The Daily Punch Fly Out Day: California Rep. Ro Khanna sounds alarm on war in Iran
Mar 5, 2026
Ro Khanna, California congressman and progressive leader on foreign policy and tech, discusses his push to reclaim Congressional war powers and the political fights around Iran. He recounts forcing partial release of Epstein files and outlines AI priorities, chip limits with China, funding strategies, and his national political ambitions. Short, sharp conversations about leverage, legal routes, and campaign math.
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Reclaiming Congress On War Powers
- Ro Khanna frames the War Powers Resolution as a bipartisan fight to reassert Congress's constitutional role over war and peace.
- He highlights Democratic unity (Jeffries, Clark, Himes, Smith, Meeks) and contrasts it with Lindsey Graham's view that the president can act without War Powers checks.
GOP Divided Between Isolationists And Trump Loyalty
- Khanna sees a split in the GOP between base isolationist instincts and fear of crossing Trump.
- He estimates 20–30% of MAGA voters oppose new Middle East entanglements, but Republicans avoid opposing the president due to primary risks.
Leverage Funding To Influence War Policy
- Use funding votes as leverage to influence military policy and make costs visible to the public.
- Khanna points to Vietnam and Iraq precedents and equates $50 billion of war spending to 50 days of bombing versus free public college.