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
Debunking 4 Big Errors Made in Lawsuit to Stop Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order
One of the most controversial of the executive orders signed by President Donald Trump in the hours after being sworn in was his order on birthright citizenship. That order directed federal agencies to stop issuing citizenship documents for children born in the United States unless at least one parent was a citizen or lawful permanent…Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
Unlikely Bedfellows, DeSantis and Teachers Union Agree on Smartphones
What do the nation’s largest teacher union and the country’s most conservative governor agree on? Smartphones—specifically, keeping them out of the classroom. In 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made his state the first to prohibit students from using cellphones during instructional time. Policymakers in other states quickly followed, including South Carolina, Indiana, and California. Now,…Jonathan Butcher -
- News
47 of the Best Signs at the 52nd March for Life
Thousands of Americans rallied in support of the unborn Friday, marching from the National Mall to the Supreme Court in the 52nd annual National March for Life in Washington, D.C. Students, families, and church groups from across the country braved the cold for the third march since the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Vice President…Moira Gleason -
- News
A New Age Begins
Donald Trump is now officially the 47th president of the United States. Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 was marred by violence from the Left; it was also surreal. The media were utterly shocked by Trump’s victory—Trump himself seemed shocked, too—and that disbelief translated into four years of extraordinary efforts to deny that Trump had indeed…Ben Shapiro -
- Opinion
‘Dark Money Cabal’: Pulling the Tentacles of Wealthy Woke Off Your Government
“Follow the money.” It’s one of the age-old principles of investigative journalism because it can lead to the discovery of a “dark money cabal,” as it did for author Tyler O’Neil. After years of reporting on the organizations and people who funnel money into leftist causes, O’Neil determined that “their nefarious influence” needed to be…Virginia Allen -
- News
How Biden’s Pardons Normalize Abuse of Power
As expected, Joe Biden handed out 10-year blanket pardons to his corrupt family, which had profited in the millions from influence-peddling schemes. The venality is breathtaking. The corruption is one thing. But pardons he gave government officials like Mark Milley, Anthony Fauci, Bennie Thompson, Liz Cheney, and others have created an unprecedented moral hazard that…David Harsanyi -
- Opinion
New Year, New President Bring New Opportunities as Americans Gather for Annual March for Life
This year, the thousands of Americans flooding Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life have a lot be excited about. And for good reason: The Biden-Harris administration is out and the Trump-Vance administration is in. On Thursday, President Donald Trump pardoned 23 pro-life activists who had been imprisoned due to the Biden administration’s aggressive…Melanie Israel -
- Opinion
The Unhinged, Petty, and Vindictive Left
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. Donald Trump won the 2024 election in part because the Left’s hysterical style of attacking him no longer worked. After a decade of this unhinged…Victor Davis Hanson -
- News
‘Strong and Clear Message’: Illegal Aliens Deportation Flights Begin
“Deportation flights have begun,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X Friday morning above two photos of a line of illegal alien men preparing to board a large military plane. “President [Donald] Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of…Virginia Allen -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Ricketts to Introduce Bill to Protect Dignity of Aborted Unborn Babies
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Sen. Pete Ricketts will introduce a bill to require abortionists to treat deceased unborn babies with dignity. “A few years ago, the remains of over 2,200 aborted babies were discovered at an Indiana abortionists’ home,” Ricketts, R-Neb., told The Daily Signal. “It’s horrifying that human remains would be treated like common medical…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
- News
New Bill Would Codify Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Executive Order Into Law
Rep. Brian Babin has introduced a bill that would end automatic birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents of illegal aliens. Automatic birthright citizenship, regardless of parent’s legal status, is “one of the abused aspects of our immigration system,” Babin, R-Texas, told The Daily Signal. Babin introduced the bill Tuesday, just one…Virginia Allen -
- News
Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Executive Order
THE CENTER SQUARE—A federal judge Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s recent executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants. Trump signed the executive order earlier this week, and almost immediately a coalition of nearly two dozen states filed a series of lawsuits to block the order. “The president’s executive order attempting…Casey Harper -
- News
Can Brent Bozell and Kari Lake ‘Make Media Great Again’ at Broadcast Agencies?
Four years ago, immediately upon taking office, President Joe Biden told the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media to resign or be fired. Biden’s request, which Michael Pack honored at 2 p.m. Jan. 20, 2021, demonstrated his administration’s urgency to reassert control over the federal agency that operates government-funded media outlets broadcasting internationally. …Fred Lucas -
- News
New Policy Bars Pride, BLM Flags From US Embassies
President Donald Trump hasn’t wasted any time implementing his agenda. Since Day One, he’s signed numerous executive orders, and he continues to take action that fulfills promises he made during his campaign. An example of this momentum is the “One Flag Policy,” which has been adopted by the U.S. Department of State. A notable aspect…Sarah Holliday -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: GOP Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect Parental Rights
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Sens. Tim Scott and James Lankford, along with Rep. Virginia Foxx, introduced legislation to uphold parental rights in education, childrearing, and health care. “Parents have a fundamental right to control the upbringing of their child, whether it’s in the classroom or at home,” Scott said in a statement first shared with The…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
- News
Rep. August Pfluger: What ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ Can Do for You
“Energy security is national security.” If you spend enough time with Rep. August Pfluger, you might get tired of hearing him repeat those words. The Texas congressman and new Republican Study Committee chairman would be the first to say that if you aren’t tired of hearing it, Republicans haven’t been saying it enough. Sound energy…Bradley Devlin -
- Opinion
Clemency and Capital Crimes: Biden’s Travesty of Injustice
Two days before Christmas 2024, President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of 40 federal death row inmates. Five of these had murdered children; several had murdered multiple people and on separate occasions. Among those whose death sentence was commuted was Thomas Sanders, who on Sept. 8, 2010, in Louisiana kidnapped a 12-year-old girl,…J. Daryl Charles -
- Opinion
The Truth That Cannot Be Born
As I prepare to go to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday, some questions linger in the back of my mind: Why is abortion even such a big political war? Why are we arguing over something where if one side is wrong they’re actually defending the murder of children? It seems indefensible…Christina Haurie -
- Opinion
The End of ESG
“Sustainability” investments became popular a few years back. So-called experts said companies shouldn’t just focus on profit. They should put more effort into being “nice.” Funds pushing ESG, or environmental, social, and governance, were all the rage. Giant investment firms like BlackRock pressured companies to hire more women and minorities. CEO Larry Fink announced, “All…John Stossel -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: Mike Lee to Introduce Bill to Repeal Law Weaponized Against Pro-Lifers
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Sen. Mike Lee will reintroduce a bill Thursday to repeal the FACE Act, which has been weaponized against at least 50 pro-life advocates. “[Former President] Joe Biden’s unjust weaponization of the FACE Act against pro-life activists and people of faith belongs in the dustbin of history,” Lee, R-Utah, told The Daily…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell