Bernie Sanders admitted he and the Koch brothers do have one thing in common

Bernie Sanders isn't exactly the biggest fan of the conservative Koch brothers. After all, he routinely slams the wealthy donors and elected officials he believes pander to them.

But on Monday, the Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate changed his tune ever so slightly. During an appearance at his alma mater, the University of Chicago, Sanders said he'd be willing to work with the Kochs on reforming the U.S. criminal justice system, an issue that both parties have been known to speak out about.

"I am prepared to work with anybody who is working in good faith on that very, very important issue," Sanders said.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Sanders has called for abolishing mandatory minimum sentences as a means of incarcerating fewer nonviolent offenders. Meanwhile, in what some believe is a PR stunt, Charles and David Koch have poured money into prison reform, even forming partnerships with liberal organizations like the Center for American Progress.

But don't expect Sanders to get too chummy with the billionaires.

"They are a very destructive force in American society," he said.