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
They Aren’t Whistleblowers. They’re Double Agents.
The New York Times on Oct. 4 reported that a second intelligence official “alarmed by President [Donald] Trump’s dealings with Ukraine” is considering whether to file a complaint with the intelligence community inspector general. Like the first whistleblower, however, this individual is apparently trying to advance his agenda outside of the process provided by federal… -
opinion
Are High Health Costs Really Forcing Americans to Go Overseas?
A recent piece in Medical Xpress drew attention to the high costs of U.S. health care—and just how far some Americans are going to escape them. The piece shares the story of one patient, Veronica Merrill, who sought bariatric surgery that would have cost $12,000 in the United States but less than $4,000 in Mexico…. -
opinion
Mary Millben on What It’s Like Being a Conservative in the Entertainment Industry
Working in politics is not the usual springboard into a singing career, but this was the unorthodox path of Christian conservative Mary Millben. In today’s episode, Millben sits down with The Daily Signal to discuss her unique career path, and what it’s like to be a conservative in the entertainment industry. Millben also talks about… -
news
‘True North’ Outlines 14 Conservative Principles
The Heritage Foundation will introduce a set of 14 conservative principles Monday at the outset of the influential think tank’s annual President’s Club meeting in Washington. Heritage Foundation President Kay Coles James said the laser-focused definition of conservatism in the document, called “True North: The Principles of Conservatism,” is designed to unite the movement. “While… -
opinion
California’s War on Citizenship
California—a one-party state dominated by progressives—has become the model for where progressivism will go when completely unchecked. Now, even the basic concept of citizenship is under full-blown assault as the state has moved on from being a “sanctuary state” for illegal immigrants to outright insisting that noncitizens have the same access to the levers of… -
opinion
Syria Cease-Fire Should Avoid Needless Bloodshed
Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and national security adviser Robert O’Brien showed they know how to talk Turkey when they announced Thursday that they negotiated a five-day delay in the Turkish military’s advance into Kurdish-held territory in Syria along Turkey’s border. The U.S. officials met for nearly five hours with Turkish… -
opinion
Texas Shooting Death Shows the High Cost of Police Negligence
Over the last several days, many journalists and commentators have reported on the tragic death of Atatiana Jefferson, a Fort Worth, Texas, pre-med student who was shot through a window by a police officer conducting a check on her property. If witness statements and body camera footage are anything to go by, Jefferson’s death is… -
opinion
William Barr Is Right: Secularists Are Imposing Their Own Religion
Attorney General William Barr gave a powerful speech last week on religious liberty in America at Notre Dame Law School. If you missed it, it’s well worth reading. Barr traced the central role of religious liberty in our nation’s history and the importance of a morally disciplined and virtuous citizenry for maintaining a free government such as… -
opinion
Why Portland’s Homeless Problem Is the Worst in the Nation
The alleys of Portland, Oregon, are strewn with piles of garbage and used drug needles, reflecting a growing problem of homelessness, drug addiction, and mental illness. Mental illness is now more common among the homeless in Oregon than in any other state. According to a study from 2016, 35-40% of homeless adults in Oregon suffer… -
opinion
Repair Backlog Illustrates Navy’s Readiness Challenge
A maintenance backlog that causes mission-critical vessels to face delayed repairs puts the U.S. Navy’s ability to project power globally at risk, and if not addressed soon by Congress and the Defense Department, could leave the Navy dangerously unprepared to meet challenges around the world. The Navy plays a major role in protecting U.S. strategic… -
opinion
Boris Johnson Strikes a Brexit Deal
After days of optimistic leaks and rumors, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has done what the European Union said was impossible. He’s successfully re-opened the bad Brexit deal struck by former Prime Minister Theresa May, and won a new deal that is significantly better for Britain. The light is now flashing green for Brexit. The… -
opinion
In Georgia, Parents Win Battle Over Transgender Bathrooms at School
Jasper, Georgia, isn’t a big town. At last count, it had about 3,800 residents. So it was a big deal when 900 squeezed into the Pickens High School auditorium determined to stop Jasper from becoming the next stop in the march for transgender bathrooms. For the small community, the time for polite conversation was over…. -
opinion
How California and Foreign Carmakers Got in Bed to Keep Crony, Obama-Era Rules
I’m old enough to remember when businesses fought overregulation because it was bad for their bottom lines. That has changed. Now, overregulation is a profit center. There is no better example of this than the ongoing effort to stop the Trump administration from rolling back the ridiculous automobile fuel economy standards issued by the Obama… -
news
Maryland’s Rep. Elijah Cummings Dies at 68
Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., died at an affiliate of Johns Hopkins Hospital early Thursday as a result of "complications from longstanding health challenges," his office said in a statement. He was 68. Cummings was chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, one of the major congressional committees involved in the impeachment inquiry against President… -
opinion
This Student Refused to Bow to Trans Ideology at Berkeley
Isabella Chow recently served as a student senator at the University of California, Berkeley, one of the most far-left campuses in America. She received major backlash from fellow students when she abstained from voting on a measure to support transgender ideology. Today, we’ll share an exclusive interview with Isabella by our colleague Virginia Allen. We’ll… -
opinion
US Must Prevent Rise of New ISIS Caliphate in Syria Following Our Troop Withdrawal
The United States did not green-light the Turkish incursion into Syria. The U.S. did, however, fail to deter the incursion, and it failed to broker any kind of deal between Turkey and the YPG, the armed Kurdish militia fighting the Islamic State in northern Syria. All of that is now history, and—as we know—there are no do-overs in history. All… -
opinion
House Democrats’ New Bill Would Drive Up College Costs Even Further
House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that combines some of the worst higher education policies into one bundle. The bill, titled the College Affordability Act, would overhaul the Higher Education Act of 1965. While that law certainly needs significant revision, this proposal would replicate, and in some cases double down on, the unwise policies… -
opinion
‘Batwoman’ Actress Ruby Rose Is Happy She Didn’t Transition to a Man
On the occasion of World Mental Health Day last week, actress Ruby Rose opened up about her early childhood trauma, mental disorders, and attempted suicides in an Instagram post. Rose, 33, who currently stars in the TV series “Batwoman” as the title character, wrote: The trauma and resulting mental health issues experienced by the Australian… -
opinion
2 Years On, #MeToo Needs a Course Correction
Two years ago this week, the #MeToo hashtag went viral amid allegations that Harvey Weinstein, a powerful film producer, had sexually assaulted numerous women. Ronan Farrow, the journalist at the New Yorker who first broke the story, published “Catch and Kill” this week, a book recounting these allegations and what became of the turmoil. While… -
opinion
San Francisco No Longer Feels Like It’s in America
It’s one thing to read about the decline of San Francisco. It’s another to see it for yourself. I could hardly recognize this once-captivating city of breathtaking views, delectable food, and cool jazz. Today it’s occupied by an army of homeless men and women who have turned Baghdad-by-the-bay into Bombay-by-the-bay with some of the dirtiest slums in…