June 29, 2025

Interview Only: Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), covering domestic policy, foreign affairs, bipartisan cooperation, and political leadership.

26 minutes

Stephen A. Smith is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Executive Producer, host of ESPN's First Take, and co-host of NBA Countdown.

Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), covering domestic policy, foreign affairs, bipartisan cooperation, and political leadership. Here's a structured summary of the key topics and insights:

🇺🇸 Domestic Policy & California 🔹 National Guard Deployment in California

Rep. Khanna criticizes President Trump’s decision to send 1,400 National Guardsmen and 1,700 Marines to Los Angeles.
Emphasizes that local law enforcement is capable of handling unrest.
Condemns violence and property destruction but calls the federal response an overreach.

🔹 Immigration & Sanctuary State Debate

Supports deportation of violent undocumented individuals after due process.
Advocates for a path to legalization for law-abiding, tax-paying undocumented workers.
Cites Trump’s own past support for such a policy and urges bipartisan cooperation.

🌍 Foreign Policy & War Powers 🔹 Iran & Israel

Khanna co-sponsored a War Powers Resolution with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) to prevent unauthorized military escalation with Iran.
Criticizes both Democratic and Republican administrations for unconstitutional military actions (e.g., Iraq, Libya, Yemen).
Believes diplomacy—not bombing—is the path to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Supports Obama’s JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) and calls for its revival with stronger terms.

🔹 On Trusting Iran

Acknowledges Iran’s hostile rhetoric but supports Reagan’s “trust but verify” approach.
Emphasizes the effectiveness of international monitoring (IAEA) over military intervention.

🧠 Bipartisanship & Political Reform 🔹 Areas of Left-Right Agreement

Money in Politics: Advocates banning super PACs and limiting billionaire influence.
Prescription Drug Prices: Supports Trump’s executive order to lower drug costs; introduced bipartisan legislation.
Endless Wars: Calls for reducing military spending and focusing on domestic priorities.

🔹 TikTok Ban

Opposes banning TikTok; supports regulating it to ensure American ownership and data security.
Emphasizes the economic impact on 1.5 million U.S. content creators.

🔹 Fantasy Sports Ban in California

Strongly opposes proposed ban.
Criticizes Democrats for alienating young men with such policies.

🗳️ Political Commentary 🔹 Zorin Mamdani’s Victory Over Andrew Cuomo

Sees it as a sign that voters care most about cost of living and economic issues.
Urges Democrats to focus on affordability, jobs, and AI-driven economic growth.

🔹 Socialism & Electability

Acknowledges Mamdani’s socialist label and AOC endorsement.
Encourages taking good ideas from all sides while rejecting extreme rhetoric.
Advocates for a unifying, pragmatic approach to politics.

🧭 Leadership & Future Ambitions

Khanna emphasizes the need for:
1. Independent voices who call out both parties.
2. Economic leadership in the AI era.
3. National unity over partisanship.
While not declaring any gubernatorial or presidential ambitions, he positions himself as a centrist reformer focused on practical solutions.

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