California Congressman Ro Khanna expressed regret on NBC’s “Meet the Press” about endorsing Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate candidate from Maine, following recent sexual assault allegations against him.
Platner, who was aiming to unseat long-standing Republican Senator Susan Collins, announced last week that he would be halting his campaign. This decision came after reports surfaced revealing accusations from his ex-girlfriend alleging sexual assault, which occurred back in 2021. Prior to this revelation, several prominent Democrats, including Khanna, had publicly supported Platner.
Khanna had even campaigned with Platner in June, amidst various other controversies surrounding him, including troubling social media posts and earlier allegations of misconduct.
During the interview, host Kristen Welker confronted Khanna, reminding him of the various issues that had emerged over the years, like Platner’s tattoos being likened to Nazi symbols. She questioned why Khanna continued to support him despite these controversies. Khanna replied, stating that his primary concern was always related to sexual assault; once those allegations became clear, he retracted his support immediately, acknowledging that his earlier decision was a mistake. He emphasized the need for earlier recognition of concerning behaviors and admitted that he wasn’t alone in supporting Platner initially—it was a broader issue that included other Democratic leaders like Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Khanna further explained that despite the mistakes, it’s crucial to recognize Platner’s political positions, such as his stances against foreign wars. Welker pressed him on whether he regretted supporting Platner, to which Khanna admitted, “Yes, I made a mistake on that call.” He emphasized the importance of humility in acknowledging wrong judgments.
Previously, Khanna had seemingly downplayed the severity of the allegations, noting Platner’s military background and his struggles with PTSD. He had remarked that an article by the New York Times suggested no physical harm was done, indicating that while there were certainly emotional issues, violence was not substantiated.
