At the Voters of Tomorrow Summit in Washington, D.C., Rep. Ro Khanna delivered a bold rebuke of the Democratic Party establishment, calling for a fundamental transformation of the party’s direction. Speaking to a crowd of young progressive activists, Khanna criticized the influence of big money in politics and emphasized the need to restore public trust in government institutions. “How can we trust government to do big things when government has been corrupted?” he asked, pushing for a new era free from corporate influence.
Khanna also addressed the controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files, framing their release as a necessary first step toward restoring transparency in American politics. “It’s a first step to say we will have a new era of transparency,” he said. His remarks suggested that accountability and openness are essential if the Democratic Party is to regain the trust of disillusioned voters.
In a direct challenge to Democratic leadership, Khanna called for a political rebirth. “The old guard needs to go,” he declared, criticizing the current establishment for failing to serve the interests of the working class. He envisioned a Democratic Party that prioritizes people over donors, human rights over political calculation, and bold reforms over incremental change.
As the Democratic Party faces demographic shifts, particularly with the growing political influence of Generation Z, Khanna’s speech underscored the internal divide between moderates and progressives. Many young voters have grown increasingly critical of centrist leadership and are demanding more transformative policies on issues like economic justice, immigration, and climate change.
The summit also featured speeches from prominent Democratic figures such as Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Their appearances reflected the party’s desire to maintain unity, but also highlighted the tension between the established leadership and a rising generation of progressive voices calling for deep, structural change.
