Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
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- Opinion
This Passover, as Tensions Rise in Middle East, Jews Remember ‘God Saves Us’
During the first night of Passover, Jewish homes gather around a Seder meal and remember how God delivered the Jewish people from Egypt, and that God has always rescued His people, author and lecturer Rabbi Pinchas Taylor explains. “We say that we recognize that in every generation, there are nations that have come against us,…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
The Left’s Long War on Using ‘Illegal Aliens’
We’re now apparently in the era where using the term “birthing person” makes you a thoughtful speaker and saying “illegal alien” gets you suspended—at least if you’re one North Carolina high schooler. Last week, “in Davidson County, North Carolina, 16-year-old student Christian McGhee was suspended for three days for using the term ‘illegal alien’ in…Katrina Trinko -
- News
Scotland Presses ‘Pause’ on Puberty Blockers, Hormone Drugs for Children
Following publication of a damning report on the dangers of gender transition procedures for children, Scotland officially is halting the prescription of puberty blockers and hormone drugs to minors. Scotland’s sole gender clinic for minors, Glasgow-based Sandyford Sexual Health Service, announced Thursday that it no longer would refer children under 18 to pediatric endocrinology to be prescribed…S.A. McCarthy -
- Opinion
Dirty Deeds Done in the Dark: Leftist Lawyers Caught Engaging in Attorney Misconduct
A scathing report by three federal judges on the “misconduct” of plaintiff lawyers in a challenge to Alabama’s ban on gender-transition medicine for minors illustrates something we learned a long time ago: Many on the far Left, including radical lawyers employed by self-proclaimed civil rights organizations, believe the ends always justify the means and that rules of…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Medical Groups Mum on UK Pediatrician’s Verdict on Puberty Blockers for Kids
Major medical associations remain silent after the results of a four-year review commissioned by the National Health Service England undermined their recommendations for giving puberty blockers to children with gender dysphoria. The Cass Report, conducted by Dr. Hilary Cass, a pediatrician and former president of the U.K.’s Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, found only…Katelynn Richardson -
- Opinion
Record-Breaking Flood of Comments Condemns Biden’s Latest Student Loan Scheme
A national grassroots petition in protest of President Joe Biden’s latest student debt “forgiveness” stunt garnered over 5,000 online comments in a single night. Biden’s newest student loan cancellation plan would shift almost $150 billion in debt from those with outstanding college loans to American taxpayers—including those who already paid off their own college loans,…Tony Kinnett -
- News
Why Fatal Police Shootings Aren’t Declining: Some Uncomfortable Facts
When Dexter Reed died in a shootout with Chicago police on March 21, the incident was quickly grafted onto a narrative that began in 2014 after a policeman killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri—namely, that the U.S. faces an epidemic of violence by unbridled cops who do not believe black lives matter. “Killing of Dexter…James Varney -
- News
Third Republican Announces Support for Ousting Johnson as House Speaker
A third House Republican has announced he will co-sponsor a motion to vacate introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., that, if passed, would end Mike Johnson’s tenure as House speaker after fewer than six months. If all 213 House Democrats vote in support of the motion to remove Johnson, R-La., as speaker, only three…Katrina Trinko -
- News
Here Are the 55 Republicans Who Voted Against Speaker Johnson’s Foreign Aid Scheme
House Speaker Mike Johnson lost more than 25% of his Republican conference Friday on a procedural vote to advance four foreign aid bills. The measure passed, 316-94, thanks to the support of Democrats, who typically oppose the majority party’s rules. In this case, however, Johnson, R-La., won the backing of 165 Democrats compared to 151…Robert B. Bluey -
- News
Montana Hit With Lawsuit Over Sex-Change Policy for Birth Certificates, Driver’s Licenses
Two transgender people sued Montana on Thursday, challenging a state policy that bars residents from changing the sex designations on their birth certificates unless they meet certain criteria. Jessica Kalarchik and an individual identified only as “Jane Doe” are listed as plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging a state policy that, they argue, makes it “impossible” for transgender…Jason Hopkins -
- Opinion
Differences Among States Are a Plus, Not a Bug, in Our System
If those in federal office are willing to pay attention, the states are displaying the best—and the worst—of our republican form of government. Every four years, American citizens get the opportunity to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, endorse a policy agenda for the nation, and hold the occupant of…Lathan Watts -
- News
Speaker Johnson’s Shrewd Plan to Pass Biden’s Foreign Aid Package, Explained
A proposed House rule faces a crucial vote Friday in the latest showdown between Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican lawmakers. The rule would combine four unrelated foreign aid bills into a single legislative package—an approach favored by President Joe Biden but long resisted by conservatives. Johnson, R-La., has pledged that lawmakers will get to vote…Robert B. Bluey -
- Opinion
Want a Faith-Filled Nation Back? Build the Family
There’s a direct link between being raised in a family with a mom and dad present and a commitment to faith, according to the president and founder of Communio, a nonprofit that equips churches to work for the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family. “Many pastors don’t know that 80% of everybody sitting…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
An American Foreign Policy That Benefits America
In his latest book, “The Last Best Hope,” political risk analyst John Hulsman offers a succinct, understandable guide to uniting the disparate wings of conservatism behind a realist foreign policy. While pitched at the interested layman rather than foreign policy nerds, Hulsman’s vignettes might even teach the most savvy readers a new thing or two….Simon Hankinson -
- News
House Democrats Vow to Codify ‘Rights’ to Trans Surgeries, Hormones, Puberty Blockers
House Democrats released an agenda Thursday that includes a vow to codify a right to so-called gender-affirming care—transgender surgeries, hormones, and puberty blockers. The promise came within the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ agenda, which House Democrats first shared with NBC News. That agenda includes a slew of left-wing interests, including promises of a higher minimum wage…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Examining the High Costs and Questionable Gains of ‘Green’ Policies as Earth Day Approaches
As we approach Earth Day, it is time to evaluate how green policies have performed. One such policy is the New Jersey bag ban, which was ostensibly designed to tackle plastic pollution, requiring stores over 2,500 square feet in size to replace disposable plastic bags with reusable ones. The ban bag is an example of…Miles Pollard -
- Opinion
The Kill Switch
Soon the government might shut down your car. President Joe Biden’s new “bipartisan infrastructure law” gives bureaucrats that power. You probably didn’t hear about that because when media covered it, few mentioned the requirement that by 2026, every American car must “monitor” the driver, determine if he is impaired, and, if so, “limit vehicle operation.”…John Stossel -
- News
California’s High-Speed Rail Project Far From Finished, but It Is Putting Money in Unions’ Coffers
Democratic officials are throwing billions at California high-speed rail projects that have yet to be built, funding thousands of jobs specifically for union members. Despite funding initially being approved by a referendum in 2008, the California High-Speed Rail project currently has less than a quarter of its expected length under construction and was initially supposed…Will Kessler -
- Opinion
Federal Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Allowing Boys in Girls Sports
What does it take for a federal court to reach the outcome it wants—instead of the outcome that the law demands? Apparently, just some creative judicial gymnastics. That’s what happened Tuesday with a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit when it overturned a lower court decision and struck…Sarah Parshall Perry -
- News
Republicans Slam Democrats for Dismissing Mayorkas Impeachment Case
The Senate voted along party lines Wednesday afternoon to dismiss the House’s impeachment case against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Within a few hours, congressional Republicans’ yearlong effort to investigate and hold President Joe Biden’s appointee accountable for the crisis of illegal immigration at the southern border ended. “Democrats concluded that Joe Biden and Alejandro…Virginia Allen