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
A Great GOP Convention—But With One Big Missed Opportunity
I have attended about a half-dozen national conventions, Republican and Democratic, and watched at least a dozen more. And I can say two things: 1) They have all generally bored me. 2) The 2024 Republican National Convention didn’t. The RNC not only held my interest, it often moved me emotionally. If you weren’t moved to tears by…Dennis Prager -
- Opinion
It’s Too Late, Joe
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden’s letter announcing that he is standing down from the general election documented all the reasons the incumbent had to go. But it’s too late, Joe. Your legacy is lost. Biden should have announced he was not running for reelection a year ago—or, at the very least, before he blew the June 27…Debra Saunders -
- Opinion
‘NO SENSE’: Sloped or Not, No Reason Why Roof Shouldn’t Have Been Secured, Sheriff Says
It makes “absolutely no sense” that the roof of the building from which the gunman fired was not secured by the Secret Service, Dodge County, Wisconsin, Sheriff Dale Schmidt told The Daily Signal in an interview discussing the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Following the attempt on Trump’s life during a campaign rally…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
Are We on Verge of Stagflation?
Editor’s note: The following is a lightly edited transcript of the accompanying video from professor Peter St. Onge. Two of America’s biggest banks just warned of incoming disaster. Even poker-face Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is starting to crack, sprinkling his usual sweet nothings with warnings that the Fed’s close to being forced to restart…Peter St. Onge -
- Opinion
Why I Started a Digital Platform for Young Conservatives to Take on the Left
In the back seat of a Toyota Sienna headed north through the winding roads of the Blue Ridge Mountains, I rapidly bought an internet domain name and a WordPress subscription. I then furiously began constructing a website on my iPhone 12 Mini—a task not for the faint of heart. On this vacation with my family…Bradley Haley -
- News
23 Takeaways From Secret Service Director’s Testimony Before House Oversight Panel
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle testified before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, in the wake of the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Numerous lawmakers—from both sides of the aisle—have called for Cheatle to resign after a gunman fired multiple shots at Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, about…Virginia Allen -
- News
Taliban Could Abscond With Hundreds of Millions in US Aid to Afghanistan, Watchdog Finds
DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—An “increased risk” exists that at least $293 million in U.S. aid disbursed by the State Department in Afghanistan between March and November 2022 could fall into the Taliban’s hands, a new report finds. Two subagencies of the State Department—the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Bureau of International Narcotics…Robert Schmad -
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EXCLUSIVE: Top Pediatrician Promoting Trans Procedures for Texas Kids Now High Ranking NIH Official
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The chief pediatrician at Texas Children’s Hospital resigned in April 2022 after just seven months in her role, shortly after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott forced the hospital to pause attempted sex-change procedures on children, such as puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries. Now she’s working for President Joe Biden’s administration in a…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
The Chosen One
I think it was 2019 when I first interacted with Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio. I had just finished my judicial clerkship and begun my career in media. JD, just a few years older than me, was already a bestselling author and a tech venture capitalist. We were both interested in some of the energetic and…Josh Hammer -
- Opinion
Republicans Need to Prepare for the Left’s Next Move
Donald Trump has a lot of things to celebrate this week, but a foregone conclusion in November isn’t one of them. Joe Biden is down in the polls and losing the unwinnable war against time’s toll. But Biden is nothing if not tenacious, and the president has a trick ready to turn Trump’s latest triumph—…Daniel McCarthy -
- Opinion
A Republic If You Can Keep It, by the Grace of God
Our republic averted a national catastrophe by one inch: The tilt of former president Donald Trump’s head, an imperceptible difference in the wind, a slight shake in the nervous hand of the would-be assassin. Change any one of these factors and our country and the world would never be the same. We should all…Preston Brashers -
- Opinion
Why Would Any Legit Dem Presidential Prospect Jump Into This Mess?
The Left’s efforts to push a fragile Joe Biden out of the presidential race are probably hitting an apex around now, as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly showed up at the old man’s house to “forcefully” ask him to pack it up. Many Democrats are now looking around for political saviors. I’m not sure…David Harsanyi -
- Opinion
Never Confuse Incompetence for Malice
A man can sleep better at night thinking evil men in charge have a plan than realizing incompetent idiots with no plan are in charge. Many Americans have resorted to conspiracy theories because they will not process that idiots are in charge in a confluence of random events who make matters worse through their gross…Erick Erickson -
- Opinion
America Can’t Have Greatness Without Goodness. And There Is No Goodness Without God.
America is great because America is good. If America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great. Those words often attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville (though in truth their origin remains much murkier) cut right to core of what makes America great: her goodness. But today, too many Americans reject the very idea…Zack Smith -
- Opinion
Radicals Double Down on Gender Ideology at the UN Human Rights Council
The U.N.’s new “SOGI czar” delivered his first report to the UN Human Rights Council, which just concluded its meeting in Geneva. A SOGI czar is their independent expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Graeme Reid, who hails from South Africa, is a professor of Women’s, Gender,…Grace Melton -
- News
7 Takeaways From Night 4 of Republican National Convention
Delegates celebrated happily Thursday night as they waited during the Republican National Convention to hear Donald Trump accept his party’s nomination for the third time—only five days after he was nearly killed by an assassin’s bullet. Before Trump’s widely anticipated speech to close out the big event, though, the crowd inside Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Trump’s Deregulatory Promises, Past and Future
This week, Donald Trump officially becomes the Republican nominee. Soon, he is likely to again be president, according to the most accurate predictions, which come from people who put their money where their mouths are—people who bet. They currently give Trump a 67% chance of winning. President Joe Biden’s chances have fallen below 20%. This…John Stossel -
- News
‘Jewish Values Are American Values,’ Harvard Grad and Former Democrat Tells GOP Delegates
He is suing his alma mater for permitting and perpetuating antisemitism on campus, a Harvard University graduate said Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention. Shabbos Kestenbaum, a first-generation American and Orthodox Jew, told delegates from the convention stage that after Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks Oct. 7 inside Israel, he placed 1,200 Israeli and American…Olivia Pero -
- Opinion
GOP in Milwaukee: Happy Days Are Here Again
MILWAUKEE—Within a veritable armed camp—surrounded by steel fences, concrete barriers, and severely well-armed law enforcement officers—Republicans are having a Grand Old Party on the shores of Lake Michigan. Milwaukee’s denizens have been cheerful hosts, eager for their political and journalistic guests to savor their excellent beer, barbecue, and beautiful buildings. From tax-reform debates to the…Deroy Murdock -
- News
Sen. Menendez Reportedly Confirms Resignation in Wake of Bribery Conviction
DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey reportedly confirmed to Democratic lawmakers he will resign from his position following his conviction in a federal bribery trial, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. The senator, a former Democrat who recently became an independent, was convicted Tuesday on all 16 counts of his involvement…Hailey Gomez