Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) ignited a fiery exchange on The View Monday when he suggested that former President Donald Trump’s controversial New York City “hush money” trial was driven by political motivations.

Fetterman, who made headlines earlier this month for visiting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, appeared on the ABC talk show dressed in his signature hoodie. Throughout the appearance, the first-term senator addressed a wide variety of topics, including Hunter Biden and Trump’s controversial pardon of individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.

The appearance was notable for more than just Fetterman’s relaxed attire; it was his comments regarding Trump’s Manhattan trial that left co-host Sunny Hostin visibly upset. The trial had resulted in a no-penalty ruling for Trump on January 10, after charges related to alleged hush-money payments. Fetterman, however, didn’t mince words when discussing the case, which has been a focal point of national political debates.

In an unexpected remark, Fetterman aligned himself with critics of the prosecution, stating, “I’m on record criticizing, going after Hunter Biden. And I also agree that the [Trump hush-money] trial in this city, in New York, was politically driven.” He further added, “That wouldn’t otherwise have been prosecuted if it was someone else,” reflecting his stance that political motivations had clouded the legal proceedings.

The comment quickly drew the ire of Hostin, who pressed the senator for clarification. “Just for clarification: Did you mean that the 34-count case in which Donald Trump was found guilty of several financial crimes was politically motivated here in New York?” she demanded, clearly taken aback by Fetterman’s bold claim.

Remaining steadfast, Fetterman doubled down on his position. He argued that the use of the judicial system for political purposes—whether by Democrats or Republicans—undermines the impartiality that should be the foundation of the U.S. legal system. “I like to think I call it strikes and balls,” he clarified. “The judicial system has to remain impartial. That’s really the cornerstone of our society.”

Fetterman’s comments about the trial echoed sentiments shared earlier by other Democrats, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. During a Real Time with Bill Maher appearance this summer, Cuomo remarked that if Trump weren’t running for president, the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg likely wouldn’t have been pursued.

As the debate over the trial continues to unfold, Fetterman’s remarks only add fuel to the fire, leaving viewers on both sides of the aisle questioning the true motivations behind the high-profile case.

Sources: New York Post