Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) used his Friday appearance on MSNBC’s The Briefing to argue that while health care is a major sticking point in the looming government shutdown, the larger problem is what he called the Trump administration’s “unconstitutional” conduct.
Host Jen Psaki pressed Khanna on what Americans should expect if the government shuts down September 30, with Republicans and Democrats still locked in a standoff over health care subsidies. Khanna acknowledged that the health care dispute is central, warning that premiums on the exchanges could spike:
“The premiums for people are going to go up 80 to 90% if you are on health care on the exchange. And one of the issues is that they shouldn’t be taking away the health care.”
But Khanna then broadened his critique, arguing that Democrats oppose more than just subsidy cuts:
“There’s a much bigger issue as well, Jen. And that is, this is an administration that is prosecuting its enemies. It’s an administration that is deporting people without due process. It’s an administration that is threatening people’s free speech if they criticize the views of Charlie Kirk. It’s an administration that is putting blanket tariffs that are raising people’s prices.”
Khanna accused President Donald Trump of failing to meet his promise to lower costs:
“So much for Donald Trump’s promise, I’m going to reduce and lower your prices on day one. All he’s done is raise prices.”
The California Democrat framed the standoff as a matter of principle, saying his party will not help advance what he views as unconstitutional governance:
“The Democrats are just saying, we’re not going to be complicit. We’re not going to be complicit with an unconstitutional government that is raising your prices, that is making your health care less affordable.”
With just days until the deadline, both parties remain far apart on a funding deal. Khanna’s remarks highlight Democrats’ broader political message: that the shutdown fight is not only about health care subsidies, but also about resisting Trump’s broader governing agenda.
Khanna also linked the shutdown crisis to what he sees as a broader erosion of democratic norms. He argued that when a government uses the justice system against political opponents, it undermines public trust and creates a chilling effect on dissent. “If critics fear retaliation simply for speaking out, then we stop being a free society,” Khanna said, warning that the stakes extend beyond budget negotiations.
The congressman stressed that Democrats are not merely posturing but drawing a line in the sand against practices they view as unconstitutional. “We’re not refusing to negotiate because we don’t care about governance,” he explained. “We’re refusing because what this administration is doing goes against the very principles of democracy and fairness that Americans expect.”
