When he was running to win the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party, Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., purposefully lead voters to believe he was a loyal party member. Now that he's back in the Senate, however, the longtime Independent is changing his tune.

Last July, Sanders maintained he was a Democrat, telling USA Today, "It's fair to say that's where I am and that's where I'll stay." Months earlier, his campaign manager vowed the senator would remain a member of the Democratic Party "for life." But in a Tuesday interview, Sanders didn't even hesitate when MSNBC's Chris Hayes asked the question, "Do you consider yourself a Democrat?"

Without missing a beat, the senator replied, "No, I am an Independent."

Like President Trump, Sanders built a campaign around his reputation for bucking the unpopular mold of Washington politicians. In fact, that very reputation was a major part of what endeared him to his devoted following.

Sanders slammed Clinton for habitual flip-flopping during the race for the nomination, using her record of inconsistencies to bolster his standing as a progressive purist.

"You can't be a moderate, you can't be a progressive, you can't be for the TPP and against the TPP, for the Keystone pipeline, against the Keystone pipeline," he told Joe Scarborough.

How about this? You can't indicate to voters during a primary that you're a Democrat for life and then disassociate from the party after losing the race.

Well, you can. It just makes you a hypocrite.

Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.