U.S. Intelligence Agency News
The Daily Signal provides coverage of intelligence operations, surveillance controversies, and the role of U.S. agencies in national security and civil liberties.
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- News
Sen. Lindsey Graham Poised to Head Senate Judiciary Committee
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is poised to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee following the announcement on Friday that Chairman Chuck Grassley will be heading the Senate Committee on Finance instead. “I very much appreciate Senator Grassley’s leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Graham said in a statement. “He chaired the committee with a steady hand,…Molly Prince -
- Opinion
A New Way of Tracking Trump’s Judicial Nominees
Addressing a convention of labor commissioners in 1889, prominent government statistician Carroll D. Wright reminded his audience that “figures will not lie,” but warned that “liars will figure.” He urged them to “prevent the liar from figuring”—that is, from “perverting the truth, in the interest of some theory he is trying to establish.” To that…Thomas Jipping -
- News
Trump Calls Out Embattled County Election Official in Florida Vote-Count Mess
President Donald Trump is scrutinizing the Florida election-recount process, and he isn’t the only one—largely because of Broward County. On election night, it appeared likely that Rick Scott, the outgoing Florida Republican governor, had defeated Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson for his seat. It appeared even more likely that Republican ex-Rep. Ron DeSantis defeated Democrat Andrew…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Podcast: Sebastian Gorka on the Dangers of Socialism
On today’s show we feature an interview with Sebastian Gorka, former deputy assistant to President Donald Trump and author of the new book “Why We Fight: Defeating America’s Enemies—With No Apologies.” Gorka breaks down the most serious threats to American security and how Trump is combatting them. We also discuss how Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings…Rob Bluey -
- Opinion
Some State Officials Want to Adopt Bernie-Style Health Care. Here’s What It Would Cost.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has not let up in his push for single-payer health care—and some state legislators are matching his proposal. Earlier this year, Sanders introduced a big and comprehensive “Medicare for All” proposal that would create a government-controlled health care system at the national level. The plan has gained momentum among Senate Democrats,…Nina Owcharenko Schaefer -
- Opinion
China’s ‘Social Credit’ Monitoring: Big Brother’s Frightening New Tool for Repression
For people living in China, government repression is a fact of life. The country earned a rating of “mostly unfree” in the latest Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom and is judged politically “not free” by Freedom House. Unfortunately, the situation may soon become worse. The Chinese government has unveiled a new program that it…Patrick Farrell -
- Opinion
Socialism Was Once a Bad Word. So What Happened? Eric Bolling Explains.
CRTV host and author Eric Bolling recently spoke to The Daily Signal about socialism, the Trump economy, media bias, and the demise of "Never Trump" Republicans. This is a lightly edited transcript of that interview. You can listen to audio of the interview on our podcast. Ginny Montalbano: Eric Bolling, thanks for joining The Daily Signal. You're a…Rob Bluey -
- News
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Calls Congress the ‘Culprit’ in Polarizing Judicial Confirmation Process
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg points the finger at an increasingly partisan Congress for polarizing the judicial confirmation process. Speaking at the federal courthouse in Washington on Wednesday, Ginsburg said a lack of collegiality and bipartisanship among lawmakers was to blame for polarizing the confirmation process for federal judges, The Washington Post reported. Ginsburg…Tristan Justice -
- Opinion
The Empty Promises of Socialism
What are the costs of adopting socialism? It’s a good question, and one not asked frequently enough. But a new report by the Council of Economic Advisors at the White House does ask the question. The answer? Socialism destroys lives and societies. The historical record is clear: Everywhere it has been tried, socialism has done…Patrick Tyrrell -
- Opinion
Giving Away Money Won’t End Poverty, but It Will Destroy Something Special About America
One of the left’s hot new policy ideas is simply to give money to everyone to end poverty. And of course, California is leading the charge. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., proposed a national plan last week that would give families making under $100,000 a tax credit of $500 per month, which adds up to $6,000…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Government Economists Offer Window Into What a Socialist US Economy Would Look Like
If the United States were to adopt the socialist policies of Venezuela, the move would slash the economy by 40 percent—or $24,000 per year for the average American, according to a report by the president’s Council of Economic Advisers. “Coincident with the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s birth, socialism is making a comeback in American…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Why Democratic Senators Won’t Succeed in Attempt to Block Judicial Nominee
Even with just two months left in this Congress, the Senate Judiciary Committee is still holding hearings for judicial nominations. A hearing Wednesday will include Eric Miller, nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, even though his home-state senators, Democrats Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell of Washington, oppose him. Murray and…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
How the Judicial Confirmation Process Got So Bad
The 50-48 Senate vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court was the closest confirmation since 1881, when Justice Stanley Matthews was approved by a vote of 24-23. President Donald Trump may well get another Supreme Court pick before he leaves office and, in the meantime, he can certainly expect aggressive opposition to…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
Why Do Millennials Like Socialism? Betsy DeVos Cites Lack of Civics Education
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos spoke to The Daily Signal this week about her efforts to restore local control of education, the Trump administration’s priorities for higher education, and the rising support of socialism among young people. An edited transcript of the interview is below. Full audio of the interview is available on The Daily Signal…Rob Bluey -
- Opinion
A Question for Harvard: Who Actually Wins From Racial Preferences?
Sarah, a young African-American woman I’ve known for more than a decade, will apply soon to college. She’s gifted, motivated, and wise beyond her years. Sarah (not her real name) thrived in a neighborhood beset by sexual predators, addiction, and crime. I hope admissions officers will take into account the social and economic hardships she…Emilie Kao -
- News
Family Physicians Association Breaks Ranks, No Longer Opposes Assisted Suicide
The American Academy of Family Physicians announced Tuesday that it no longer opposes physician-assisted suicide, instead taking a neutral perspective on the matter. AAFP’s adoption of “engaged neutrality” regarding physician-assisted suicide signals a marked splinter from the American Medical Association. AAFP President Michael Munger announced the change. The committee also recommended the procedure be referred to as "medical aid in…Grace Carr -
- Opinion
E15’s Not the Problem. Special Treatment for Ethanol Is.
The Trump administration’s intention to authorize year-round sale of gasoline blended with a 15 percent ethanol mixture, announced Monday, perpetuates bad energy policy, both economically and environmentally. Having more options in what you buy is usually a good thing. However, E15, as it’s called, wouldn’t exist without mandates, subsidies, and preferential treatment from the federal…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
On a Slippery Slope, Canadian Hospital Unveils Physician-Assisted Suicide Plan for ‘Sick Kids’
Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children recently unveiled a plan for how to terminate the lives of terminally ill kids—with or without parental consent. This next step for physician-assisted suicide in Canada is shocking, yet unsurprising, given international trends. European countries that have legalized physician-assisted suicide frequently expand the practice from the elderly or terminally ill…Monica Burke -
- Opinion
Filipino Leader Is Pushing a Socialist Constitution. It Makes a Mockery of Liberty.
As U.S. politics heats up this fall, across the Pacific Ocean a political battle is unfolding in the Philippines that should interest citizens here in the United States. In 2016, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte began speaking of federalism as a means to calm unrest in the island nation. In January of this year, he appointed…Taylor Fischer -
- News
Poll: Almost a Third of Millennials Identify as Socialists
Thirty-one percent of millennials identify as a democratic socialist or socialist, according to a study by Maru/Blue and BuzzFeed News released Thursday. Participants were first asked what description “best reflects your current political leanings,” before being given options ranging from “Strong Democrat,” to “Strong Republican” or “Independent.” A total of 22 percent identified as “Strong Democrat,” versus 10…Joe Simonson