Rep. Ro Khanna Wants To Be In The ‘Conversation’ For 2028 Dem Contenders

Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna said he wants “to be part of the national conversation” for 2028 when asked whether he plans to run for president.

NewsNation contributor Chris Cillizza and Daily Caller Senior Editor Amber Duke interviewed Khanna on The Hill’s news show “Rising” on Friday. They addressed Khanna’s support for President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at lowering drug prices, and Cillizza asked him directly whether he was considering a 2028 presidential run.

“Are you thinking about running for president in 2028?” Cillizza asked Khanna, a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

“I’m really focused, honestly, on the House and taking it back. But do I want to be part of the national conversation? Absolutely,” the representative responded.

Khanna then pushed back on the 2028 speculation. “But I’ll tell you why it is a premature question, because right now anyone who wants to be considered to be in the national conversation for 2028 needs to show they’re focused on the moment. Politics is like tennis — if you start thinking about how you’re going to win the set, you’re going to lose the point,” he said. (RELATED: 2028 Dem Hopefuls Backpedal After Gaslighting America About Biden’s Decline In 2024) 

The representative outlined what he sees as key priorities for the party moving forward, including securing a Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and “resisting the unconstitutional actions of Trump but also finding a way to support initiatives that actually are bipartisan and can help people.”

“And the final point, which is what my travels have been most helpful, is listening to people, listening in communities. We got to listen less to the sort of George Clooneys and Beyoncés and more to people in Lorraine and Johnstown and Milwaukee to build this party back,” Khanna said.

He also called out Big Pharma. “One of the problems is Big Pharma’s influence in our democracy. $16 billion of lobbying money. They’re ripping off Americans for higher profit while they’re providing medicine to other parts of the world at pennies on the dollar,” he said, noting bipartisan support for addressing the issue.

On Wednesday, Khanna introduced legislation to codify President Donald Trump’s executive order to lower prescription drug prices into law. “Right now, we’re paying two to three times more for drugs than people in other industrialized nations. Now this executive order, codified by the legislation, will allow the cabinet secretaries to put pressure on Big Pharma and make sure that they are not price gouging and will allow for the importation of cheaper drugs,” he said. (RELATED: Democrat’s Radical Frontrunner For 2028 Is A Nightmare Hiding In Plain Sight)

Today, I am introducing legislation to codify President Trump’s executive order, ensuring Americans do not pay more than people in other countries for drugs. Will Congress members stand with $16 billion in Big Pharma money, or with the American people by co-sponsoring this… pic.twitter.com/W2eXfoB5bv

— Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) May 14, 2025

The California congressman has hosted his own rallies in House districts expected to face stiff competition, fueling speculation that he may be considering a 2028 presidential run, according to The Washington Post. However, pundits do not view him as one of the top contenders, the outlet noted.

Khanna has criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former President Joe Biden. In a Thursday interview on The Chuck Toddcast, Khanna said, “Chuck Schumer has squandered any goodwill he had,” adding that his travels across the country have revealed frustration with the New York Democrat among his own party. (RELATED: Stephen A. Smith Says Democrats Are Too Broken For Him To Run For The Party’s Nomination)

Khanna, who was a Biden surrogate in 2024, has called on the Democratic Party to acknowledge that supporting Biden’s reelection campaign was a “mistake” in a Wednesday post on X.

He reiterated his view Friday to Martha MacCallum on Fox News. “I don’t think that’s very difficult that Democrats should just be straight up that he should not have run, now that we know all of the facts. There should have been an open primary. I think to move on and move forward, it’s important to take accountability and be straightforward with the American people,” he said.