Ro Khanna outshines Newsom on ICE, billionaire tax

U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA17) may have more billionaires in his affluent San Jose district than any other member of the House of Representatives, but he's showing that he's not afraid to go against the grain. He staunchly supports California healthcare workers' signature initiative for a state billionaire tax. He visits ICE detention centers, using his stature to elevate just how dangerously inhumane their living conditions are. And he rightly opposes Israel's genocide in Gaza. Not surprisingly, billionaires are plotting to oust the popular progressive Democrat from his seat in Congress (free link). Meanwhile, Democratic leadership appears set to showcase another Californian in the 2028 race for the White House: Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom, who has promised in the past to veto any state legislation geared toward taxing billionaires, is making himself both the face and the loudest voice against this year's billionaire tax initiative. Not only has he not visited an ICE detention facility in the state, he instead brings rightwing ghouls--such as the late Charlie Kirk and the unfortunately living Ben Shapiro--onto his podcast to brag about how much he cooperates with ICE. And he refuses to call Israel's genocide in Gaza exactly what it is. Newsom currently leads in polling for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, despite holding just a +12 approval rating in a state where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by a factor of nearly 2:1 . But who, really, can Californians count on to defend them against violent ICE officers? Who, besides direct action groups like NorCal Resist and the Border Angels, will stand up for undocumented residents? And who won't blink when the Golden State's billionaires threaten in bad faith to flee the state? Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms. Support us at https://www.patreon.com/c/thedrain.  Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at [email protected]. We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social