Fetterman calls Mamdani a ‘clown’ over Netanyahu arrest threat

Sen. John Fetterman, Pennsylvania Democrat, tore into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani this week over the mayor’s threats to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him to worry about potholes instead.

Appearing on Fox News’ “Hannity” Wednesday night, Mr. Fetterman said left-wing primary winners like Mr. Mamdani have stoked what he called “raging anti-semitism” in their rhetoric toward Israel, according to Fox News’ account of the segment. He argued Mr. Mamdani has no authority to act on his repeated vow to have Netanyahu detained if the Israeli leader visits New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September. 

Mr. Fetterman dismissed the mayor’s stance as political theater. 

“You are a mayor, dude. You’re a mayor. You can fix a pothole. You can take out the trash. But you can’t order people to arrest anybody, any more than I could have him arrested if he goes to Pennsylvania,” Mr. Fetterman said. “That’s — it’s a joke and he’s a clown. … So, sit down, you know you’re a clown and you are just going to pander to the fringe, and that’s part of your base, and I know you’re angry at Netanyahu because he killed a lot of people you admire, whether, like, it’s Sinwar or Nasrallah or [Khamenei] in Iran.”

Wednesday’s remarks build on comments Mr. Fetterman made days earlier on “Sunday Morning Futures,” where he first labeled Mr. Mamdani a “clown” over the arrest threat. In that appearance, Mr. Fetterman noted the United States does not recognize the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over Israeli officials, calling the tribunal “that corrupt court,” according to Fox News Digital.

Mr. Mamdani has said his administration is examining whether the city has legal authority to enforce the ICC’s 2024 warrant against Mr. Netanyahu, which accuses the Israeli leader of war crimes tied to the Gaza war. He has called Mr. Netanyahu a “war criminal” who “belongs in The Hague” and later acknowledged the city lacks independent power to make the arrest, instead urging federal action. Mr. Netanyahu’s office has rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction over the case.