Oval Office to sign more.
On his first full day in office, Trump ordered the closure of all executive branch diversity, equity and inclusion offices and furloughed staff.
Senator John Fetterman arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
ABC News spoke with Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman on Tuesday to discuss the Jan. 6 pardons, the Laken Riley Act and his meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. (The senator, in order to hear the conversation better, used the phone to write down the questions that were asked to him.)
ABC NEWS: In these divisive times in Washington, we wanted to hear from a senator who is committed to working across the aisle. Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman was the first Democrat to go to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump. What was that meeting like? And what are his thoughts on the flurry of early acts?
Busy day, day one for President Trump. I would like to start with the pardons for the January 6 riots. Of course, approximately 1,500 have been pardoned, including some who committed violent acts against the police. What is your reaction to the message these pardons might send?
SEN. FETTERMAN: Yes, there were a lot of those pardons that day, some of the pardons President Biden left that I didn’t even agree with. In fact, I have agreed to many of the pardons I have signed as lieutenant governor. I believe in second chances. Some people deserve a second chance and get forgiveness. And there are those who disagree with doing that. So I don’t agree, I don’t agree with them. So did many of those with whom I disagreed with the President.
ABC NEWS: Yes. What is your answer? I know you suggested at one point that you thought it would be a good idea for President Biden to pardon President-elect Trump regarding the hush money issue. Now, we know…
FETTERMAN: What, what I’m saying, though, that, that, apologies that I agree with, some of which I don’t. And I think that’s the truth.
ABC NEWS: Obviously, you sponsored the Laken Riley Act that passed last night. Some Democrats have said they are not happy, including Sen. Kaine, who has called it a bad policy. What is your reaction?
FETTERMAN: I mean, they’re entitled to their own views and opinions. And I think as a person who is very, very pro-immigration, as I have consistently been, that we can be very pro-immigration and we should have a secure border. And if it’s people with criminal records or people who are actively engaging in criminal behavior, I don’t know why it’s controversial that those people have to go.
ABC NEWS: As you know, President Trump declared an emergency on the southern border. Your thoughts on that? Good idea? Bad idea?
FETTERMAN: Well, I think if 300,000 people showed up at the border, like a month ago, not that long ago, I think it’s important to create a secure border. And that’s really where we are.
ABC NEWS: As you know, initially President Trump called you a raving lunatic at one point, but then you backed off. You’re only the first Democratic senator to descend on Mar-a-Lago. A few days later, he said he thought you were impressive. Can you take us back to that moment and tell us how that meeting went with you and President Trump at Mar-a-Lago?
FETTERMAN: I was invited to have an interview with the President and I did. And that’s what happened.
ABC NEWS: Do you share many of his ideals?
FETTERMAN: I, a lot of his ideals?
ABC NEWS: Yes.
FETTERMAN: I’m a Democrat. This is a strange question.
ABC NEWS: Well, I guess I’m wondering what made him go…
FETTERMAN: I mean, there’s a lot of things that I don’t agree with and there may be some that I agree with. But I am a Democrat and I will remain a Democrat. So there are a lot of his ideals that I don’t agree with. But that’s pretty much how it works here. Some Democrats will disagree on many things.
ABC NEWS: Right. But I guess, at one point, I’m trying to make sense of the fact that I’m saying you’re a raving lunatic. And then he describes you as spectacular. Was there an extension of the olive branch, a gathering of minds at Mar-a-Lago, that caused him to undergo at least such a change?
FETTERMAN: You know, I think if we all refused to talk to people who have said things in the past that you might not appreciate, we wouldn’t have conversations with a lot of people among us.
ABC NEWS: I know you denied rumors that you were going to switch parties. Would you ever consider becoming an Independent?
FETTERMAN: No, that was never, that was never part of the conversation. And if you want to choose to respond to some weird stuff you read online, that’s up to you, up to you. But that’s not a part of the conversation I’ve ever considered.
ABC NEWS: The advice you’ve given to some of your Democratic colleagues who are worried about a second term with Trump is to calm down. And I’m wondering if any actions or words he said on his first day gave you pause?
FETTERMAN: Well, a lot of things. Many things But he proclaimed that it is coming and we are there. And we all have the ability to answer every last thing or whatever. But I will continue to find many consistent wins for Pennsylvania.
ABC NEWS: Obviously, as we mentioned earlier, you were able to get a bipartisan bill with Laken Riley. Any other major goals you’d like to work on, getting along with Republicans, on upcoming legislation?
FETTERMAN: You know, as they find and continue to have conversations with members of my colleagues in the Senate. And remember, Republicans are going to drive the agenda and I’m going to find a way to work together on all of those kinds of priorities.
ABC NEWS: All right, Sen. Fetterman, thank you so much for your time. It is really appreciated.
