Political News
Reports on political developments, legislation, and leadership. The Daily Signal provides news and conservative analysis of American politics.
-
exclusive
EXCLUSIVE: How Trump Is Fighting Drug ’10 Times More Potent Than Fentanyl’
FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—President Donald Trump’s drug czar says she is working with the Chinese government to keep cychlorphine, a drug “10 times more potent than fentanyl,” off the streets. Cychlorphine has killed an estimated 140 Americans since it entered the United States in 2025, including 53 deaths in Tennessee alone. The actual number… -
opinion
Another Crisis?
“There is an epidemic of suffering!” says New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. “A mental health crisis!” says Vice President JD Vance. Alarmist media agree: “Mental health crisis among U.S. teens,” reports The New York Times. The Wall Street Journal: “America’s mental health is worsening.” As usual, when the media and politicians agree, the proposed solution… -
news
Texas Republican Urges Abbott to Rein in Governor’s Emergency Powers Before Hinojosa Takes Office
Summary Republican state Rep. Brian Harrison is calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to rein in executive emergency powers before Democrat Gina Hinojosa is sworn in. Harrison’s call came after Hinojosa was elected the next governor of Texas on Nov. 3. In Texas, the governor has broad authority to declare a state of… -
analysis
Iran War Was Seldom Mentioned by Virginia Republicans on the Stump
Virginia is proud to host the largest Navy base in the world. Naval Station Norfolk is home to 149,000 military-related personnel. There are 75 ships and 134 aircraft based there. Many of those sailors and pilots have been or may soon be deployed to the Persian Gulf region to take part in ongoing military actions… -
opinion
ESG ROI Exposes Corporate Socialism
Summary Environmental, social, and governance factors, including diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, continue to play a material role in corporate governance, reportedly driving trillions of dollars in investments. Shareholders and other corporate stakeholders likely assume these investments—such as net-zero commitments and employee resource groups that divide employees on the basis of race and sex—are subject… -
opinion
A Slippery Slope to Criminalizing Politics
Summary Politics has high enough stakes without the losers being sent to prison—or losing their heads. Jailing opponents or condemning them to death is what dictatorships do, not democracies. But times are changing, rapidly, and democracy isn’t what it used to be, thanks to a vengeful spirit that’s taken hold from Brazil to South Korea,… -
news
Senators Try to Slow GOP Leadership Vote
A handful of GOP senators are looking to slow their party’s leadership vote, scheduled for Tuesday, the Daily Signal can confirm. Majority Leader John Thune is currently running unopposed for minority leader, and Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming is expected to again seek election as the second-ranking Republican. The GOP conference is expected to… -
analysis
GOP Has Big Plans for Last Weeks in Majority
The GOP majority has much to accomplish before Democrats retake both chambers in January, but some Republicans fear there won’t be enough time or attendance to enact President Donald Trump’s priorities. The lame-duck session, the period after the midterms and before the next Congress begins, is Republicans’ last chance to pass measures such as the… -
breaking
BREAKING: Trump Picks New Chief of Staff
President Donald Trump announced that his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is leaving the Trump administration. She will be replaced by Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser. Miller has been a leader in Trump’s successful crackdown on illegal immigration. Wiles resigned last night, a White House official told the Daily Signal…. -
news
Newsom Moves to Spare 548 Death Row Inmates, Including Child Killers and Notorious Serial Murderers
Summary In a shocking decision, Gov. Gavin Newsom has commuted the death sentences of 548 death row inmates in California, including some of the most notorious killers in state history. In Newsom’s letter to Californians explaining his decision, he stated that he “firmly believes state sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values” and that “we… -
opinion
Victor Davis Hanson Exposes Oakland’s Lawlessness
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words” from Daily Signal senior contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to Hanson’s own YouTube channel to watch past episodes. Jack Fowler: Victor, let’s start talking about Oakland, which I know you’re very familiar with, and you probably had to dodge the bullets… -
news
Wittman, Perriello Issue Concessions in Congressional Races
Two of Virginia’s congressional elections were so close on election night that the trailing candidates chose not to issue concessions. Rep. Rob Wittman, the Republican who represents the 1st District, narrowly trailed Shannon Taylor. In the 5th District, Republican incumbent John McGuire had a narrow lead over Tom Perriello when he declared victory just after… -
opinion
The Stories That Made a Difference: Daily Signal’s Biggest Reporting Wins of 2026
From questioning the president to breaking exclusive stories and holding powerful institutions accountable, Daily Signal journalists are making an impact. Some stories report what happened. Others help make things happen. Throughout 2026, Daily Signal journalists have been breaking news, asking questions directly to the nation’s most powerful leaders, and uncovering stories Americans might otherwise never… -
news
Trump Defiant Amid Concerns AI Tipped Voters Toward Democrats
President Donald Trump reinforced his support for artificial intelligence Friday, even as polling indicates that concerns about the technology weighed heavily on voters in the midterm elections. “As President, I am 100% in favor of Super Intelligence (SI), and will work with the many States in the U.S. that want to become RICH by having… -
news
‘Retribution and Lawfare’: Democrats Eye Supreme Court Subpoenas and Probes
Leading Democrats have promised to investigate and issue subpoenas to Supreme Court justices, and they will be in a position to do just that when they assume the majority in Congress in January. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., expected to become chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, previously said he and Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., expected… -
analysis
What Conservatives Are Planning After Midterm Defeat
Summary Conservatives are wasting no time regrouping after this year’s midterm election setbacks. Next week, hundreds of movement leaders will gather in a Washington, D.C., suburb to plot their comeback in 2028. The inaugural event, called The Forum, will bring together disparate segments of the conservative movement for an honest reckoning about Tuesday’s results. Policymakers… -
news
Democrat Facing Felony Charge Flips GOP House Seat in ‘Blue Tsunami’
A Democrat facing a felony charge flipped a North Carolina seat blue in the 2026 midterm “blue tsunami.” LaKesha Womack is set to be sworn into the 120th Congress in January, unseating first-term Republican Rep. Tim Moore in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District. Womack unexpectedly beat Moore by just over 2 percentage points in North… -
opinion
Securing America’s Economy: Secretary Scott Bessent to Speak at Forum 2026
Days after the midterm elections, conservatives will gather just outside Washington, D.C., for The Forum 2026 to debate where their movement goes next. Hosted by The Heritage Foundation, The Forum 2026 will welcome Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as a featured speaker. Bessent will be joined by other leaders, including commentator Scott Jennings, television personality… -
news
CAIR Closes Up Shop in Florida After Federal Court Defeat
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has suspended operations in Florida after a federal court rejected its request to block the state’s designation of the organization as a domestic terrorist group. Earlier Thursday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted on X: “This morning, a federal court upheld Florida’s Domestic Terrorist Organization law and rejected CAIR’s attempt… -
opinion
Victor Davis Hanson: Trump’s Second Term—the Counterrevolution Explained
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. This video was recorded before Tuesday’s midterm elections. Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson for the Daily Signal. In an earlier video, I talked a little…