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
Ending California’s Lockdown on Churches Is Compatible With Science and Good Health
Forty million California residents have been living under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s statewide lockdown order since March 19. This lockdown order—which was the first in the nation—was based on Newsom’s assessment of the health risks of COVID-19. In Los Angeles County, 10 million residents are in lockdown, which was implemented at the county level by a series… -
opinion
Why the Left’s ‘Cure’ for Health Care Woes Is Far Worse Than the Malady
Health care in America is too bureaucratic, costly, and complex. Self-styled “progressive” politicians claim they have a “remedy” for that; namely, the creation of a new government-run health plan—sometimes called “single payer” or “Medicare for All”—replacing all private and employment-based coverage, as well as most major federal health programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Some politicians are now trying to… -
opinion
The 11th Circuit Again Quashes Judge’s Continued Election Meddling in Alabama
In the nearly five-month-long court battle involving a federal district court trying to prevent Alabama from enforcing state laws intended to safeguard the integrity of the voting process by requiring voters to present an ID when they vote as well as having a witness for absentee ballots, the latest developments occurred this week. Fortunately, a… -
opinion
7th Circuit Court Stays District Judge’s Order and Provides a Civics Lesson on the Proper Role of Judges
Many federal district court judges have an expansive view of their authority—which far too often ignores Supreme Court precedent. Judge William Conley, a federal district court judge who was appointed by President Barack Obama, certainly seems to have an expansive view of his, as made evident by some election-related orders he gave that clearly surpass… -
opinion
Sen. Ernst Analyzes the Final Day of Barrett Hearings
We catch Sen. Joni Ernst just after the final day of hearings has wrapped up. The Iowa Republican reflects on the distractions that were part of this hearing and the constant talk of court packing. -
opinion
Portland’s Rogue District Attorney in Inaction: 543 Cases of Injustice
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has refused to prosecute more than half of the protest-related cases referred to his office by law enforcement officials in Portland, Oregon. That’s 543 cases that will never be tried. Why? Schmidt says he’s acting—or, more accurately, not acting—in the “interest of justice.” To be clear, he’s not saying… -
opinion
Remembering Gen. Edward Charles ‘Shy’ Meyer
America lost an esteemed Army leader this past Tuesday with the death of Gen. Edward Charles “Shy” Meyer. Meyer, who died at 91, served his country as an Army officer for 32 years and left a legacy of reforms to the Army as chief of staff. A 1951 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at… -
opinion
Destroying the Institutions We Inherited
In the 21st century, hallmark American and international institutions have lost much of their prestige and respect. Politics and biases explain the lack of public confidence in organizations and institutions such as the World Health Organization, the Commission on Presidential Debates, the Nobel Peace Prize, the Pulitzer Prizes, and the Academy Awards. The overseers entrusted… -
opinion
The Mob Goes After Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln’s statues dot the landscape for a reason that is well-understood: He is a symbol of wisdom, decency, sacrifice, and perseverance in defeating slavery and liberating millions of black Americans. Antifa rioters knocked down his statue in Portland during a self-proclaimed “Day of Rage” on the eve of Columbus Day. They also trashed the… -
news
8 Big Moments From Day 3 of Barrett’s Confirmation Hearings
On the third and final day of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, senators revisited some issues covered the day before but also detoured into a president’s ability to pardon himself and the high court’s resolution of the 2000 presidential election. Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee also had to… -
opinion
A Tale of 2 Campgrounds and Government’s Unhappy Campers
When COVID-19 hit, I quarantined in eastern Massachusetts. Biking around the woods, I noticed something strange. There are two campgrounds near my house. One is full. Lots of people pitch tents or park trailers at a place called Maurice’s. A short bike ride away is a much bigger campground that’s almost entirely empty. Why? It’s… -
opinion
Taiwan and the US Are Building on Strong Relationship
The United States and Taiwan have long been strong partners that are committed to free markets, the rule of law, and democracy. Cooperation continues to grow, pragmatically, step by step. A liberalizing, bilateral trade and investment agreement is the logical next step for upgrading mutual trust and expanding economic interaction between the two long-time partners…. -
news
Barrett Addresses Attacks on Her Adopted Children From Haiti
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett addressed attacks on her family and her adopted children during Tuesday’s confirmation hearing. “They are my children who we love and who we brought home and made part of our family,” Barrett said, “and accusations like that are cruel.” Sen. John Kennedy asks ACB about Boston University's @DrIbram saying… -
opinion
How a DC Court Sided With a Church That Wants to Meet, Not the Mayor
Churches in the nation’s capital either haven’t been able to meet in person or have had extremely limited ability to do so because of COVID-19 restrictions imposed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Capitol Hill Baptist Church went to court against the mayor in September and just achieved a big win for religious freedom. Joining the… -
news
Sens. Blackburn, Ernst Discuss 2nd Day of Barrett Hearing
In this episode, Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, reflect on the long and grueling hearing day for Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Though she was subjected to almost 11 hours of questions, Barrett was the picture of poise and impressed observers around the nation, say the two senators, who both sit on the… -
news
6 Key Issues Aired on Day 2 of Barrett’s Confirmation Hearings
After a first day of speechifying on Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee got down to questions for federal appeals court Judge Amy Coney Barrett on the second day of her confirmation hearing to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. President Donald Trump nominated Barrett, currently a judge on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals,… -
opinion
To Reach Younger Audiences, Policymakers Should Turn to the Environment
It is no secret the conservative movement in America struggles to attract younger voters. Research conducted by the Pew Research Center shows that only 12% of millennials identify as conservative or mostly conservative. One policy issue that could help conservatives grow their ranks among younger voters is the environment. Compared to other generations, younger voters have… -
opinion
‘Spontaneous’ Street Violence Is Well Organized, Pursuing a Radical Agenda
Add up everything we know about the ongoing violence in America’s cities, and you get a troubling picture. It has nothing to do with law-abiding, peaceful demonstrations in favor of civil rights and police reform. No, the violence that exploits these well-intentioned activities—which often occurs after night falls and demonstrations have ended—is part of an… -
news
Netflix CEO Says ‘Cuties’ Is Misunderstood, but ‘Speaks for Itself’
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in a Monday interview that the hotly-debated new movie “Cuties” is misunderstood. “It’s a little surprising in 2020 America that we’re having a discussion about censoring storytelling,” Sarandos said Monday, according to Deadline. “It’s a film that is very misunderstood with some audiences, uniquely within the United States,” he continued. “The… -
news
‘We Wept Together’: Barrett on How George Floyd’s Death Affected Her Black Children
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett discussed how the death of George Floyd affected her family, including her two black children, during the Tuesday morning Senate Judiciary Committee hearings. Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin brought up the video of Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes,…