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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- Opinion
Why Democratic Socialists Can’t Legitimately Claim Sweden, Denmark as Success Stories
Sen. Bernie Sanders and congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are popularizing the philosophy of democratic socialism, especially among younger age groups. Meanwhile, the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) are gaining influence on college and high school campuses, claiming to have organizing activities planned at more than 250 campuses across the nation. The YDSA website describes…Julia Howe -
- News
Christian Student Group Sues University for Rejecting It as Official Club
After expelling several religion-based student groups from campus for “discrimination,” the University of Iowa is being sued for religious discrimination. The University of Iowa chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA was one of the student clubs kicked off campus for not conforming to a university rule that clubs must eliminate a faith-based precondition to serve in…Jeremiah Poff -
- News
Republican Balderson Declares Victory in Close Ohio Special Congressional Election
Republican state Sen. Troy Balderson appeared to have a slight edge in the Ohio special House election Tuesday, marking what could be a disappointment for Democrats, but a potential warning sign for the GOP. With 100 percent of precincts in, Balderson, 56, led Democrat Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Connor, 31, by 101,574 votes to 99,820…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
In Past Years, Feinstein, Schumer Said Nominee’s Judicial Record Most Important
When President Donald Trump last month announced his nomination of federal Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that the “American people deserve to know what kind of a justice” Kavanaugh would be. He’s right. How do you measure something like the “kind of a justice” a nominee…Thomas Jipping -
- News
Ukraine’s Soviet-Era Space Program Boosts a US Commercial Spaceflight Company’s Chances for Liftoff
DNIPRO, Ukraine—From a 15th-floor balcony overlooking this city's Yuri Gagarin Park, American John Isella looks east beyond the skyline toward the Dnieper River. A forested expanse stretches to the horizon in the direction of the war, about four hours away by car if you wanted to drive there. “It’s hard to believe the war is…Nolan Peterson -
- News
Trump Officials Warn of Russian Meddling in This Fall’s Elections
Top Trump administration officials pledged Thursday to go all-out in fighting Russian interference in the 2018 midterm elections, announcing efforts across the government. “Our democracy is in the crosshairs,” Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said during the White House press briefing. Nielsen said all 50 states are working with the Department of Homeland Security to…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Why People Keep Falling for Socialism, Despite the Evidence
Poverty is no mystery, and it’s easily avoidable. The poverty line that the Census Bureau used in 2016 for a single person was an income of $12,486 that year. For a two-person household, it was $16,072, and for a four-person household, it was $24,755. To beat those poverty thresholds is fairly simple. Here’s the road…Walter E. Williams -
- Opinion
7 Steps Next Director Can Take to Make the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Less Awful
The Trump administration has nominated Kathy Kraninger to be the next director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Roll Call reports that her confirmation hearing was “as politically contentious as it’s gotten in the last year and a half” on the otherwise “senatorial Senate Banking Committee.” Ignore the political drama. The real story is…Norbert Michel -
- Opinion
Sorry If You’re Offended, but Socialism Leads to Misery and Destitution
On the same day that Venezuela’s “democratically” elected socialist president, Nicolas Maduro, whose once-wealthy nation now has citizens foraging for food, announced he was lopping five zeros off the country’s currency to create a “stable financial and monetary system,” Meghan McCain of “The View” was the target of internet-wide condemnation for having stated some obvious…David Harsanyi -
- Opinion
Inflation to Hit 1 Million Percent in Collapsing, Socialist Venezuela
Venezuela’s inflation may hit 1 million percent by the end of the year, the International Monetary Fund announced on Monday. This incredible hyperinflation is reminiscent of Weimar Germany during the years immediately after World War I, in which wheelbarrows full of cash were required to buy bare essential items, like a loaf of bread. That…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
Problematic Women: Meghan McCain Speaks Out on Socialism
In this week’s edition of “Problematic Women,” we discuss the backlash Meghan McCain received after tearing apart socialism and warning against it on ABC’s “The View.” We also talk about first lady Melania Trump’s office blasting media reports that the president got angry with her for watching CNN, and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s telling students…Bre Payton -
- Opinion
Meet a Government Entity That’s in Worse Shape Than Social Security
Social Security is on track to run out of money by 2034, at which point the program will be able to pay only about 79 percent of its scheduled benefits. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation—a government entity that insures private pension plans—will run out of funds almost a decade earlier, in 2025, and will be…Rachel Greszler -
- Opinion
Podcast: More Proof Colleges Have Become Insane
As taxpayers continue to back student loans, The Heritage Foundation’s Mary Clare Amselem joins us to talk about how a college professor co-wrote a research paper with her dead cat—and what can be done on the higher ed front. Plus: Republicans accuse Twitter of treating them differently than Democrats. >>> The Daily Signal podcast is…Katrina Trinko -
- News
Virginia Government Officials Not Happy With First School District to Arm Teachers
A school district voted unanimously to become the first Virginia county to permit armed teachers, but Virginia government officials are not pleased. The Lee County School Board decided earlier in July to arm teachers in its 11-school, 3,200-student school district, but faces backlash from Virginia’s Department of Education and attorney general, according to The Washington Post Wednesday….Rob Shimshock -
- Opinion
Special-Interest Bill Could Put Workers’ Pensions at Risk
Reducing the minimum monthly payment on someone’s massive credit card debt and issuing them an additional credit card won’t solve that person’s financial problems. It will only make them worse, by allowing the individual to accumulate more debt. Yet, that’s effectively what a special-interest bill scheduled for markup by Congress on July 18 would do…Rachel Greszler -
- News
University of Kansas Flies Defaced Flag in the Name of Art
The University of Kansas flew a defaced American flag in the name of art, according to students on Tuesday. Ian Ballinger, a student at the university, found the flag outside Spooner Hall on Tuesday. After talking to school administrators, he discovered the flag was first installed on July 4. “Frankly, I think it is an…Neetu Chandak -
- News
Black Leaders Call for More Civility, Official Rebuke of Maxine Waters
Responding to inflammatory remarks by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., other African-American leaders gathered Thursday morning on Capitol Hill to appeal for civility and for Congress to censure Waters. Many saw Waters’ remarks as calling on supporters to continue confronting and harassing members of President Donald Trump’s administration, heightening a lack of civility in American public…Ginny Montalbano -
- News
Associates Vouch for Integrity of Ohio Lawmaker Amid Accusations He Ignored Sexual Abuse of Student Athletes as College Coach
Former associates are coming to the defense of Congressman Jim Jordan amid accusations that the Ohio Republican ignored sexual-abuse scandals at Ohio State University while serving there as an assistant wrestling coach more than two decades ago. “From the first day I met Jim Jordan as a student athlete, he has been the most honorable…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Left-Wing Politicians Wage War on Plastic
After a ban on non-biodegradable utensils went into effect over the weekend in Seattle, local officials are advising food service businesses to “[s]top using plastic straws and plastic utensils.” An ordinance pending before the New York City Council would make that city’s food service businesses the next front line in liberal politicians’ war on plastic…Taylor Chaffetz -
- News
Protesters March to Portland City Hall, Demand City Disassociate From ICE
Abolish ICE protesters in Portland marched to City Hall, demanding Portland City Council disassociate from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The protest came after making several demands to Mayor Ted Wheeler, one of which was not using the “Portland Police to assist with any eviction of the ICE camp.” The protesters, however, feared Wheeler would break…Neetu Chandak