Sen. John Fetterman surprised many on Wednesday by openly criticizing the growing far-left influence inside the Democratic Party, warning that extremism is increasingly taking control of its direction at both the local and national level.

During an interview with Reason, the Pennsylvania Democrat pointed directly to progressive politicians he believes are pushing the party into dangerous territory, calling Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson “an absolute socialist, if not more.”

“I think the extremism is driving it without a doubt,” Fetterman said while discussing recent Democratic primaries and the candidates emerging from them.

Fetterman specifically criticized Wilson’s response to concerns that wealthy residents could leave Washington state over progressive tax policies. Last month, Wilson dismissed those fears during an appearance at Seattle University, saying claims that millionaires would leave were “super overblown” and adding, “the ones that leave, like, bye.”

Nothing screams “smart economic policy” quite like telling taxpayers to get lost.

Fetterman also turned his attention toward New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, another rising figure on the progressive left, after Mamdani proposed a new “pied-à-terre” tax targeting luxury second homes owned by wealthy residents.

The comments highlight growing divisions within the Democratic Party as more moderate voices begin openly acknowledging what many Americans have been noticing for years — that the party’s activist wing is moving further left and embracing policies that punish success, drive away businesses, and expand government control.

While Democrats continue debating how far left they want to go, Republicans and conservatives have consistently argued that economic growth, lower taxes, and personal freedom remain the real path to prosperity. And judging by the growing backlash to radical policies in major cities, more Americans appear to be waking up to that reality every day.