Ro Khanna urges Democrats to drop Hasan Piker attacks and focus on voter motivation

In a social-media message, Rep. Ro Khanna urged fellow Democrats to abandon their attacks on progressive influencer Hasan Piker, arguing that such disputes sap enthusiasm among left-leaning voters. He linked the issue to past elections where demoralized Democrats stayed home, citing 2016 and 2024 as examples. Khanna suggested the party should redirect its energy toward exposing Trump-related corporate corruption rather than targeting Piker or labeling Bernie Sanders an antisemitist.

The call arrives as the Democratic Party grapples with internal divisions over Israel and accusations of antisemitism, highlighted by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemning Piker’s comments about Jewish Americans. Khanna also criticized the leadership for appointing Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a pro-Israel Jewish lawmaker, as ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, a position that would become chair if Democrats regain the House. Former Obama adviser Ben Rhodes described the appointment as a harsh rebuke from Democratic leaders to their base.