Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) just dropped a bombshell on CNN’s “The Source,” declaring that Congress should slam the brakes on ICE funding—no new dollars, and repeal the $75 billion already earmarked over the next four years. But here’s the twist that should have every 2A advocate’s radar pinging: Khanna explicitly tied this to the federal government’s violation of the Second Amendment. In his view, ICE agents are out there confiscating firearms from law-abiding citizens without due process, turning routine immigration enforcement into a backdoor gun grab. It’s a rare moment of bipartisan overlap where even a progressive Silicon Valley Democrat is calling out federal overreach on our gun rights.
This isn’t just rhetoric; it’s a masterclass in unintended alliances for the 2A community. Khanna’s stance shines a spotlight on how ICE’s 287(g) programs and warrantless seizures have been weaponized against gun owners, often targeting legal residents or citizens caught in immigration dragnets. Remember the ATF’s Operation Fast and Furious fallout or the Obama-era executive actions that blurred lines between immigration and firearms enforcement? Khanna’s echoing those concerns, arguing that defunding ICE would neuter these unconstitutional tactics. For pro-2A warriors, it’s vindication: even left-leaning voices are admitting the feds are trampling the right to keep and bear arms under the guise of border security.
The implications are electric. If Khanna’s push gains traction amid budget battles, it could fracture the Democrat coalition on gun control, forcing squeamish moderates to pick sides between sanctuary policies and Second Amendment sanctity. 2A advocates should amplify this—reach across the aisle, highlight shared ground on federal restraint, and watch as the narrative shifts from gun lobby bad to government overreach unites us. In a polarized era, Khanna’s slip-up is our opportunity to build coalitions that safeguard the Constitution, one defunded agency at a time. Stay vigilant; the fight for liberty just got a surprising ally.
