Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
-
- Opinion
Nanny State Throws Kitchen Sink, Aiming for Stove
To some, our public schools are the “nurseries of democracy.” It would be just as accurate to describe the administrative state as the nursery of despotism. Not the cruel “blood and iron” despotism of silly-saluting dictators and their drab-is-fab troopers, but the semi-saccharine, overweening despotism that turns adult citizens into infants compliantly awaiting the next…GianCarlo Canaparo -
- Opinion
Combating Loneliness Epidemic: How Participation in Church Community Can Help
The following is excerpted from Ericka Andersen’s new book “Reason to Return: Why Women Need the Church & the Church Needs Women,” set for publication Jan. 17. The faith community has long been a source of support for people around the globe. As church attendance dwindles, more people find themselves isolated, unsupported, and mentally unwell….Ericka Andersen -
- Opinion
What Caused the Political Hysteria?
The Left has gone mad over former President Donald Trump—past, present, and future. The current Democratic Party and NeverTrump “conservatives” assumed that Trump was and remains so obviously toxic that they do not have to define exactly what his evil entails. Accordingly, they believe that any means necessary are justified to stop him. And furthermore,…Victor Davis Hanson -
- News
Hillsdale College Professor Appointed to Florida College Sets the Record Straight Amid Liberal Media Attacks
Left-leaning media outlets have villainized Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, painting his recent moves in the Sunshine State’s education system as a hostile takeover from the Right. So Matthew Spalding, a professor at Hillsdale College whom DeSantis recently appointed to the New College of Florida’s board of trustees, decided to set the record straight. “DeSantis…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Be It Resolved: Recommended Reading for 2023
Albeit a bit late, what with 2023 now well under way, we’ve compiled a list of some of The Heritage Foundation’s staff members’ favorite books (in no particular order) for you to consider for you and/or your family and friends to read in the new year. “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer” by Patrick Suskind…Peter Parisi -
- Opinion
Biden’s Bungled Border Promises
President Joe Biden’s trip Sunday to El Paso, Texas, was a sanitized, cheap photo-op designed to make him appear competent. What the three-hour visit actually showed was a man too small to meet a moment of national crisis. Perhaps that’s because the president is the one who caused it. However, Biden’s visit to the border…John Cooper -
- News
South Dakota Has Never Placed a Male in a Women’s Prison, Gov. Noem Says in Response to Criticism of Trans Policy
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, is considering changes to her Department of Corrections policy following criticism from conservatives, particularly National Review writer Nate Hochman. Earlier this month, Hochman claimed that "the Noem-appointed prisons director recently signed off on allowing inmates to transfer to prisons that match their 'gender identity' rather than biological sex—and…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
US Should Press Tokyo to Free Jailed Navy Lieutenant
U.S. and Japanese diplomatic and military leaders on Wednesday will meet for the annual “2+2” dialogue. Formally known as the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee, the meeting brings together defense and diplomatic ministers and secretaries of the two countries. This year’s discussion is intended to focus on modernizing the alliance to meet 21st-century challenges, but the talks…Brent Sadler -
- News
DeSantis Wants to ‘Further Advance Protections for Innocent Life’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who signed a 15-week abortion ban into law last year, wants more protections for Florida's unborn babies. "The upcoming 2023 Florida legislative session starts in March, and we look forward to working with the Florida Legislature to further advance protections for innocent life," press secretary Bryan Griffin shared with…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Progressive Journalists Can’t Read a 3-Page Bill. Calling It ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Is Easier
The Indianapolis Star has joined a long line of news outlets that find it easier to frame Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill than to read the three-page piece of legislation. The only daily newspaper in Indiana’s capital, also known as IndyStar, now claims that the Indiana Legislature is…Tony Kinnett -
- Opinion
Times Square Attack Reminds Us That Terrorism Still Looms
While we’d all like to think that the threat of Islamist terrorism is but just a bad memory, the machete attack on police officers in New York City’s Times Square on New Year’s Eve is a stark reminder that the possibility still looms. On that evening, NYPD police said, a machete-wielding man identified as Trevor…Peter Brookes -
- Opinion
Just Say ‘No’ to Spring Forward/Fall Back: Leaving Clocks Unchanged Is One of Best Decisions I’ve Ever Made
I took a stand on Nov. 6. While millions of Americans were dutifully resetting all their clocks and convincing themselves that they gained an hour, I did nothing. I left my clocks alone. I got up at the same time the next day as I did the day before. I went to bed at the…John Merline -
- Opinion
3 Things to Know About Biden’s Trip to Mexico
President Joe Biden traveled to Mexico on Sunday night and spent Monday meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. On Tuesday, Biden will attend the summit of North American leaders with Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Why do these meetings matter, and what will the leaders discuss? Mateo Haydar, a research assistant…Virginia Allen -
- News
7 Key Reforms in New House Rules
The new Republican-controlled House approved a sweeping rules package Monday night that could rein in the bureaucracy, control government spending, and put the top lawmaker’s leadership in jeopardy. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., gained the top post in the House early Saturday after 15 rounds of voting over four days, but made concessions to pull…Fred Lucas -
- News
Rep. Kevin McCarthy Elected Speaker of the House
Rep. Kevin McCarthy has been elected as speaker of the House after a historic fifteen rounds of voting over four days. McCarthy, who previously served as the House Minority Leader, won the speakership position with 216 votes. The Republican Party narrowly controls the House with 222 to the Democrats’ 212. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., nominated…Samantha Aschieris -
- News
What Happened in All 15 Rounds of Voting for the Speaker of the House
After a historic 14 rounds of voting over four days, there is still no speaker of the House. Here’s what you might have missed: Round 1 Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., nominated Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., nominated Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.; Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., nominated Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. The following…Samantha Aschieris -
- Opinion
Fact-Checking 4 Claims in Biden’s Jan. 6 Anniversary Speech
Marking the second anniversary of the Capitol riot that occurred Jan. 6, 2021, President Joe Biden struck a mostly unifying tone Friday by recognizing law enforcement officers with the Presidential Citizens Medal. The White House event, held in the East Room, was a significant departure from the president’s more partisan, red meat speech at the…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
‘60 Minutes’ Exhumes Environmental Doomsayer, 90, for New Round of Scaremongering
Earth is headed for a sixth extinction, warned biologist Paul Ehrlich on “60 Minutes” this past Sunday. And since Ehrlich has predicted about 20 extinctions over the past 60 years, he’s a leading expert on the issue. Couldn’t “60 Minutes” find a fresh-faced, yet-to-be-discredited neo-Malthusian to hyperventilate about the end of the world? Why didn’t…David Harsanyi -
- Opinion
Race for House Speaker Worth Celebrating
There’s a lot of alarmism going on right now about the race for speaker of the House. Many are calling it a crisis or a “three-ring circus.” What it is really is the first sign that the reckoning and subsequent healing needed among Republicans may finally be upon us. There is a huge split within…Neil Patel -
- Opinion
A Country We No Longer Recognize, a Coup We Never Knew
Did someone or something seize control of the United States? What happened to the U.S. border? Where did it go? Who erased it? Why and how did 5 million people enter our country illegally? Did Congress secretly repeal our immigration laws? Did President Joe Biden issue an executive order allowing foreign nationals to walk across…Victor Davis Hanson