The Breakfast Club Interview: Rep. Ro Khanna Talks Epstein Files, War Powers Resolution, Iran, Plans For Higher Office & More

Podcast: The Breakfast Club (The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts)
Air Date: March 4, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Rye, Mimi Brown
Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna (U.S. Representative, California’s 17th District)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Breakfast Club features a candid, wide-ranging interview with Congressman Ro Khanna. The conversation dives into Khanna's prominent fights in Congress, especially his leadership on the release of the Epstein files, efforts to limit presidential war powers regarding Iran, proposals for billionaire taxation, his positions on higher office and term limits, and his views on campaign finance and the shifting political landscape. Throughout, Khanna emphasizes the need for courage and accountability in American politics, delivering a clear progressive critique of establishment power and political complacency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Congressman Khanna's Approach: Picking Fights with the Establishment

• Opening: DJ Envy remarks on whether Khanna feels “there’s a target on you,” given his many contentious battles.
• Khanna recounts taking on powerful interests:
  • The Epstein files release ("the survivors get the most credit")
  • Challenging AIPAC
  • Iran War Powers Resolution with Rep. Thomas Massie
  • Working on billionaire tax efforts with Sen. Bernie Sanders
• Notable Quote:
  • “Courage is the new charisma. What people want is actual conviction.” — Ro Khanna (05:32)

2. Epstein Files Legislation & Accountability

• Work with Rep. Massie: Explained bi-partisan approach: both are anti-war and anti-corruption, regardless of party lines.
• On building a coalition:
  • “We got Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nancy Mace, Lauren Boebert, the entire Democratic Party… and Donald Trump ended up signing the bill without knowing it was mine.” (07:37)
• On Political Risks:
  • Facing primary challenges, targeted by billionaire-backed opposition.
  • “Some say people who are against the billionaire tax… have their names all over the Epstein files.” (09:05)
• Wealth Concentration:
  • “19 billionaires own 12.5% of the wealth. In the Gilded Age… they owned 4%, and they built libraries and hospitals. We don’t have that with the billionaires.” (09:20)

3. Shocking Extent of the Epstein Network

• On Jeffrey Epstein’s Influence:
  • “It’s like, how is everyone involved in it? How does this guy know more people than, like, heads of state?” (10:25)
  • “He’s like… let me arrange a meeting for the Prime Minister of India… every Silicon Valley big shot wants to be part of his club.” (10:35)
  • DJ Envy jokes: “You believe he’s a time traveler? The way he’s connected to everybody is kind of spooky.” (11:00)
• On Distraction by War:
  • Khanna suggests the new Iran war became a distraction from the Epstein headlines:
    • “Massey believes it’s a total distraction. I certainly think Trump wanted to change the headlines.” (11:36)

4. Why the Files Weren’t Released Under Biden/DOJ

• Explaining Redaction & Law:
  • Only with Congressional action could DOJ release the files; longstanding policy prevents release when charges haven’t been filed.
  • “Survivors have been shafted and abandoned for the past 30 years. It should’ve been all of us speaking out earlier.” (12:57)
  • Emphasis on bipartisan coalition, including Trump supporters, to get justice for survivors.
• Impact:
  • “We actually got a coalition that got MAGA to split with Donald Trump.” (14:22)

5. Accountability & the Justice System

• Many believe no one will be held responsible for the Epstein crimes.
• “People have lost jobs… but I don’t think that’s enough. Nancy Mace and I are actually partnering to get two subpoenas out — one to Bill Gates… one to Howard Lutnick.” (15:10)
• “Not under this Attorney General, not under Pam Bondi. What we need is the next president to actually appoint people who are going to prosecute this. By the way, no statute of limitations for sex trafficking.” (16:14)

6. Failures of Justice: Merrick Garland

• Biggest Legal Failures: Not prosecuting Trump and not acting on Epstein files.
  • “Look, I respect Merrick Garland… but he was not the right person for that time for being Attorney General.” (16:42)
  • Cites Kamala Harris’s prosecutorial temperament as an ideal approach.
  • “We cannot move on without accountability… This Epstein class needs to have prosecutions and investigations.” (17:14)

7. Ongoing Redactions and Calls for Full Transparency

• Status: Only half the Epstein files released; the worst details — survivors’ direct testimony naming names — are still sealed.
  • “Even members of Congress are just seeing pages of blacked out… information of who these men are.” (25:25)
• Mutual Protection Among Elites:
  • “It’s a club.” (20:28)
  • “Guess who did not want Bill Clinton to testify the most? Donald Trump.” (20:28)
  • “If it’s all a hoax, release the files — what are you hiding?” (26:32)

8. Iran War Powers, Anti-War Principles & Democratic Divisions

• Upcoming War Powers Vote:
  • “I don’t see how you can be a Democrat and vote against this… This is a vote of war or peace. This is as big a deal as the Iraq war.” (27:15)
  • Names fence-sitting Dems: Gottheimer, Landsman, Moskowitz. (27:33)
• Significance even if Trump vetoes:
  • “If we could pass this, it would be a huge blow to [Trump’s] support in prosecuting the war. It would shorten the duration…” (28:03)
• Critique of Trump’s Foreign Policy:
  • “They lied about Epstein, they lied about being against war…” (29:13)
  • “The Democrats need to… lead as the anti-war party.” (29:14)

9. Netanyahu, Regional War, and American Interests

• On U.S./Israel/Iran Dynamics:
  • “Netanyahu has wanted to do this for the last 30 years. He finally found a president who would go along with him.” (31:25)
  • “They want to weaken the IRGC… but really, we want Americans dying for that?” (32:07)
  • “You're telling protesters: ‘Take back the country,’ with no plan, knowing they could get slaughtered.” (32:35)

10. Political Reform: Term Limits

• On Seniority vs. Term Limits:
  • Recognizes Black politicians built power through Congressional seniority:
  • “You can't just take away the one place that the Black community has built power after years of segregation and discrimination.” (41:10)
  • He supports 12-year term limits for House/Senate, but would grandfather in current members.
• Own Higher Aspirations:
  • If he ran for president, it would be on “taxing billionaires, single-payer healthcare, free universal childcare, and economic patriotism — views more economically populist” than, for example, Gavin Newsom (43:41).

11. AIPAC, Gaza, and the Shifting Democratic Landscape

• Tensions around AIPAC:
  • “I don't believe we should be taking money from AIPAC… We should be clear that what happened in Gaza was a genocide… that we need to enforce the Leahy laws.” (44:42)
  • Predicts Democratic candidates will increasingly refuse AIPAC funding in coming cycles. (46:13)
  • “My stance on the Epstein class and billionaire tax is of much bigger political risk now than my stance against AIPAC.” (48:57)

12. Money in Politics & Systemic Reform

• On Campaign Finance:
  • “Anyone in the system is to some extent compromised… Super PACs have to go.” (49:04)
  • “Biden was way more progressive than the House and Senate were… money in politics is the cardinal sin of our system.” (49:04)
• On the 2026 Midterms:
  • Supporting Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker.
  • “He gives a large latitude to progressives in the caucus… and, he doesn't have a heavy fist.” (51:13)
• Fears about Election Security:
  • “Trump will try everything… to prevent [a fair election]. We’ve got to make it too big to rig.” (52:35)

13. Real Accountability: Impeachment & Change

• On Accountability if Democrats win back the House:
  • “Impeaching is the table stakes. But we've got to have accountability… We never had accountability for bankers, for the people who tortured folks in Iraq, for the Epstein class.” (56:01)
  • Stresses need for prosecutions, investigations, and truth.

14. Reflections on Political Courage vs. Political Showmanship

• Khanna laments performative politics and lack of substance, calling for real conviction and courage to face entrenched powers. (End)
• “I just think there's… a lot of showmen. We need actual substance. We need real people who are going to take on real fights… that's why you get into politics.” (63:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Courage is the new charisma.” — Ro Khanna (05:32)
• “Some say people who are against the billionaire tax… have their names all over the Epstein files.” — Ro Khanna (09:05)
• “It’s like, how is everyone involved in [Epstein]? How does this guy know more people than, like, heads of state?” — Ro Khanna (10:25)
• “If it’s all a hoax, release the files — what are you hiding?” — Ro Khanna (26:32)
• “They lied about Epstein, they lied about being against war.” — Ro Khanna (29:13)
• “Netanyahu has wanted to do this for 30 years. He finally found a president who would go along…” — Ro Khanna (31:25)
• “You can't just take away the one place that the Black community has built power…” — Ro Khanna (41:10)
• “My stance against the Epstein class and for a billionaire tax is… much bigger political risk now than my stance against AIPAC.” — Ro Khanna (48:57)
• “Impeaching is table stakes… But we’ve got to have accountability… We never had accountability for the bankers… for the Epstein class.” — Ro Khanna (56:01)
• “We need actual substance. We need real people who are going to take on real fights…” — Ro Khanna (63:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp (MM:SS) | |-----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------| | Khanna’s multiple fights: Epstein, war, billionaires | 04:43 – 05:55 | | How the Epstein files legislation passed | 06:22 – 07:37 | | Why didn’t Biden’s DOJ release Epstein files earlier | 12:56 – 14:59 | | On lack of justice system accountability | 15:10 – 16:42 | | On Merrick Garland’s failures | 16:42 – 17:30 | | War Powers Resolution, Iran | 26:39 – 29:56 | | The “club” of mutual elite protection | 20:20 – 21:40 | | Netanyahu’s motivations; regime change in Iran | 31:22 – 32:35 | | Deep dive on term limits & Black Congressional power | 39:52 – 41:10 | | Khanna’s economic populism vs Gavin Newsom | 43:33 – 43:51 | | On AIPAC, campaign finance, Gaza | 44:42 – 49:04 | | Election security & the Save America Act | 52:32 – 54:56 | | What real accountability would look like | 56:01 – 57:29 | | Political courage vs. showmanship | 63:51 – 64:34 |

Tone & Closing Remarks

Khanna repeatedly stresses the need for moral clarity, transparency, and backbone in American politics, often through a measured but passionate tone. The hosts engage throughout with pointed, sometimes humorous questions, while maintaining space for Khanna’s detailed, occasionally wonky answers. The episode is full of substantive critiques of institutional power, bipartisan failures, and the need for real action over empty rhetoric.

Summary prepared for those who want a comprehensive understanding of this high-impact political conversation without listening to the full broadcast.