Political News
Reports on political developments, legislation, and leadership. The Daily Signal provides news and conservative analysis of American politics.
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- Opinion
Another Complete Unknown Is Pete Seeger’s Communism
Toward the end of “A Complete Unknown,” a good biopic about Bob Dylan that opened on Christmas, there is a key scene in which Dylan manager Albert Grossman barks at folk music legend Pete Seeger, “You’re pushing candles, and he’s selling lightbulbs,” to which Seeger retorts, “You’re the only one selling anything here, Albert!” The scene portrays the eve of the…Mike Gonzalez -
- Opinion
Toward a Political History of the Last 75 Years
New Year’s Day is a good time to take a long look backward with a cautious eye toward possible futures. My guide here is RealClearPolitics analyst Sean Trende’s 2012 book “The Lost Majority,” whose bold thesis was unduly neglected by political scientists spinning tales of a permanent New Deal Democratic majority. Trende’s thesis instead was…Michael Barone -
- Opinion
At Washington Post, Democracy Dies in Historical Revisionism With Whitewash of Failed Biden Presidency
In The Washington Post’s self-righteous telling, “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” It says so every day, right there below the paper’s masthead. But democracy also dies in historical revisionism, of the sort found Dec. 29 in the Post’s front-page lead story, directly below the masthead and across five columns, titled plaintively: “Joe Biden’s lonely battle to…Peter Parisi -
- Opinion
What’s Wrong With Democrats?
Following defeat in the presidential election, Democratic Party leadership is doing much-needed soul-searching. Those not in denial know there is something wrong. Per Gallup, in the 10 months in 2024 prior to the election, January to October, the Democrat partisan advantage—the percentage identifying as Democrat or lean Democrat minus the percentage identifying as Republican or…Star Parker -
- Opinion
New Year, Same as the Old Year
The Romans set January as the first month of the year. Originally, March had been the start of the new year. But the early Roman kings, before the republic, moved it to coincide with Janus, a two-faced god who looked backward with an old face and forward with a young face. Julius Caesar realigned Roman…Erick Erickson -
- News
What’s in Store in 2025 for US From China’s Military?
China’s communist secretary-general, Xi Jinping, turned down an invitation to attend the U.S. inauguration offered by President-elect Donald Trump. Meanwhile, between Dec. 9 and 11, the Chinese Communist Party sent the People’s Liberation Army in large numbers around Taiwan and into the Philippine Sea. As the Jan. 20 inauguration approaches, recent trends in military operations…Brent Sadler -
- Opinion
Here’s Why Joe Biden Gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to George Soros
President Joe Biden rewarded one of the Left’s most influential and notorious donors Saturday, giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom to George Soros. The White House announced the honor in a list of 19 recipients, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and LGBTQ megadonor Tim Gill. Biden framed Soros’ funding as philanthropy in service…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Make a Resolution to Fix Social Security
In the dreamlike days between Christmas and the regular work week’s return in the new year, it’s easy to believe all things are possible. Indulge in as much pie as you like—a resolution to eat healthier in 2025 will balance the scales. For most of us, this is harmless self-deception. Unfortunately, Congress has the same…Daniel McCarthy -
- News
Chief Justice Blasts Intimidation, Defiance of Judges in Year-End Report
“Four areas of illegitimate activity … threaten the independence of judges on which the rule of law depends,” U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts warned in his 2024 year-end report. He identified “(1) violence, (2) intimidation, (3) disinformation, and (4) threats to defy lawfully entered judgments” as the top behaviors that threaten to undermine the…Joshua Arnold -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: Fortune 500 Company Fires Christian for Not Aligning With ‘Core Values’ on LGBTQ Issues
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Russ Salerno lost his job at a Fortune 500 financial institution after several years because his employer concluded that his conservative Christian convictions “don’t line up” with the company’s “core values” on LGBTQ issues. Now, Salerno serves as the CEO of ProLifeFintech, an online banking company that launched in November. Salerno…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Meet America’s 6’6” Revolutionary War Legend You Never Knew About
Travis Bowman is a seventh-generation descendant of one of America’s most remarkable yet overlooked Revolutionary War heroes: Peter Francisco, known as “The Virginia Giant.” During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., Bowman visited The Daily Signal to share the incredible tale of Francisco’s life: from his mysterious beginnings in the Azores, to his kidnapping by…Robert B. Bluey -
- Opinion
Gun Control Is Racist
Media scream, “Too many people have guns!” Second Amendment activist Maj Toure says more people should carry guns. “Everybody should be walking around,” he says in my new video, “like, ‘Oh man, I left my gun in the house. Let me go back and get it.’ It should be as normal as a cellphone.” Activists…John Stossel -
- News
After Speaker Election, Johnson’s Right Flank Demands Action on Trump Agenda
Shortly after the reelection of Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., as speaker of the House on Friday, 11 Republican congressmen who were previously reluctant to vote for him signed a statement explaining their decision to save the GOP from a dysfunctional Congress. “We did this despite our sincere reservations regarding the speaker’s track record over the…George Caldwell -
- News
‘Border Was Not Biden’s Finest Moment,’ MSNBC Analyst Says
Over 10 million illegal aliens entered the U.S. under President Joe Biden’s leadership, a reality that even MSNBC has become critical of. “The border was not Biden’s finest moment, frankly,” economic analyst Steve Rattner said on MSNBC Thursday. Rattner, who served in the Obama administration, pointed to a large chart on MSNBC’s “Morning…Virginia Allen -
- News
‘RED FLAG’: Terrorist’s Mosque Points FBI to Islamic Group That Condemns Israel’s ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ in Gaza
Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, the man who drove a car into New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street after praising the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, had been a member of a Houston mosque where an imam claimed that Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler massacred Jews because they controlled the economy. Jabbar’s terrorist attack…Tyler O’Neil -
- News
Wisconsin to Probe How 193 Absentee Ballots Went Uncounted
The top election oversight body in the battleground state of Wisconsin kicked off 2025 by launching a bipartisan investigation of uncounted ballots in the state’s capital city. Election integrity advocates say that’s a good first step. The Wisconsin Elections Commission—equally split with Republicans and Democrats—voted 6-0 on Thursday to investigate why the city of Madison…Fred Lucas -
- News
Thune Officially Minted Senate Majority Leader, Promises to Keep Filibuster
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., took office as Senate majority leader Friday, telling fellow senators in his introductory speech that he would be a moderating force in government as Republicans attempt to pursue an aggressive agenda in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. Thune promised to protect the filibuster rule—which Trump has previously criticized—in order…George Caldwell -
- Opinion
Bourbon Street Massacre Is What ‘Globalize the Intifada’ Looks Like
As woke illiberalism replaced live-and-let-live liberalism as the animating ideology of the American Left, the state of Israel has increasingly found itself on the outs. Never mind that modern Israel was founded by, and for three decades politically dominated by, a bunch of left-wing socialists. Never mind that Harry Truman, an iconic liberal Democratic president,…Josh Hammer -
- News
In Shocking Turn of Events, Johnson Reelected House Speaker
This article has been updated since publication to reflect that two lawmakers changed votes. After what looked to be a loss, Mike Johnson has emerged the winner, successfully being reelected House speaker in a 218-215 vote. In a shocking twist, two Republican members who voted for other candidates changed their votes to Johnson. Three Republican…Jacob Adams -
- News
San Francisco Starts Ban on Cash Welfare for Drug Addicts Who Refuse Treatment
THE CENTER SQUARE—San Francisco started its ban on county-funded cash assistance for individuals with substance abuse disorders who refuse to engage in treatment. Measure F, approved by voters in March 2024, applies to the $714 per month payments to housed low-income adults, and $109 per month to homeless individuals who have been in San Francisco for more…Kenneth Schrupp