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

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

1. Money in Politics: Advocates banning super PACs and limiting billionaire influence.
2. Prescription Drug Prices: Supports Trump’s executive order to lower drug costs; introduced bipartisan legislation.
3. 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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