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
Conservative Leaders Are Right: The UP-NS Rail Merger Is a Bad Idea
For more than a decade, American politics has undergone a decisive shift thanks to President Donald Trump. This shift places the economic interests of middle- and working-class families squarely at the center of national policy. Early in his tenure, Trump issued an executive order directing the federal government to eliminate regulations that deny consumers the…Jason Chaffetz -
- Opinion
Virginia: A New Extreme in Gerrymandering
This year’s midterm elections aren’t just about who wins in November; they’re about who wins fights over gerrymandering taking place right now. Nowhere is the battle fiercer than in Virginia, a state where voters just six years ago approved a constitutional amendment to take partisanship out of congressional redistricting. Now Democrats want to make an…Daniel McCarthy -
- Opinion
Will Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Abortion and ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ in 2026?
On July 4, American taxpayers are set to resume funding one of the nation’s largest providers of so-called “gender-affirming care” for children, which also just happens to be the nation’s largest provider of abortion. If that’s not a killjoy for America’s 250th birthday, I don’t know what is. Last year, President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) defunded…Hannah Lape -
- Opinion
The Laffer Curve Is Even Better Than We Thought
The field of economics fully developed scientifically in the 20th century. The names John Maynard Keynes, Milton Friedman, and Friedrich Hayek come to mind. However, one additional man became the one most referenced in the last part of the 20th century and continues as such today. That man is Arthur Laffer. The Joint Committee on…Bruce Bialosky -
- News
What Lawmakers Say About Virologist Calling Out Fauci, NIH on COVID-19
Remarks from a virologist calling out former National Institutes of Health leaders—Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci—have sparked renewed interest on Capitol Hill about the government’s handling of COVID-19. Virologist Simon Wain-Hobson, a professor at the Paris-based Institut Pasteur, accused Fauci and Collins of “professional failure” in the COVID-19 pandemic and the lead-up to…Fred Lucas -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: Senator Urges Trump to End Program That Gives US Jobs to Foreign Graduates
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Sen. Rick Scott is urging the White House to end the Optional Practical Training work permit program, which incentivizes employers to give jobs to foreign students. “The OPT program should not exist; it is a purely regulatory creation with no statutory basis,” the Florida Republican wrote in a letter obtained by…Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
- News
‘HUMILIATING DEFEAT’: UK Prime Minister Pulls Deal to Sacrifice Islands Housing Key US Military Base
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pulled the deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands—home to the pivotal U.K.-U.S. military base Diego Garcia—from the United Kingdom to Mauritius, after President Donald Trump fiercely opposed the measure. While the U.K. and Mauritius signed a preliminary deal in May 2025, it still required parliamentary approval, and…Tyler O’Neil -
- News
Federal Judge Rejects Challenge to Trump’s Fast-Track Immigration Policy
The Trump administration scored a court win on Friday as a judge ruled the administration can fast-track immigration cases. Immigration advocates sued the Trump administration last month, arguing that the asylum process should take “years” to conclude and that lawyers want “at least a year” to prepare for court hearings while applicants remain in the…Fred Lucas -
- News
As House Returns Next Week, Giant Tasks Loom
When Republican leaders return to Washington, D.C., on Monday after a two-week recess, they will face a series of Herculean tasks in the House of Representatives: uniting their razor-thin majority behind efforts to fund the Department of Homeland Security and passing an agreement on federal surveillance powers. The Future of Funding The Department of Homeland…George Caldwell -
- Opinion
Trump’s War on the Deep State Is Paying Off
The days of peak DOGE may be over, but Trump’s quiet transformation of the federal bureaucracy continues. The Trump administration shrank the federal workforce to its smallest number since the launch of LBJ’s Great Society. This incredible stat, little remarked upon by the media, was dredged up by X user Christian Heiens. “Since Trump took…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Louisiana Senate Primary Tests Power of Trump Endorsement
The three-way Louisiana GOP Senate primary is at a standstill. Even with President Donald Trump’s early endorsement, a runoff looks likely. The president passed over two-term incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and gave his coveted endorsement to Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La. The Louisiana primary is set for May 16. A crowded ballot makes it likely…Virginia Grace McKinnon -
- News
White House Has a Message to Cool Inflation Worries
New Department of Labor statistics indicate inflation rose sharply amid the United States’ military campaign against Iran, but the White House argues the rise in costs will only be temporary. “President [Donald] Trump has always been clear about short-term disruptions as a result of Operation Epic Fury, disruptions that the Administration has been diligently working…George Caldwell -
- News
Another LGBTQ Controversy? Trump Admin Asked to Investigate Maryland School District
A conservative legal group wants the Trump administration to investigate the gender identity policies of a Maryland school district that lost a Supreme Court case last year over mandating LGBTQ+ books for students. America First Legal asked the Justice Department and the Education Department to investigate Montgomery County Public Schools, alleging that the school district…Fred Lucas -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: Freedom Caucus Takes Strong Stand on Amnesty
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Members of the House Freedom Caucus say they are going to reject any legislation they see as granting mass amnesty to illegal aliens. In statements made to The Daily Signal on Wednesday, three members of the caucus said they will not allow such a bill to be enacted. The members specifically called…Pedro Rodriguez -
- Opinion
Victor Davis Hanson: Why Trump Grew Frustrated With Pam Bondi
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words” from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to Victor Davis Hanson’s own YouTube channel to watch past episodes. Jack Fowler: Pam Bondi has been given the boot as attorney general. Do you have any thoughts on that, Victor? Victor Davis Hanson: Well, I don’t know…Victor Davis Hanson -
- News
‘DEFINITION OF JIM CROW’: Republican Turns the Tables on Democrats’ Redistricting Rhetoric
While Democrats have recently branded voter ID requirements as a form of “Jim Crow,” a black Republican former delegate in Virginia is flipping the script in condemning state Democrats’ redistricting ballot initiative. Under Virginia’s current congressional map, adopted after the 2020 census, two districts have a majority-minority voting age population. However, the Democrats’ proposed redistricting…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Despicable: Judge Declares Accused Killer ‘Incapable’ Despite Decades of Crimes
Another day, another example of how the Left’s view of justice is toxic to a free society. A state court on Tuesday pronounced DeCarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of killing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in a random knife attack on a North Carolina train, “incapable to proceed” until a psychiatric evaluation is complete. From my…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Spanberger Is ‘Taking Credit’ for Youngkin’s Economic Deals
Virginia Democrat Gov. Abigail Spanberger is celebrating massive statewide investments and job growth in Virginia, but critics say the state’s former governor deserves the credit. This week, Spanberger announced signing multiple business investment bills into law that will bring a total of $7.1 billion and 3,250 jobs to the state. She said in a news…Virginia Grace McKinnon -
- News
As Trump Seeks Iran Deal, Congress Wants Say on Foreign Policy
As President Donald Trump seeks a deal to end the conflict with Iran and curtail the nation’s nuclear ambitions, some in Congress are trying to assert their power over the executive branch. On Thursday, House Democrats attempted to advance a War Powers Resolution that would restrain the president’s ability to use force against Iran. Rep….George Caldwell -
- News
EXCLUSIVE: Roy Introduces Bill to Designate CAIR as Hamas Affiliate
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—A new House bill would designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations and its affiliates as specially designated global terrorists (SDGTs). The Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act of 2026, introduced Thursday by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, aims to block CAIR’s assets and prohibit Americans from dealing with the organization. “CAIR is…Pedro Rodriguez