Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) has urged Democrats to prioritize unity and decorum following criticism of his party’s behavior during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. The backlash centered on Democrats’ refusal to applaud 13-year-old cancer survivor DJ Daniel, whom Trump honored with a symbolic Secret Service role. Khanna shared a constituent’s critique that the party appeared “heartless” and stressed the need to “focus on our common goals” while maintaining respect for bipartisan traditions.
– : Khanna acknowledged that Democrats’ reluctance to stand for Daniel during Trump’s speech alienated voters, calling it “embarrassing” and urging colleagues to separate policy disagreements from basic human decency.
– : He highlighted his support for the bipartisan Take It Down Act, which combats AI-generated explicit images of minors, as an example of finding common ground. Khanna attended First Lady Melania Trump’s roundtable on the issue, emphasizing practical cooperation despite partisan divides.
– : While advocating civility, Khanna condemned Trump’s Medicaid cuts, tariffs, and mass federal worker firings, framing Democrats as the “responsible party” focused on economic stability and veterans’ rights.
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Khanna did not directly address Newsom’s remarks on biological males in female sports, but the broader debate aligns with tensions in the Democratic Party. Search results reveal Republican critiques of Biden-era Title IX expansions, with conservatives arguing such policies threaten women’s safety and sports integrity. While Newsom’s specific stance isn’t detailed in the sources, the issue reflects ongoing clashes over gender identity policies, where Democrats face pressure to balance inclusivity with constituent concerns.
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Khanna urged a return to “politics of respect,” citing figures like John Lewis and John F. Kennedy as models for principled yet unifying leadership. He opposed disruptive tactics like Rep. Al Green’s (D-TX) heckling during Trump’s speech, arguing decorum preserves Congress’s credibility. His approach combines forceful policy opposition with a commitment to civility, aiming to rebuild trust with disaffected voters.
