There was a time, not long ago, when Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was considered too far left for many Democrats in competitive districts to be seen alongside.
That’s no longer the case.
During Sanders’ recent stop in Pennsylvania as part of his “Fight Oligarchy” tour, swing-district Democrat Rep. Chris Deluzio stood beside him, signaling a shift in political dynamics.
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In a Monday interview with NBC News, Rep. Chris Deluzio argued that the old divide within the Democratic Party—moderates versus progressives—is a thing of the past. While Deluzio himself has at times navigated this divide, he’s also embraced the left’s economic populism, securing two terms in a district near Pittsburgh.
Now, as President Donald Trump enters his second term, Deluzio believes the true battle isn’t between the center and left, but between “fighters” and “wimps.”
Deluzio stressed that his more populist stance, including his push for an anti-corruption, anti-corporate, and anti-monopoly agenda, is uniting Democrats across traditional ideological lines. He noted that there’s a growing recognition within the party that “now is not the time to be a wimp,” and that the economic struggle must take center stage.
The fact that Deluzio, representing a district rated D+3 by the Cook Political Report, appeared alongside Sanders in the past would have been surprising. He acknowledged that while he’s uncertain how other Democrats feel about partnering with Sanders, he doesn’t see much distinction between his own message and that of the Vermont senator.
Appearing with Sanders in Harrisburg and Bethlehem over the weekend—far from his home district—Deluzio railed against “bootlicker politicians,” the “oligarchs in the White House and the boardroom,” and “phony patriots” whom he believes are undermining the American Dream. He called on fellow Democrats to unite around a congressional stock trading ban as part of an anti-corruption initiative.
“Donald Trump understood that anger,” Deluzio said in Bethlehem, referencing working-class frustration with the system. “He saw that wound in the American psyche. What does he offer? Snake oil of hate, division, and autocracy. That’s not the way forward. We’re here to call out that bulls—.”
When Trump first took office, Democrats were divided on how to oppose him, with some blaming the anti-Trump “resistance” for his 2020 resurgence. However, as Trump has swiftly enacted his agenda—including dismantling civil services, cutting federal programs, and imposing global tariffs—many Democrats have begun to shift their stance.
“It’s not so much about ideology,” Deluzio explained. “It’s about style—and, of course, substance too. From Sen. Sanders to Sen. Elissa Slotkin, there’s a growing consensus among Democrats who understand the need for toughness. You’ve got to be clear about who you’re fighting against.”
Recently, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., pushed back against framing Trump and his agenda as part of an “oligarchy,” arguing that many Americans might not understand the term, which refers to a system of government controlled by a small, elite group. Bernie Sanders responded on NBC News’ Meet the Press, asserting that Americans “are not quite as dumb as Ms. Slotkin thinks they are.”
However, Rep. Chris Deluzio doesn’t see much of a disagreement between the two.
“Sen. Slotkin gets it. She’s been vocal about the need for Democrats to bring more ‘alpha energy,’ as she puts it, and to fight hard,” Deluzio said. “So, I don’t think this is as big a divide as some might suggest. Whether you call it ‘oligarchy,’ ‘robber barons,’ or something else, we all know who we’re talking about. And the American people know, too.”
Deluzio found himself facing criticism from some party activists last month when House Democrats shared a video of him on X discussing how tariffs could boost American manufacturing—just days after Trump announced sweeping global tariffs that sent the markets into a tailspin.
“I don’t think there’s a real divide on the dangers of Trump’s tariffs,” Deluzio explained. “We need to call out how harmful they are, and coming from the Rust Belt, from Western Pennsylvania, that message is especially powerful. But we also need to offer a different solution. For me, that includes targeted enforcement against countries like China, particularly in industries like steel and shipbuilding.”
“But we also need a robust industrial policy here at home,” he added. “We need to incentivize American companies to invest and encourage foreign investment. Trump’s trade approach lacks that, and it’s something Democrats must offer as an alternative.”
Deluzio, widely seen as a potential future statewide candidate in Pennsylvania, spoke to NBC News shortly after New York Magazine published a detailed story about Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. The report included allegations from Fetterman’s staff about setbacks in his recovery from a stroke and mental health struggles, creating tension within his team and even with his wife, Gisele.
When asked if he believed Fetterman could continue to serve in the Senate, Deluzio said he would hold off on forming an opinion until Fetterman had a chance to address the report.
“First and foremost, I want him to be healthy. He’s been open about his struggles and treatment,” Deluzio said. “I want to give him the space to respond, and I haven’t heard from him yet, so I’ll wait.”
In a response on Tuesday, Fetterman told NBC News that the article was based on “one source” and a few anonymous sources, calling it a “hit piece from a very left publication.”
“There’s really nothing more to say about it,” Fetterman added.
