Representative Ro Khanna is sharpening his focus on Vice President JD Vance, labeling him as a central ideological opponent and a long-term threat to democratic institutions ahead of the 2028 election cycle.
In a series of public speeches, including a notable appearance at Yale Law School and an event in Ohio, Khanna accused Vance of pushing extreme interpretations of executive power. He criticized Vance for suggesting the president should have authority to override Supreme Court decisions, calling the stance dangerous and authoritarian.
Khanna also took aim at Vance’s public defense of a controversial deportation case involving a long-term Maryland resident, accusing him of ignoring basic human rights and moral accountability.
As part of a broader Democratic strategy, Khanna is urging his party to take a more assertive approach in confronting what he sees as a growing anti-democratic narrative. He’s been meeting with grassroots leaders in key battleground states and encouraging young voters and progressives to challenge the rise of far-right populism.
While Vance’s office has not responded directly to Khanna’s latest remarks, the escalating rhetoric signals an early preview of what’s likely to be a fierce and deeply ideological contest heading into 2028.