Democrat Congressman turns on fellow liberal in a betrayal no one saw coming
The Left is fracturing. And they are starting to put their crosshairs on each other.
Because a Democrat Congressman turned on a fellow liberal in a betrayal no one saw coming.
Khanna Draws the Line at “Seizing the Means of Production”
California Democrat Ro Khanna, a prominent progressive voice, told the New York Post that newly elected socialist NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani crosses a red line even for him with his past enthusiasm for outright communist economics.
In a sit-down interview, the self-styled “progressive capitalist” made clear he rejects Mamdani’s 2021 endorsement of “seizing the means of production.”
“I believe, obviously, in innovation and free enterprise,” Khanna said.
He strongly pushed back against any suggestion that workers or the state should take control of private businesses, marking a rare point of disagreement with the far-left mayor-elect.
Public Safety and Jewish Community Concerns Top Khanna’s Worry List
Despite the ideological gap, Khanna predicted New York will thrive economically under Mamdani but issued blunt private advice on two non-negotiable issues: crime and Jewish safety.
“I think the biggest place — and I’ve told him this directly — that he can’t mess up is on crime,” Khanna said, stressing the need to fully back NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and avoid any perception of softness on public safety.
On antisemitism fears, amplified by Mamdani’s controversial past statements and a post-election sermon from prominent rabbi Ammiel Hirsch warning of threats to Jewish New Yorkers, Khanna was equally direct.
“I think he needs to go overboard in assuring the Jewish-American community they’re going to be safe,” Khanna said.
A Pragmatic Socialist? Khanna Bets on Governing Over Ideology
Khanna expressed genuine surprise at Mamdani’s victory—“I mean, if a guy like him can win, wow. I didn’t think he would win. … I did after the primary”—but insisted the mayor-elect will govern as a pragmatist rather than a revolutionary once in office.
He downplayed Mamdani’s ambitious affordability agenda—government grocery stores, rent freezes, free bus fares, and corporate tax hikes of up to 11.5%—arguing it targets relief for struggling families, not a takeover of Wall Street or Silicon Valley.
“He’s saying, ‘Look, people need to get rent that they can’t afford. People need to have childcare that they can afford. People need to have food that they can afford.’”
Describing himself as an “FDR Democrat” and champion of “moral capitalism,” Khanna concluded: “New York is going to be great. I mean, it’s the financial capital of the world.”
