Bay Area Rep. Ro Khanna used his latest turn on Fox News Sunday to urge Democrats to move past study commissions and into concrete Supreme Court action, calling for 18-year term limits and expanding the high court from nine to 13 justices. In the same appearance, he defended his endorsement of Maine Senate nominee Graham Platner, despite allegations that have divided national Democrats. The high-profile remarks come as Khanna returns to the ballot in his Silicon Valley district this year.
Khanna Pushes Court Shake Up on National TV
On "Fox News Sunday," Khanna argued the current Supreme Court has shown an ugly recidivism and said Democrats should stop leaning on new commissions and start pursuing actual reforms, according to Fox News. The congressman repeated his support for the Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act, an 18-year term limit plan he co-sponsored, and said his office has already laid the proposal out in detail. Read the bill summary from Khanna's office.
Khanna Stands By Platner Endorsement
Khanna also addressed his backing of Graham Platner, telling CBS News that Platner's past behavior was misogynistic, shameful, and wrong, but added that he would not support the candidate if there were evidence of sexual assault or violence. Reporting from the AP News has documented explicit messages and other allegations that have left Democrats split over whether to stand by the nominee. Khanna said many Maine voters appear more focused on Platner's policy platform and, for some, on balancing accountability with the possibility of redemption.
Back Home in the Bay Area
Khanna's growing national profile gives him space to push high-visibility fights in Washington while still pointing to local wins. As Hoodline recently noted, he steamrolls primary field in his own backyard, and earlier reporting highlighted how he helped direct federal dollars to repair a struggling San Jose veterans shelter. Those kinds of home district projects help explain how Khanna can wade into charged national debates without losing his Silicon Valley base.
Critics See a High-Risk Play
Republicans quickly seized on Khanna's talk of expanding the Supreme Court as proof that Democrats would try to pack the bench if given enough power, a message amplified by outlets such as the Washington Examiner. Several Democratic leaders, meanwhile, have avoided full-throated defenses of Platner and have been cautious about embracing sweeping court changes, leaving Khanna's comments to define much of the on-air rhetoric. The result is an issue that energizes progressive activists who want aggressive reform at the same time it fires up opponents who warn of institutional overreach.
What to Watch Next
Khanna's twin pitches expanded Supreme Court membership and statutory term limits would face long odds both politically and in the courts, but they give reformers and critics alike a clear set of proposals to organize around. Watch whether more House Democrats attach their names to specific court reform bills and how Maine's Senate race unfolds as campaign season heats up, especially with Platner's controversies in the spotlight. Khanna's office has posted background and bill text for the term limits plan online, and both parties are likely to use his comments as shorthand in the 2026 fight over the future of the courts and over basic questions of candidate fitness.
