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
In the Name of Tolerance, California Blacklists Idaho
In a bizarre show of authoritarianism—even for them—California state officials have decided to ban state-funded travel to Idaho because of its transgender law. In a press release, California’s attorney general, Xavier Becerra, said: “Where states legislate discrimination, California unambiguously speaks out. The state of Idaho has taken drastic steps to undermine the rights of the… -
opinion
Is This the Stupidest Time in America’s History?
Have we become a nation of toddlers? Even as our country is grappling with weighty questions about history, racism, and how to deal with a pandemic, we’re seeing an explosion of behavior as rational as that of a small child, high on sugar-laced juice boxes, throwing a tantrum. Just consider these examples from the past… -
news
Abandoned Businesses, Residents Living Within Seattle’s CHOP Sue City
Businesses, workers, and residents sued the city of Seattle on Wednesday, saying local leadership enabled and endorsed the occupied zone at the detriment of “basic public safety.” At least a dozen businesses filed the class-action lawsuit, which came as a result of Seattle’s Capitol Hill Organized Protest’s continued proliferation in the city. “Rather than seeking to restore… -
news
House Democrats Block GOP Resolution Opposing Efforts to Defund Police
Democrats in the House on Thursday blocked consideration of a Republican resolution opposing efforts pushed by some on the left to defund police departments across the country. “Our resolution strongly opposes what I think is one of the craziest public policy proposals I have ever seen—this idea that we’re going to defund the police,” Rep…. -
news
Are You a #ProudAmerican? Here’s an Opportunity to Say Why
Americans watching in shock, disbelief, and anger as mobs tear down statues, vandalize other property, and attack police officers now have an outlet to express pride in being part of our nation. The Heritage Foundation and its lobbying arm, Heritage Action for America, are urging supporters and allies to record and submit short videos on… -
opinion
Lessons of the Korean War Remain Relevant Today
Korea is known as the “Land of the Morning Calm.” But on June 25, 70 years ago, North Korea shattered that tranquility by unleashing a brutal war, which lasted three years and devastated the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang’s invasion revealed the true nature of the regime—characteristics which remain ingrained despite the passage of time and changes… -
opinion
Correcting the Record on George Washington’s Mother
A pivotal moment in world history occurred when Mary Ball Washington forbade her eldest son from joining the British navy as a cabin boy—one-third of whom died at sea. After obeying his mother this time, George Washington lived to fight and lead another day. Despite a sometimes complex relationship with his mother, he said a… -
news
Wray Has ‘Serious Concerns’ About Comey FBI’s Investigation of Michael Flynn
FBI Director Christopher Wray said in an interview aired Wednesday that he has “serious concerns” about how the bureau handled the investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. “I will say … the Flynn investigation, which took place before I started, and by the time I started was in the hands of the special… -
opinion
What the 1619 Project Gets Wrong About Slavery and America’s Founding
In the wake of recent Black Lives Matter protests—in response to the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer and the important dialog that has resulted—I am inclined to revisit The New York Times’ controversial 1619 Project. This project propagates a popular narrative, which has taken hold among many in the… -
news
4 Things the Liberal Media Won’t Tell You About Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter as a movement, or at least a slogan, recently has attracted broad support in favor of racial equality and opposition to police brutality. Two-thirds of Americans say they either strongly or somewhat support the Black Lives Matter movement, according to a Pew Research poll. However, at least one self-described “trained Marxist” founded the… -
opinion
Countering the Lethal Narrative of the 1619 Project With Robert Woodson and Kenneth Blackwell
“The most effective way to destroy a people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”—George Orwell According to The New York Times, the true founding of the United States of America did not begin with the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Rather, the Times informs us, the founding occurred in 1619,… -
opinion
In Past Eras, What’s Happened When Statues Are Toppled
Modern America is far from the only place where mobs have torn down statues. “During the French Revolution there were attacks on statues,” says Jarrett Stepman, author of “The War on History.” “Of course, that devolved into attacks on people.” Stepman discusses France’s history of statue-toppling, Lincoln’s warnings on mob rule, and more. Listen to… -
opinion
Problematic Women: The Roots of America’s ‘New Anarchy,’ According to a College Professor
America’s historic statues are being toppled and defaced. Violent riots have led to the destruction of businesses and even the physical harm of American citizens. Carol Swain, award-winning author, host of “Be the People Podcast,” and political scientist, joins “Problematic Women” to explain why the violence is a danger to achieving the justice rioters claim… -
news
Citing ‘Racist Origins,’ Seattle Votes to Strike Down Drug and Prostitution Loitering Laws
The Seattle City Council unanimously voted Monday to ditch an ordinance allowing police officers to arrest loiterers if they’re suspected of drug dealing or prostitution, citing its racial origins. The rejection of the loitering bill, which reportedly affected black communities at a higher rate, has moved to Democratic Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan’s desk for final approval before… -
news
America’s Top 20 Cities for Crime, and What Party Runs Them
Annoyed that Senate Democrats are blocking a police reform bill, President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the 20 U.S. cities with the highest crime rates are all run by Democrats. “The Senate Republicans want very much to pass a bill on police reform,” Trump said during a Rose Garden press conference with Polish President Andrzej… -
news
Park Police Won’t Say Whether They’ll Prevent Toppling of Lincoln Statue
Protesters are threatening to tear down a statue in Washington, D.C., depicting President Abraham Lincoln freeing a slave. On Tuesday, protesters surrounded the Emancipation Memorial in Washington’s Lincoln Park, the largest park on Capitol Hill, vowing, “Thursday at 7 p.m., we’re tearing this motherf—ker down,” as seen in a video in a tweet from Richie… -
opinion
DC Circuit Orders Rogue Trial Judge to Dismiss Flynn Case
Michael Flynn’s case has been unprecedented. This isn’t news. But it is news that today a federal appeals court agreed and found that Judge Emmet Sullivan’s actions constituted “unprecedented intrusions on individual liberty and the Executive’s charging authority.” Those are strong words. So what happened? How did we get here? And where are we headed? The… -
opinion
Criminals Tearing Down DC Statues Should Be Prosecuted. Here Are the Laws They’re Violating.
It seems like every day angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of people they don’t like. And it is not just limited to statues of Confederate soldiers. Mobs have attacked statues of Mahatma Gandhi and former presidents Andrew Jackson and Ulysses Grant. The attempt to topple the statue of Jackson—which fortunately was foiled—occurred… -
news
Planned Parenthood Fires Top Executive Over Allegations of Racism
A top executive at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America has been fired over allegations of racism. The organization’s board of directors announced Tuesday that it had “parted ways” Monday with Laura McQuade, who had served as chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York since 2017, The New York Times reported. The news came… -
opinion
He Spent 5 Days in Seattle’s CHOP. Here’s What He Saw.
Andy Ngo, the editor at large for the Canada-based Post Millennial, who was badly beaten by Antifa in June 2019, spent five days undercover in Seattle’s so-called Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), also known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP). It’s a self-declared “autonomous” and cop-free zone. Ngo joins the podcast to discuss what…