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
The Importance of Dads in an Increasingly Fatherless America
There is a growing split taking place among American fathers today. On the one hand, more and more children are growing up without a dad in their lives. But on the other hand, fathers who are involved in their kids’ lives have actually become even more active. The Pew Research Center reports that fathers who… -
opinion
Problematic Women: Why Trump’s Huge Compliments of Kim?
Could flattery be the only way to Kim Jong Un’s heart and the future denuclearization of North Korea? After what President Donald Trump said was a successful summit, derided by many critics for producing what they say is a flimsy agreement, the president took to the media to compliment the North Korean dictator. “Really,… -
opinion
Podcast: Making Sure Asylum Laws Focus on the Persecuted
David Inserra, immigration expert at The Heritage Foundation, joins us to discuss Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ recent changes to asylum policy and what went wrong during the Obama years. Plus: It’s Flag Day, the Army’s birthday, and President Donald Trump’s birthday. -
news
Bigger Than the Internet? Blockchain Will Be, Online Retail Executive Says
The chairman of a billion-dollar retail company says that a digital cryptographic record-keeping system called blockchain will be “more meaningful than the internet” in the next decade. Although the digital cryptocurrency known as bitcoin has dominated headlines, the system that allows it to exist, blockchain, is the real game-changer, Jonathan Johnson, chairman of the board… -
opinion
Asylum Laws Must Remain Focused on the Persecuted
Asylum has been in the news a good deal lately, most recently with Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision on Monday to restrict domestic and gang violence victims from receiving asylum in the U.S. While the decision has been attacked by various immigrant groups, a closer look at U.S. asylum law indicates this limitation was necessary… -
news
With Knife Crimes on Rise, British Judge Recommends Duller Kitchen Knives
A veteran British judge says Britons should round off the tips of their large kitchen knives as a way to cut down on the rising number of knife attacks in England, which has strict gun controls. Judge Nicholas Madge made his proposal at his recent retirement ceremony after 77 knife-related incidents, including three deaths, occurred… -
news
Trump Picks Veteran Capitol Hill Lawyer to Head White House’s Environmental Council
President Donald Trump intends to nominate former Capitol Hill staff lawyer Mary Neumayr to head a White House council that coordinates energy and environmental policy across the administration. Neumayr, whose name Trump announced Tuesday night to lead the Council on Environmental Quality, has the backing of conservative leaders and key Senate Republicans. Supporters see her as… -
news
5 Key Questions Inspector General May Answer About Clinton Email Probe
The Justice Department’s internal watchdog is set to release a scathing, 500-page report Thursday addressing unanswered questions about the FBI’s probe of Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while secretary of state. “It should have something for both sides,” @TomFitton says. Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department’s inspector general, released a report in April… -
opinion
States Need More Authority to Counter Hostile Drones
At a hearing on June 6 to address legal authority to stop dangerous drones, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., asked, “Is this really all we’re doing?” The Prevent Emerging Threats Act of 2018, which Johnson introduced, was being debated by the panel he heads—the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He was asking if the… -
opinion
What Tocqueville Would Think of Today’s Criminal Justice Reforms
Americans are returning to a debate over recidivism and criminal justice reform we’ve maintained since the founding of our nation. The early 1800s saw a rise of populist political sentiments in the presidency of Andrew Jackson and a corresponding national discussion over reforming prisons to reduce recidivism. Concerns were voiced not just for protecting the… -
opinion
Podcast: How Microtrends Drive Change in Politics
Mark Penn, a former Clinton adviser and the author of “Microtrends Squared,” joins us to discuss how trends among small cohorts can lead to broader change. Plus: Is it fair that two transgender athletes dominated in a high school girls sport competition? -
news
Zuckerberg Admits Mishandling Controversy in Labeling Conservative Pundits as ‘Dangerous’
Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted Monday that his company “mishandled” the controversy of labeling Diamond and Silk—two popular conservative personalities—“dangerous” and “unsafe to the community” in early April. Facebook restricted the two conservative social media personalities on its platform on April 5 after being given the labels. The two are highly popular on… -
news
Rod Rosenstein to Ask House Intel Committee to Investigate Republican Staffers
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will recommend that the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence open an internal investigation of its Republican staffers following a damning new report from Fox News, a Department of Justice official said Tuesday. Rosenstein will request that the House general counsel conduct an internal investigation of these congressional staffers’ conduct… -
news
Lawsuit Aims to ‘Vindicate’ Andrew McCabe and ‘Restore His Good Name’
A lawyer for Andrew McCabe is suing the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Justice’s inspector general for records related to the former FBI deputy director’s firing in March. McCabe’s attorney, David L. Snyder, filed a lawsuit through the Freedom of Information Act on Tuesday in federal court in Washington. He argues… -
opinion
The Value in Learning the Army’s History
Thursday marks the Army’s 243rd birthday. On this day, soldiers past and present will be encouraged to pause and reflect on the years of service the Army has given the nation. The Army takes enormous pride in its history and heritage. The Second Continental Congress created the Army on June 14, 1775, when it authorized… -
opinion
The Meaning of the Stars and Stripes
“What are you doing to celebrate Flag Day?” It’s a question you probably won’t hear in the checkout line at the grocery store or around the dinner table with friends this week. That’s because, unlike other hallmark holidays of summertime—Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day—Flag Day isn’t always celebrated with grand gestures, gatherings, or… -
opinion
Identity Warriors Have Infiltrated the Sciences. Here’s the Damage They’re Doing.
In conversations with most college officials, many CEOs, many politicians, and race hustlers, it’s not long before the magical words “diversity” and “inclusiveness” drop from their lips. Racial minorities are the intended targets of this sociological largesse, but women are included, as well. This obsession with diversity and inclusion is in the process of leading… -
news
Chuck Grassley’s Amendment to Farm Bill Would End Subsidies for Off-Site ‘Farmers’
Say goodbye to a certain kind of extended family. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, wants to close loopholes in the farm bill to stop lining the pockets of remote landowners and guarantee that working farmers and their immediate families get the government subsidies they are eligible to receive. Grassley, in a speech Monday at The Heritage Foundation,… -
news
7 Things the Left Said Would Happen If We Ended Net Neutrality
The Federal Communications Commission’s short-lived “net neutrality” rules officially ended Monday, replaced by a measure the agency says will keep the internet open to all while protecting consumers. In a statement on its website, the FCC said the new regulations “will protect the open internet that consumers cherish while paving the way for better, faster, cheaper internet… -
opinion
Miss America: The Latest Institution Destroyed by the Left
As I have documented repeatedly, the left ruins just about everything it touches: the universities, the arts, the elementary schools and high schools, religion, sports, and ordinary, everyday interactions between human beings—especially human beings of different races. The latest examples—in just the last few weeks—are the Boy Scouts, sculpture, and the Miss America pageant. The…