Ro Khanna talks Elon Musk's Twitter, Kevin McCarthy, more

Those who followed Friday's release of the "Twitter Files" — a series of emails concerning Twitter's decision to suppress a New York Post story on Hunter Biden just prior to the 2020 presidential election — were treated to a surprise guest appearance from Bay Area Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat who represents Silicon Valley.

Journalist Matt Taibbi shared screenshots of the emails in a drawn-out Twitter thread, and one such email was sent by Khanna to former Twitter executive Vijaya Gadde. In that email, Khanna said Twitter's decision violated freedom of speech principles, and that Twitter made the Biden story a "bigger deal than it would have been" otherwise.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Monday, Khanna reiterated these concerns, arguing, "Although Twitter is a private actor not legally bound by the First Amendment ... Twitter has a responsibility to the public to allow the free exchange of ideas and open debate."

In a phone call with SFGATE, Khanna said he did not know in advance he'd be part of the Twitter thread, and was taken by surprise when he found out about it during a speaking event. He also discussed Elon Musk's handling of Twitter generally, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's tortuous path to becoming House speaker, and a recent report he might be a candidate to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

SFGATE: So what were you doing that Friday evening when the email dropped? Talk me through how you realized you were in the middle of the saga.

Khanna: I was speaking on new economic patriotism at the Harkin Institute in Des Moines. Suddenly, my phone started blowing up with hundreds of messages. I was like, "What's going on?" then looked at my text messages. Someone said, "Your email is public on Twitter." I'm grateful the email was one I'm proud of; we all have emails we regret, but that was one I stand by.

SFGATE: How did your Wall Street Journal op-ed on the topic come together?

Khanna: They reached out and wanted to know if I'd be interested, and I said sure.

SFGATE: And, as you articulated in both the email and the op-ed, you strongly believe Twitter made a mistake in its handling of the Hunter Biden story.

Khanna: It's about the censoring of the New York Post, it's not about Hunter Biden. It's about taking down a newspaper publication and censoring a press secretary and reporters who wanted to share the article. People are looking at this through too narrow a lens. It's not about Hunter Biden. I'm a strong supporter of the president, but this is about making sure people have the right to express views critical of our own. It's about standing up for the principle of the free exchange of ideas.

SFGATE: Generally speaking, how do you believe Musk is doing running Twitter?

Khanna: It's too early to say. The effort to get rid of bots is a good one, a commitment to principle of the free exchange ideas is also good. It's good to see he said he doesn't want to amplify hate, and we'll need to wait to see how moderation rules are created going forward.

SFGATE: You consider yourself a champion for workers. Do you have any concerns about his demands that workers commit to a new "hardcore" culture, or the investigation into whether space at Twitter's headquarters is being used as bedrooms for employees?

Khanna: I absolutely hope Twitter meets labor standards and [Musk] knows where I stand on this issue. I've been a supporter of UAW organizing at Tesla. I would love for him to work with labor, and for there to be a high labor standard at Twitter.

SFGATE: Let's pivot and talk about Congress. Andy Biggs is going to challenge Kevin McCarthy on the House floor on Jan. 3. What do you think is going to happen there? If McCarthy can't get 218 on the first ballot, do you think there's a real chance Democrats work with moderate Republicans on a compromise candidate like Fred Upton?

Khanna: Anything is possible and I'm certainly open to some type of unity candidate who is willing to share subpoena power and focus on legislation, not investigations.

SFGATE: Have you been part of any conversations with Republicans on finding that unity candidate?

Khanna: I've had informal conversations with several Republicans, but I'm sure many other people have as well.

SFGATE: Your name came up in a Politico report on the "shadow race" for Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat should she retire in 2024. If you are considering a run for that seat, when might you make a final decision on that?

Khanna: I've been encouraged by people to look at it, but I'm very happy in my current role. If that seat were to open up, I would look at it. I want to make sure there's a strong progressive candidate in that race, and I'd make that decision sometime next year.