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
New York Times May Have Broken Law by Publishing Trump’s Tax Returns
The New York Times no doubt considers it quite a coup to have obtained and published President Donald Trump’s tax return information from 1985 to 1994. But doing so violated Trump’s right under federal law to the confidentiality of his tax returns. The Times—which reported that Trump’s businesses lost $1.17 billion during the 10-year period—has no… -
opinion
A Sign of Hope From Hollywood
This article contains spoilers for “Long Shot.” For most of its two hours, “Long Shot” follows the usual tropes for a movie centered on a political character. In the movie, which chronicles the love story between the elegant secretary of state and presidential contender Charlotte Fields (Charlize Theron) and the windbreaker-wearing, sloppy, stubborn journalist Fred… -
opinion
Why the Left Mocks the Bible
At PragerU, we have released about 400 videos on virtually every subject outside of the natural sciences and math. Along with 2 billion views, the videos have garnered tens of thousands of comments. So we have a pretty good handle on what people most love and most hate. For example, any video defending America or… -
opinion
The Injustice of the Left’s Fury Against Barr
Democrats have grown infuriated by Attorney General William Barr’s indifference to their hysteria over the Trump-Russia collusion narrative. Barr recently released a brief summary of special counsel Robert Mueller’s conclusions that President Donald Trump did not collude with the Russians to warp the 2016 election. Barr added that Mueller had not found enough evidence to… -
opinion
4 Reasons ‘Breakthrough’ Is Worth Your Time and Money at the Multiplex
When it comes to Christian movies, I’m always a bit skeptical entering the theater. But this past weekend, I decided to see “Breakthrough” and found it well worth the price of admission. Spoiler alert: Some minor spoilers ahead, but nothing you probably couldn’t deduce from watching the film’s trailer. “Breakthrough,” released April 17, has grossed… -
opinion
Equality Act Is About Civil Tyranny, Not Civil Rights
The House Judiciary Committee has voted out the Equality Act of 2019. It now heads for a vote on the House floor with 240 co-sponsors, which means its passage is virtually certain. The legislation amends all major civil rights law, including the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” along with… -
opinion
David McCullough’s ‘The Pioneers’ Is a Rebuke to Our Entitlement Mentality
In a country preoccupied with presidential candidates preaching extreme liberalism and even unabashed socialism comes America’s greatest living historian, David McCullough, with a new and needed book. It’s called “The Pioneers,” and the subtitle is its theme: “The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West” (Simon & Schuster). Nowadays, while students… -
news
Pennsylvania Democrat Brian Sims Slammed for Non-Apology After Harassing Pro-Lifers
Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims, who went viral for recording himself accosting pro-lifers praying outside a Planned Parenthood clinic, sparked backlash after posting a video addressing the controversy in which he again attacked pro-lifers. Sims revealed in a video he posted Tuesday to Twitter that he has “spent the last seven years serving as… -
opinion
House Democrats Show Their Contempt for Constitution, Rule of Law
Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., falsely labeled Attorney General William Barr a “liar.” Our colleague and former Supreme Court litigator Paul Larkin debunked that baseless epithet, as did Harvard Law School professor Jack Goldsmith and Kim Strassel of The Wall Street Journal. Now House Democrats are threatening to hold Barr in contempt of… -
opinion
Once Again, Coastal Elites Undermine Our Values
This week, the Met Gala took place in New York City. The event has always been a showpiece for celebrities seeking to make a splash, from Rihanna in her Pope costume to Katy Perry dressed as a chandelier. This year’s event was designed in homage to Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on Camp.” According to… -
opinion
Discrimination Isn’t the Only Thing Causing Inequality
Last week’s column discussed Thomas Sowell’s newest book “Discrimination and Disparities,” which is an enlarged and revised edition of an earlier version. In this review, I am going to focus on one of his richest chapters titled “Social Visions and Human Consequences.” Sowell challenges the seemingly invincible fallacy “that group outcomes in human endeavors would… -
news
As Democrats Threaten Barr, a Look Back at What Happened With Holder’s Contempt Charge
Some Democratic lawmakers threaten to handcuff and lock up Attorney General William Barr, but holding someone in contempt of Congress rarely is more than a censure vote. The most relevant comparison: In a bipartisan vote, 17 House Democrats joined the Republican majority in 2012 to hold then-Attorney General Eric Holder in criminal contempt of Congress… -
opinion
Where the US-Iran Confrontation Is Heading
The slow-motion confrontation between the United States and Iran is heating up, one year after Washington withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. On Sunday, national security adviser John Bolton issued a terse statement: In response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings, the United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier… -
opinion
Nancy Pelosi’s Equality Act Would Undo Trump’s Most Significant Achievements
Back in October, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told an audience at Harvard University that if the Democrats retook the House, one of her top legislative priorities would be to pass the misnamed Equality Act, a bill that would impose radical sexual ideology on the nation. Democrats took the House, and Pelosi wasn’t bluffing. She’s… -
opinion
Ex-Gay Pastor’s Counseling of Those Questioning Their Sexuality Could Be at Risk With Equality Act
Ken Williams represents what some activists say is impossible: Previously gay, he’s now married to a woman and has kids. He says God has helped him change. Williams now works at a church and counsels people who face their own unwanted sexual attractions—but some say his work should be illegal. Read our interview, posted below,… -
news
4 Things to Know About Mark Morgan, Trump’s Choice to Run ICE
President Donald Trump’s choice to run U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement potentially could draw bipartisan support in the Senate confirmation process for his time working on related issues in the Obama administration. Mark Morgan also backs Trump on the need for a border wall and says Congress could enact a legislative solution to address 85%… -
opinion
End the EPA’s ‘Ancillary’ Ploy Justifying Excessive Regulations
First, don’t do 2,400 times more harm than good. In the past, the Environmental Protection Agency didn’t agree with that sentiment. That might be changing, though, as the EPA appears to be rejecting a scheme that has led to some of the costliest rules in U.S. history. In 2012, the EPA finalized a rule to… -
opinion
House Democrats Ready Vote to Undercut Health Care Innovation
House Democrats this week will vote on HR 986, a bill that would harm Americans by leading to fewer health care choices and higher health care costs. It also would undercut what polls tell us 64% of Americans say they want in health care: to build on what is working and fix what isn’t. The… -
opinion
Interview: Why Gary Sinise, aka Lt. Dan, Is a Grateful American
Twenty-five years ago, Gary Sinise played the role of Lt. Dan Taylor in the blockbuster movie "Forrest Gump." It transformed his acting career and changed his life. Today, Sinise is an outspoken advocate for America's military veterans. He's also the author of "Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service." Sinise recently spoke to The… -
opinion
We Hear You: The Equality Act and the LGBT Agenda
Editor's note: The Daily Signal's audience had much to say about our coverage of House Democrats' Equality Act, which would create civil rights protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity rather than simply sex. A sampling leads off this week's mailbag. You may write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Other than the…