Democrat Ro Khanna Calls for Party Overhaul While Cranking Up Heat on Trump and GOP

Rep. Ro Khanna, a five-term Democrat from California with obvious national ambitions potentially barreling toward 2028, has been busy rallying the Democratic Party’s efforts against President Donald Trump and his administration’s controversial attempts to undo long-held government policies and slash the federal workforce.

But Khanna isn’t just directing his sights at Trump and Vice President JD Vance, the president’s chosen successor. In a candid interview with Fox News Digital, Khanna argued the Democratic Party itself needs a thorough makeover.

"We have to have a whole rebrand of the Democratic Party with a coherent platform and a future-oriented platform," he said. "Many leaders need to do that. New leaders, not the old guard. And I hope to be part of that."

Khanna stressed that Democratic leaders must get louder and bolder in confronting Trump’s administration. "If you're not willing to speak up about someone being snatched away from their home and deported without due process, you probably shouldn't be in elective office as a Democrat right now," he emphasized. His message was clear—voice civil liberties, immigrant rights, and university protections alongside economic issues.

He also applauded recent progressive efforts such as Sen. Cory Booker’s marathon Senate speech and large rallies co-led by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, highlighting a fierce energy from the party’s activist base.

However, Democrats find themselves in rough waters following last year's setbacks, where Republicans reclaimed the White House and the Senate, and clung to their slim House majority. Notably, Republicans also chipped away at the Democrat base by gaining support among Black, Hispanic, and younger voters.

This political frustration wasn't just aimed at Republicans; many Democratic voters feel let down by their own leaders’ lack of effective vocal resistance to Trump, a sentiment made obvious at town halls this winter and spring across the country.

Polling paints a grim picture for Democrats with recent Quinnipiac, CNN, NBC News, and Gallup surveys revealing all-time lows in favorable views and confidence in congressional leadership.

Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, Khanna plans to push harder in red districts. "We did three red districts in California. I'm headed out to Pennsylvania, was invited to Nebraska, Nevada, South Carolina," he said, optimistic about flipping some seats. "Thousands of people are showing up. I'm very, very confident that we're going to succeed."

His heated criticism of Vice President Vance reached Ohio and Yale Law School, the alma mater they share, positioning Khanna not just as an anti-Trump fighter but as someone laying out an "intellectual foundation for the Democratic Party."

Given the Democratic Party’s current standing, Khanna’s call for new leadership and a rebrand might be the wake-up call the party desperately needs—or just another bold spotlight on himself in the long game for 2028.