Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
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- News
8 Takeaways From Kash Patel’s FBI Confirmation Hearing
Kash Patel faced sharp questioning from Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday as President Donald Trump’s nominee to be FBI director. “The only thing that will matter if I’m confirmed as director of the FBI is a de-weaponized, depoliticized system of law enforcement, completely devoted to rigorous obedience of the Constitution and single…Fred Lucas -
- News
6 Big Moments From RFK Jr.’s 2nd Day of Confirmation Hearings
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced his second day of questioning from senators Thursday as he seeks confirmation as President Donald Trump’s secretary of health and human services. Kennedy testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions just one day after completing a lengthy hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. He explained—and defended—his…Moira Gleason -
- Opinion
America Has Lost Faith in the FBI. Kash Patel Is the Right Pick to Fix That.
I have noticed a shocking trend in my conversations with families in my state and across the nation. For the past year, at almost every event I attended and when running into folks at restaurants, outside my offices and around the state, I asked a simple question, “Do you trust that the FBI and the…Sen. Rick Scott -
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Want ‘Due Cause’ for the Firing of Inspectors General? How About This?
Democrats in Congress like Reps. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Maxine Waters, D-Calif., are criticizing President Donald Trump’s firing of 17 inspectors general, including in the departments of State, Transportation, Labor, Interior, Energy, and Commerce, claiming that doing so “without due cause is antithetical to good government.” There is a very strong argument to be made…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
Making America Great Again Requires More Babies
There’s little need to become an interplanetary country if we can’t populate the country we already have. President Donald Trump’s inaugural address didn’t just include an amazing list of things he wants to do. It cast an aspirational vision for Americans to rally around. “The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation,”…Victor Joecks -
- Opinion
It Makes Sense That the Left Fears Kash Patel
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today’s video from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of his videos. I want to talk today about the current nomination process, specifically Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s designate to be director of FBI. It’s causing perhaps…Victor Davis Hanson -
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5 Big Issues Aired at RFK Jr.’s Hearing to Head HHS
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a barrage of hostile questions Wednesday from Senate Democrats at his confirmation hearing to be the next secretary of health and human services. In his opening statement, Kennedy told the Senate Finance Committee that he had gotten on his knees and prayed to God to help him end America’s chronic…Jacob Adams -
- Opinion
The Harder the Change, the Tougher the Vote
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today’s video from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of his videos. We’re in a weekslong process of confirming nominees of the Donald Trump administration for these 13 Cabinet-level positions. And I think it may go on…Victor Davis Hanson -
- Opinion
CNN Anchor Can’t Handle the Truth of Trump’s New Polling High
CNN data expert Harry Enten delivers poll results on air to his colleagues, whether they want to hear it or not. On the first Friday of President Donald Trump’s second term, he brought bad news to CNN morning anchor Kate Bolduan that a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found Trump had a net approval rating of plus-6….Tim Graham -
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EXCLUSIVE: Largest Teachers Union Held Webinar on Protecting ‘Undocumented’ Children from ICE
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The National Education Association held a webinar on Jan. 17 instructing teachers on how to protect “undocumented” students from immigration authorities. The presentation for members of America’s largest teachers union was part of a webinar series titled “Preparing for a Second Trump Administration” and was reviewed by Parents Defending Education and…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
- Opinion
Make the National Assessment of Educational Progress Great Again
Florida has led the nation in education since 2019, instituting revolutionary educational reforms such as first-in-the-nation progress monitoring assessments, universal school choice, supporting parental rights in education, and refocusing Florida’s education model on the basics of math, science, reading, and history. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida also led the nation in bringing students back to…Manny Diaz -
- News
Trump’s Fight Against Online Censorship Goes Global
Flanked by some of the Big Tech executives whose companies had suppressed the views of his supporters throughout his predecessor’s term, President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 declared the days of such speech policing over. Hours later, the president put action behind his words, signing an executive order prohibiting the federal government from engaging in, facilitating, or…Ben Weingarten -
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Kristi Noem Delivers First Address to DHS Staff
The newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem delivered remarks to her staff for the first time Tuesday afternoon. “We will exercise all legal authorities that we have to protect this country because it is the only last light of freedom left,” Noem told a packed room of her new colleagues. “I…Virginia Allen -
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What White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Had to Say to Legacy Media and New Media in First Press Briefing
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt opened the James Brady Briefing Room to new media and came down hard on illegal immigration, while also tackling questions about government spending and tariffs in her first White House press briefing of the new Trump administration Tuesday. She also broke news, announcing that the large number of drones…Moira Gleason -
- News
House Panel to Investigate Sanctuary Cities, Calls 4 Democratic Mayors to Testify
THE CENTER SQUARE—The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has launched an investigation into sanctuary jurisdictions and the impact of their policies on public safety and federal immigration enforcement. Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., sent letters Monday to the Democratic mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City requesting documents and communications related to their…Bethany Blankley -
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Defying DeSantis, Florida Legislature Gavels Out of Special Session, Then Reconvenes
THE CENTER SQUARE—The Florida Legislature responded Monday to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a special session by gaveling out of his and convening its own. Lawmakers will only take up an immigration-related bill and will not tackle the other issues called for in DeSantis’ proclamation, which included condominium regulations, electoral security reforms, and modifying the…Steve Wilson -
- Opinion
Trump’s Visit to North Carolina Means More Than Many Understand
In the days leading up to President Donald Trump’s visit to Appalachian North Carolina, Monica Glowinski said her biggest prayer for the people of Buncombe County, which was devastated by the wrath of Hurricane Helene, was that Trump would not let their plight be forgotten. “I am optimistic that President Trump is focusing his energies…Salena Zito -
- Opinion
When Head Start Fails Our Children: A Wake-Up Call for Reform
Imagine sending your child to a federally funded early-childhood program, thinking they’re in a safe, nurturing environment, only to discover they’ve been repeatedly exposed to hazardous mold. Imagine hearing that a teacher entrusted with your child’s care grabbed him or her by the hood of his or her jacket and slammed him or her to…Madison Marino Doan -
- News
Jan. 6 Prisoners Slowly Being Released After Trump’s Pardons
Some prisoners charged with crimes related to the protests of Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol have had a slow release from jails and prisons despite President Donald Trump’s unconditional pardons and commutations. Last week, The Heritage Foundation’s Christian Lasval visited the D.C. Central Detention Facility as some of the Jan. 6 prisoners were being…Jacob Adams -
- Opinion
Make Government Small Again
“First, we’re gonna cut it off, and then we’re gonna kill it.” With that brief, bold statement describing what was about to happen to the Iraqi army at the beginning of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell conveyed to the American people that the United States had…Steve McKee