Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) called for a bipartisan national commission to address political violence following a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner [1].
The proposal comes as U.S. leaders face increasing security threats and a volatile political climate. A commission would aim to confront the rising tide of violence that threatens the stability of democratic institutions [1].
The shooting occurred April 26, 2026, in Washington, D.C. [3]. The incident created a security breach that threatened political leaders attending the annual event [2]. While some reports indicate the suspect's manifesto suggests an anti-Trump motive, other accounts describe the event as a broader act of political violence [3].
Khanna discussed the proposal during an interview April 27, 2026 [3]. He said that the current environment of hostility is unsustainable for a functioning government.
"Political violence strikes at the very heart of democracy," Khanna said. "We cannot have a democracy if people are saying we're going to kill you if we disagree with your viewpoint. And that has to be condemned in the most strong, unequivocal terms" [3].
Beyond the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Khanna also addressed the need for transparency regarding the release of the Epstein files [4]. He said that there is legislative momentum to push for the disclosure of these documents to the public [4].
Regarding the political viability of his proposals, Khanna expressed confidence in the ability to move forward with legislative action. "We have the votes," Khanna said [2].
“Political violence strikes at the very heart of democracy.”
The call for a bipartisan commission reflects a growing concern among lawmakers that political rhetoric is translating into physical threats against public officials. By linking this effort to the release of the Epstein files, Khanna is positioning transparency and the rule of law as the primary antidotes to civil instability.
