Fetterman to attend Trump’s Laken Riley bill signing

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) plans to be at the White House on Wednesday to attend President Trump’s signing of the Laken Riley Act, which seeks to detain migrants charged with some nonviolent crimes was passed by both chambers last week. 

“I believe a secure border creates a more secure nation and it’s just common sense. I believe a stronger border is fully compatible with my commitment to immigration. I also believe our nation should protect our Dreamers,” Fetterman said in a statement Wednesday. 

“I believe this nation is tired of leaders in D.C. prioritizing fighting over governing,” the senator added. “I believe Pennsylvania elected me to fight for a better commonwealth and to work with both sides of the aisle.”

Fetterman co-sponsored the legislation, which was initially introduced by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala). The bill was passed through the House last week with a 263-156 vote, sending it to Trump’s desk. The Senate passed the measure with a 64-35 vote two days prior, with Fetterman one of 12 Senate Democrats voting in favor of it. 

The bill will prompt the detention of migrants who do not have legal status in the country, including individuals who were allowed entry to seek asylum, if they have been accused of shoplifting, theft or burglary. Critics have slammed the provision for violating civil rights by making a person eligible for detention when facing charges rather than after a conviction.

The legislation was named after a Georgia nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan migrant last year. 

Fetterman has repeatedly touted his bipartisan approach as Trump returned to the White House.

Earlier this month, Fetterman met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago ahead of the presidential inauguration. The battleground state senator said they spoke for over an hour and characterized it as a “positive experience.” 

“I mean, he was kind, he was cordial. It wasn’t in any kind of theater. It wasn’t trying to get your picture taken to kind of put something out on social media,” Fetterman said on “The View” this week. “It was just, really, a conversation. We actually spoke for over an hour.” 

However, Fetterman, who has at times been openly critical of his party in the light of the 2024 election outcomes, shot down speculation last week about potentially switching party affiliation, differentiating himself from moderate former Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.), who were elected as Democrats but became independents while in office.

“If they think, ‘Oh, it’s going to be like a Manchin or a Sinema play,’ that’s just not true, and that’s not going to happen,” he said.