Rep. Ro Khanna Demands We Begin 'Rejecting This Idea of Heritage Americans'
California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, an American citizen of Indian heritage, revealed during a post-election conference Friday that he doesn’t care for the popular term “heritage Americans.”
It’s a term that refers to those Americans whose ancestors played a role in building America’s foundation by, for example, coming on the Mayflower or later fighting in the American Revolution.
But Khanna, an American citizen whose family immigrated to the United States less than 10 years before he was born on Sept. 13, 1976, made it clear during the “What’s Next” conference in Denver that he doesn’t approve of that concept.
He voiced his opinion while speaking specifically about what it will take for the Democratic Party to “cobble together a fleeting big tent.”
“It means rejecting this idea of heritage Americans and not being afraid of saying clearly and unequivocally, we are proud of immigrants in this country,” he said before moving on to defending illegal immigration.
“We stand for citizenship for those who are undocumented and who live by our rules,” he added. “And yes, we will abolish ICE.”
Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna: “Reject this idea of Heritage Americans! We are proud of immigrants in this country!” https://t.co/iTSce8qzfu
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) November 13, 2026
His remarks rightly prompted massive pushback from those Americans whose roots extend centuries into the past, not just a couple of years.
Hillsdale College-educated political scientist and writer Ben R. Crenshaw argued that America’s original immigrants would have never uttered something so foul.
“No Ellis Islander would have said such preposterous things,” he opined in a social media post.
“These new ‘immigrants’ are invaders, colonizers, and looters,” he added, directly targeting Khanna. “And they’re going to gaslight you into thinking America is not your heritage but theirs — until they consolidate enough power to rule you as petty tyrants.”
Signing you in…
Please keep this page open. The results will appear here.
Check your email to count your vote
We sent a confirmation link to .
Click Confirm Your Vote in that email to count your vote and unlock the results.
Your vote has not been counted yet. If the email hasn't arrived, check your spam or junk folder.
Cinematographer James Rogers wondered whether Khanna feels the same way about Native Americans, who are also a form of “heritage Americans.”
“So Heritage Native Americans aren’t really a thing then, and we can go take over all their reservations, right?” he asked Khanna in a social media post.
Meanwhile, Dallas-based hedge fund manager and writer Ronald Dodson factored assimilation into the equation by suggesting that, despite Khanna’s citizenship, he hasn’t fully blended into American culture.
“‘Heritage Americans’ are the standard by which you are to assimilate,” he wrote on social media. “That assimilation is what you clearly reject.”
“Heritage Americans” are the standard by which you are to assimilate.
That assimilation is what you clearly reject.
— Ronald Dodson (@RonDodson) November 13, 2026
Dodson was spot-on.
Khanna is an American courtesy of his birth in the U.S.
But he’s obviously not an assimilated American, as made evident by his wildly anti-American views pertaining not only to heritage Americans but also to immigration writ large.
Khanna is an “American” who has spent years championing a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens, arguing against the Laken Riley Act, propping up sanctuary cities, and opposing efforts to end birthright citizenship.
This guy doesn’t care about the interests of Americans. It’s clear as day that he prioritizes the interests of foreigners first and foremost. And the reason why is because in his heart, Khanna is himself a foreigner to this country.
It doesn’t matter that the Democratic congressman has “paperwork” saying he’s a citizen. His actions and rhetoric speak for themselves.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
