Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna, who has not ruled out a 2028 Presidential run, laid out a sweeping national economic agenda on Sunday, calling on the Democratic Party to champion workers, reindustrialisation, and a broader distribution of artificial intelligence's gains beyond Silicon Valley. Speaking to NBC News, Khanna stopped short of formally declaring a White House bid but made clear the ideological ground he intends to contest.

The 'Economic Patriotism' Pitch

Khanna framed his central vision around what he termed 'economic patriotism' — a message aimed squarely at working-class communities and regions hollowed out by deindustrialisation. 'For me, I'm most focused on a national economic vision for this country,' he said.

Despite representing Silicon Valley — home to some of the world's largest technology companies and enormous concentrations of wealth — Khanna argued that the current economic model was leaving most Americans behind. 'It's working for a few billionaires in a few places. But it's not working for people I grew up with,' he said.

Democrats' Path Back, Per Khanna

Khanna argued that the Democratic Party had lost ground with working-class voters by failing to address industrial decline and economic anxiety. 'The Democrats' path back out of the wilderness is to have a clear national economic message,' he said. 'We shafted too many communities that were de-industrialised. We left out the working class.'

He contended that the party's internal divide was not simply a progressive-versus-moderate split. Democrats broadly agreed the economic system was failing ordinary Americans, he said, though they differed on remedies.

Policy Priorities: Medicare, AI, Data Centres

Khanna reiterated support for Medicare for All, a tax on billionaires, and an end to foreign wars. He called Medicare for All 'arguably the most important priority' and said it deserved a floor vote in the House of Representatives, predicting that 'the majority of the House Democrats are going to support it.'

On artificial intelligence, Khanna pressed a pointed question: 'How are we going to make sure AI is not just working for a few billionaires, but is working for communities that were de-industrialised?' He also proposed a 'data centre bill of rights' that would bar companies from building facilities in residential areas or on farmland without local community approval. 'We can't be putting data centres in residential communities. We can't be putting data centres in farmland,' he said, while acknowledging that the United States needs such infrastructure to remain competitive in AI.

The AOC Question and the Progressive Field

Asked whether he would be a stronger progressive standard-bearer in 2028 than Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Khanna declined to draw a direct contrast. He praised her as 'a phenomenal talent' and said the progressive movement would carry many voices. His response signalled a strategy of differentiation through policy substance rather than direct rivalry.

Background and What Comes Next

The son of Indian immigrants, Khanna represents a California Congressional district that encompasses parts of Silicon Valley. During the NBC interview he recalled celebrating Thanksgiving in an Indian-American household with 'Indian uncles and aunties,' a personal note that underscored the cultural identity he brings to a potential national campaign.

Khanna has steadily built a profile as a progressive voice on technology regulation, economic policy, and foreign affairs. His remarks come as several potential Democratic contenders begin positioning themselves ahead of the party's 2028 Presidential nomination contest — a race that is still taking shape more than three years out. Whether Khanna translates this ideological groundwork into a formal campaign announcement remains to be seen.