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
Activist Judges Are Pulling a Reverse Marbury v Madison
Are we to be a nation ruled by one man? I’m not talking about President Donald Trump, I’m talking about district court judges who increasingly abuse their position to thwart the president’s actions on a nationwide level. The Trump administration has racked up victory after victory as Democrats fail to mount an effective counter. Right…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Gabbard Rejects Claims of Classified Info Leak on Signal Chat
Three of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet members defended the administration’s conduct at a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday, shortly after a follow-up report from The Atlantic showing messages related to a military attack on Houthis in Yemen that were inadvertently sent to its editor-in-chief. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John…George Caldwell -
- News
Chris LaCivita Sues Daily Beast for Defamation
Chris LaCivita, senior adviser for President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, sued The Daily Beast Monday, alleging defamation for an article claiming that he personally profited from the campaign. "Defendant's false statements created the false impression that Mr. LaCivita was charging exorbitant rates for his services and personally enriching himself at the expense of the campaign, thereby…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Democrats’ Circular Firing Squad: Infighting and Purity Tests Are Handing Republicans 2026
In November 2008, during the peak of the Great Recession, incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel uttered one of the most politically savvy statements of the 21st century: “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” While Emanuel was specifically referring to the opportunity for congressional Democrats to pass sweeping social…Cooper Rummell -
- Opinion
The Left Has No Respect for God, Country, or History–Including Patrick Henry
Three years ago I wrote about what a spine-tingling feeling it was to attend a recreation of Patrick Henry’s fiery “Give me liberty, or give me death” speech in the place where he actually gave it: St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. St. John’s, built in 1741 on a high hill with a grand…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
When Judges Violate the Constitution
Leftist judges want to turn President Donald Trump into a president in name only. Look at all the ways that individual judges have hamstrung the Trump administration. A district court judge recently blocked Trump’s executive order removing transgender individuals from the military. Another judge ordered the Trump administration to send two men who are pretending…Victor Joecks -
- News
James Piereson Selected as Final 2025 Bradley Prize Recipient
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation announced Tuesday philanthropist, scholar, and author James Piereson as the third and final 2025 Bradley Prize winner. Piereson, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, will receive the award alongside conservative activist Christopher Rufo and historian Barry Strauss at the Bradley Prizes ceremony on May 29…R.E. Wermus -
- News
Greenpeace to Appeal $660M Verdict in Pipeline Case
A jury has ruled that Greenpeace, a left-wing environmental activist group, must pay $667 million to Energy Transfer, the Texas company that partially owns the Dakota Access Pipeline. A North Dakota jury on March 19 found Greenpeace USA liable for defamation, trespass, nuisance, and civil conspiracy. Greenpeace International and the Greenpeace Fund Inc. were found…Jacob Adams -
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Democrat Lawmaker Mocks Governor’s Disability, Sparking Backlash
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include responses from both Rep. Crockett’s and Gov. Abbott’s offices. A Democrat member of Congress from Dallas has drawn criticism for taking a jab at the Texas governor and the fact that he is in a wheelchair in remarks at a Human Rights Campaign dinner Saturday. The…Moira Gleason -
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He Was Arrested in Panama in 1988. Upon Returning 36 Years Later, Its President Welcomed Him Into the Palace.
The last time Mike Gonzalez was in Panama, he was arrested. Upon returning 36 years later, he was welcomed into Panama’s presidential palace to meet with President José Raúl Mulino. As Gonzalez will attest, much has changed in Panama since 1988. “Panama is now a free place that elects its own government. Back then,…Virginia Allen -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: ESG Ruling Puts New Pressure on Public Pension Funds and BlackRock
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—A federal court ruling regarding ESG investing with BlackRock could put public pension funds on the defense, a consumer group is warning. Consumers’ Research sent letters to the largest public pensions boards in each state Tuesday warning BlackRock’s focus on ESG–an acronym for environmental, social, and governance–could lead to serious liabilities…Fred Lucas -
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Speaker Appears to Favor Alternatives to Impeaching Activist Judges
At a press conference Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson outlined strategies for combating federal judges, most of them appointed by Democrat presidents, who have overruled or enjoined many of President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Johnson, R-La., indicated a hesitancy to impeach federal judges, but expressed openness to laws limiting judges’ authority, as well as requiring…George Caldwell -
- News
Leavitt Slams ‘Sensationalist’ Journalist Added to Signal Chat About Bombing Houthis
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic of “sensationalist spin” in his now-viral report about a national security Signal chat where top Trump officials discussed airstrikes in Yemen. On Monday, Jeffrey Goldberg, a long-time Trump critic, published a story saying national security adviser Mike Waltz added him to a group…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
- Opinion
Teachers Unions Oppose Reintroduction of Phonics
For decades, K-12 schools have wandered away from a time-tested, research-based method of teaching reading: phonics. Student scores have plunged to historic lows, but some states are turning back to the practice of teaching letter sounds—if teacher unions do not spoil the efforts first. Phonics instructs children to identify letters and their pronunciation to construct…Emma Horn -
- Opinion
Greenland’s Vast Mineral Wealth Could Be Unlocked by the US
The Trump administration continues to push hard to acquire Greenland and for good reason. On Sunday the White House announced that second lady Usha Vance would be visiting Greenland to observe a sled race and tour historic sites. White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will be visiting as well. Greenland’s outgoing,…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
FDA Finally Takes Actions Seizing Amyl Nitrate ‘Poppers’ But Still Allows Nitrous Oxide Abuse to Continue
While the Food and Drug Administration has finally taken steps to close a regulatory loophole regarding “poppers” and amyl nitrate, at the 11th hour, right before President Donald Trump’s FDA commissioner has taken office, it hasn’t advanced significant regulatory action on illicit marketing and abuse of nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide (also referred to as laughing gas) has a…David Gortler -
- Opinion
William F. Buckley Stamp is Fitting Tribute
Conservatives have a rare reason to cheer the United States Postal Service: It is releasing a stamp in honor of one of the godfathers of American conservatism, William F. Buckley Jr., this fall. This new stamp is fitting and timely for several reasons. Bill, as he was known to friends and colleagues, was a prolific, bountiful letter writer. He relished corresponding regularly with allies and adversaries alike—and with exacting graciousness and generosity….Timothy Goeglein -
- News
‘The Hall of Evil’: PragerU Examines Pol Pot’s Murderous Communist Regime
PragerU last Monday released the sixth and final installment in its video series “The Hall of Evil,” which features commentary on six 20th-century dictators. Narrated by Paul Kengor, professor of political science at Grove City College and editor of The American Spectator, the newest video delves into the horrors of Pol Pot’s rule, exposing the…R.E. Wermus -
- Opinion
Atlas Network’s Private Development Efforts Abroad Put USAID to Shame
Elon Musk is helping President Donald Trump rein in profligate, reckless, and corrupt federal spending via the new Department of Government Efficiency. Democrats are not amused. Left-wing domestic terrorists have responded by firing bullets into the windshields of electric vehicles at Musk’s Tesla dealerships. They have torched Tesla charging stations, set Teslas ablaze in parking lots, and…Deroy Murdock -
- News
Former GOP Congresswoman Mia Love Dies
Former Utah Rep. Mia Love died Sunday at her home of glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. In 2014, she made history as the first black Republican woman elected to the House of Representatives and as the first black person elected to Congress from Utah. Love represented Utah’s 4th Congressional District for two terms from…Jacob Adams