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
Supreme Court Explains Contours of Sixth Amendment’s Right to Counsel in Villarreal v. Texas
The Sixth Amendment has long guaranteed a criminal defendant the right “to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.” But what does that right entail in practice—particularly when a defendant takes the witness stand in his own defense? And by taking the witness stand, what limitations, if any, exist with respect to his right… -
news
Who Is Iran’s Next Leader?
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead, and there is no clear successor to take his place. “The supreme leader made sure there was never any sort of heir apparent,” Victoria Coates, former deputy national security adviser to President Donald Trump, explained to The Daily Signal. The Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979… -
news
EXCLUSIVE: Alternative Pediatrician Org Urges Doctors to Reject Transgenderism
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The American College of Pediatricians is launching an initiative to encourage doctors to reject transgender procedures for minors. The American College of Pediatricians, the socially conservative alternative to the American Academy of Pediatrics, launched the “Doctor, Heal Thyself” initiative, which aims to advance biologically grounded pediatric care in response to major… -
opinion
United States v. Hemani: SCOTUS to Hear Arguments in Important Second Amendment Case
As the Supreme Court returns to hearing oral arguments this week, it will take up a technical—yet consequential—criminal law case. In United States v. Hemani, the justices will consider whether 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which bars anyone “who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” from “possess[ing] … any firearm or… -
news
‘YOUR DAY WILL COME’: Democrat Vows Retribution Against ICE While Sponsoring Bill to Block Agents From Getting Jobs
The White House has joined with the top Republican in the Colorado House of Representatives in condemning bills seeking to prevent any Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent from joining state and local police, and to make ICE agents liable for alleged violations of constitutional rights. “ICE officers are facing a 1300% increase in assaults because… -
news
US Will Take Action to Mitigate Oil Price Spike for Americans, Rubio Says
REUTERS—The United States will take action to mitigate rising energy prices due to a spike in the price of oil caused by the Iran conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Rubio said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Energy Secretary Chris Wright would announce the plans on Tuesday. “Starting tomorrow,… -
news
US Tariff Lawsuits Returned to Trade Court to Determine Next Steps
REUTERS—A U.S. appeals court on Monday returned the lawsuits that led to most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs being struck down to the U.S. Court of International Trade, which could determine the process for refunding more than $130 billion to importers. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a one-page order granting the… -
news
War Powers Showdown: House and Senate Vote on Operation Epic Fury
Both the House and Senate have lined up votes on war powers resolutions in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement of Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Each chamber has its own resolutions. Prior to Trump’s decision to strike Iran, the previously introduced resolutions were heading toward a vote. But the ongoing operation against Iran has… -
news
Trump Clarifies Objectives in Iran Operation
President Donald Trump clarified that his objectives in Iran are to destroy the country’s missile capabilities, “annihilate” its navy, prevent the regime from developing nuclear weapons, and stop its arming of terrorist groups around the world. “We have the strongest and most powerful, by far, military in the world, and we will easily prevail,” Trump… -
news
‘FIND THE COURAGE’: Roy Calls on Congress to Pass Immigration Moratorium After Austin Shooting
In the wake of a shooting in Austin, Texas, by a man investigators believe could be an Islamic terrorist, House Republicans have renewed efforts to pass a bill that would pause all federal immigration programs. Early Sunday morning, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne allegedly opened fire at an Austin area bar while wearing a hoodie that read… -
news
Justices Invoke Founders’ Drinking Habits in Weighing Gun Ban for Drug Users
Most justices appeared skeptical of a federal law banning gun possession for illegal drug users and addicts during Supreme Court arguments Monday. Intermingling gun rights and the war on drugs, the case has put the ACLU and the National Rifle Association on the same side, while President Donald Trump’s Justice Department is defending the existing… -
news
Small Georgia Town Is at the Center of Latest ICE Fight
Democrat lawmakers in Georgia have proposed legislation to prevent taxpayer money from being used to build U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in the state. Georgia state Sen. Jaha Howard introduced the bill in response to ICE’s reported plans to build facilities in Social Circle and Oakwood. He was joined by state Sen. RaShaun Kemp and South Fulton City Councilwoman Helen Zenobia Willis to announce the legislation. “We are here because of a proposal of a 10,000-bed detention facility… -
news
Terrorist Threat in the US: ‘Stay on High Alert’
A chief concern following the launch of Operation Epic Fury is Iranian-backed terrorist cells in the United States, security experts are warning. It is impossible to know who crossed the border during the four years of the Biden administration, “but we do know there were a number of folks on the terrorist watch list,” said… -
news
Why Is Virginia’s Redistricting Referendum on Pause?
A fight over Virginia’s congressional maps is heating up, with Republicans and Democrats locked in a legal battle that could reshape the state’s representation in Washington. Virginia voters were originally scheduled to head to the polls on April 21 to decide on a referendum on new congressional maps as the state’s Supreme Court reviewed a legal challenge…. -
opinion
It’s Official: Illegal Alien-Loving Dems Cannot Stand American Citizens
President Donald Trump could not have made it easier for congressional Democrats. During Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, Trump’s simple offer to them, and their Republican counterparts, was like a college professor telling his students: “Anyone who wants 10 points of extra credit, please stand up if you believe the Earth is round.”… -
news
Rubio to Brief ‘Gang of Eight’ Monday on Iran
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is briefing congressional leaders today on Iran, an administration official told The Daily Signal. The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran early Saturday morning in Operation Epic Fury. Trump characterized it as the beginning of “major combat operations.” Trump confirmed that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed following… -
news
Hegseth: Iran Strikes ‘Not Iraq,’ ‘Not Endless’
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dismissed concerns of a protracted nation-building exercise in Iran, arguing the military’s strikes there serve America’s interests. “To the media outlets and political Left screaming, ‘Endless wars,’ stop. This is not Iraq, this is not endless. I was there for both. Our generation knows better and so does this president,”… -
news
EXCLUSIVE: Major Pro-Life Group Endorses Ohio’s Jon Husted for Senate
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America has officially endorsed Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, in his bid to retain his U.S. Senate seat. According to a press release first shared with The Daily Signal, that support comes in the form of $3.25 million for 500,000 visits to Ohio voters before Election Day. There… -
opinion
Virginia’s Largest Public School District Is Unraveling
Fairfax County Public Schools is no longer a district in quiet decline—it is a system in visible retreat. Fairfax Schools experienced the largest decline in student enrollment of any district in the state from 2015 to 2025, according to University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Policy. While neighboring districts such as Loudoun County… -
opinion
Virginia Democrats Backtrack on Affordability Promises
Newly elected Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, used the national spotlight for the State of the Union response to make affordability promises. By Friday, Virginia Democrats had shot down a policy that would put more money back in Virginians’ pockets. “I am working with our state Legislature to lower costs and make the commonwealth more affordable,…