Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
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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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
news
15 Republicans Suddenly Flip Their Speaker Votes to McCarthy in Latest Rounds of Voting
Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is inching closer to the speaker of the House position after 15 Republicans changed their votes in his favor on Friday. They include: Scott Perry of Pennsylvania Ralph Norman of South Carolina Andrew Clyde of Georgia Dan Bishop of North Carolina Anna Paulina Luna of Florida Chip Roy of Texas Victoria… -
opinion
From Gender Gingerbread Persons to ‘Privilege Bingo,’ Feds Squander Millions on Cult of Diversity Training
Taxpayer dollars are being spent to conduct widespread, woke diversity training sessions across numerous prominent federal agencies. That’s what a Wall Street Journal report on a Freedom of Information Act request revealed Dec. 30. The information gathered comes from 2021. At this point, it’s difficult to be surprised by the findings, but it’s still notable…. -
opinion
Kevin McCarthy Drama Underscores Impotence of Republican Elite
After Republicans clinched their narrower-than-expected new House majority in November’s midterm elections, the only relevant questions for Congress-watchers seemed to pertain to what Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s, R-Calif., impending House speakership would look like. To what extent, if any, would he return House rules to “regular order,” whereby bills are drafted and marked up in decentralized… -
opinion
The Rise of the ‘Fauxcahontas’
In the eyes of the modern Left, suffering is a virtue. For them, the greatest thing a human being can achieve is to be a victim. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that opportunistic leftists, hoping to achieve clout in their social circles doling out cachet to the downtrodden, have begun to embellish or… -
opinion
Why What’s Happening on Capitol Hill Is ‘a Healthy Process’
The speaker of the House has yet to be chosen after three days and 11 rounds of voting. So, how long can this go on? “That’s a great question, and I think one that many in Washington, D.C., are contemplating—us, people on the Hill, staff members of members themselves. But the short answer is it… -
opinion
Louisiana’s Bold Action to Protect Minors From Porn
Here’s a good news story to start off 2023: In Louisiana, it’s now harder for minors to access porn sites. Thanks to a law passed in 2022 that went into effect Jan. 1, porn sites now are required to ask visitors who live in Louisiana to prove their age via a system, called LA Wallet, that…