Political News
Reports on political developments, legislation, and leadership. The Daily Signal provides news and conservative analysis of American politics.
-
news
California Was Once the American Dream. Now It’s Ranked the 3rd Worst State to Move To
For generations, California represented the American dream—a place where families moved in search of opportunity, good-paying jobs, and a better life. Today, the Golden State is earning a very different reputation. For 2026, California has been ranked the third-worst state to move to, according to Consumer Affairs’ annual state rankings, placing behind only Louisiana and… -
news
‘Death Knell’: Biden DOJ Retaliated Against DEA Agent Who Tried to Stop Flood of Fentanyl, Attorney Says
The Biden Justice Department retaliated against the Drug Enforcement Administration agent who exposed an operation allowing hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to enter the United States, the whistleblower’s lawyer said. DEA Special Agent David Howell, working in New Mexico, objected to the process of allowing the highly lethal drug to enter the country, arguing… -
news
Graham Platner Suspends Campaign, but What’s Next?
On Wednesday evening, Graham Platner suspended his campaign as the Democrat nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine. He had faced a growing number of scandals and loss of support, with the final straw coming Tuesday when an ex-girlfriend claimed Platner broke into her home and raped her. “I think as many of you know,… -
opinion
The Ungrateful Urban Class Turning Into the New Democratic Socialist Party
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. Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson for the Daily Signal. Who are these Democratic Socialists of America that are so frequently mentioned in the news? Are they traditional European socialists? Are… -
opinion
Mamdani Erases Little Italy … and (Of Course) the Jews
Not having Little Italy on a map of ethnic enclaves in New York is like leaving the Golden Gate Bridge off a list of bridges in San Francisco. And yet that is precisely what the Ugandan-born socialist mayor of New York has done. Zohran Mamdani’s Office of Immigrant Affairs released a map on Wednesday titled… -
analysis
How a Pro-Reality Sports Brand Aims to Compete With Transgender-Aligned Nike
XX-XY Athletics, a sportswear company championing women, aims to compete against the brand behemoth Nike, which XX-XY accuses of failing to stand up for women by pushing transgender ideology. “My goal is to have a successful business that actually truly stands out for female athletes—not that does it in a fake way, like Nike, where… -
news
Ilhan Omar Aims at Repealing Alien Enemies Act, Blocking Military Force Against Designated Terrorist Organizations
Democrat Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar is seeking to amend the National Defense Authorization Act a resolution desiring to block the Trump administration from using military force against congressionally designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, such as foreign drug cartels. A press release from Omar’s office claims her amendment, Amendment #1273, “expresses the sense of Congress that designation… -
news
Planned Parenthood Plans to Spend Big in 2026 to Keep Accessing Your Tax Dollars
Planned Parenthood Votes, the political arm of the nation’s largest abortion provider, plans to spend $47 million on the midterm elections, targeting members of Congress who voted to cut funding for the organization. That’s a significant price to gain access to taxpayer dollars, said Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee. “It’s… -
news
Old-School Democrat? Socialist Candidate Says He’s ‘Not Your Guy’
Michigan, the next battlefield in the Democrat civil war, saw a Senate primary debate on Tuesday night. And one candidate is telling “establishment” Democrats that he’s “not your guy.” Abdul El-Sayed, endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, attempted to advance his campaign against Rep. Haley Stevens, backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, by… -
opinion
While Europe Reminisces About the Good Old Days, It’s Being Destroyed From Within
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: I’m gonna bring up this Wall Street Journal, first of two major articles, are the United States and Europe… -
news
Graham Platner Ends Senate Campaign, Forcing Democrats to Pivot in Crucial Maine Race
Democrat Senate candidate Graham Platner of Maine on Wednesday promised to formally withdraw from the race after a string of controversies, including an accusation of sexual assault, plunged one of the most competitive races in the 2026 midterm elections into turmoil. The suspension by the former U.S. Marine, announced in a video posted on social media, is… -
news
Maine Democrats Want Their Nominee Out. There’s Just One Problem.
The Maine Democratic Party is working “around the clock” to replace Graham Platner, but as the Democrat Senate nominee, he has leverage—and he’s using it. A civil war is brewing in Maine. As calls continue for Platner to step down, he has stayed silent and continues to deny multiple allegations of sexual assault. According to… -
opinion
Victor Davis Hanson: Europe’s Fall to a Second-Class Continent
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. Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson for The Daily Signal. Europe is upset. They’re very angry. They’re always angry, but the last two weeks they seem to be particularly angry. There are reports at… -
opinion
Trump v. Pope Leo XIV? Where Do Washington and Rome Go From Here?
The following is an excerpt of Daily Signal Politics Editor Bradley Devlin’s interview with Paul Kengor, editor of The American Spectator and author of the new book “American Pontiff,” for the “Signal Sitdown,” which premieres on the Daily Signal’s YouTube page at 6:30 a.m. EDT on July 8. This transcript has been edited for clarity…. -
news
New Report Raises Questions About Industry Influence on SAVE America Act Fight
As the U.S. Senate struggles to pass the SAVE America Act, a new report documents millions of dollars in campaign contributions flowing to Republican senators from industries opposed to stricter immigration enforcement policies. The American Accountability Foundation, in partnership with the Mass Deportation Coalition, examined donations from construction, hospitality, agriculture, and senior-housing organizations, which they… -
analysis
How Long Can Graham Platner Make Demands?
The scandals involving Graham Platner, still the Democrat nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, continue. Nevertheless, Platner looks to be making demands. On Tuesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Platner should “step aside.” Platner has until next Monday to decide. Otherwise, his name remains on the ballot. Despite declining support from his once top supporter,… -
news
‘Double Standard of Justice’: Grassley Reveals Messages on Jack Smith’s Team and Classified Materials
Newly released messages appear to show that Biden Justice Department officials, including those working for former special counsel Jack Smith, possibly mishandled classified information. Smith’s team investigated President Donald Trump, then out of office, from late 2022 through 2024, for alleged mishandling of classified material. Smith also investigated Trump for his conduct in challenging the… -
news
Trump Says Interim Accord to End Iran War Is ‘Over,’ Warns of New US Strikes
REUTERS—President Donald Trump said an interim agreement to end the war with Iran was “over” and that the United States was likely to launch new strikes on Wednesday night following Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf. In a flare-up of hostilities that pushed up oil prices, Iran said on Wednesday it had targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain… -
news
Numbers Show How Trump VA Is Performing for Veterans Compared to Biden, Obama Eras
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced it cut the backlog of veterans waiting for compensation and pension benefits by 74% since President Donald Trump started his second term. Under President Joe Biden’s administration, the backlog of veterans on a waiting list for benefits spiked by 24%. However, the backlog dropped to fewer than 70,000 veterans… -
news
Bernie Moreno Has Had Enough of Cincinnati’s DEI: ‘Must Be a Better Steward of Public Funds’
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, is taking issue with a new policy adopted by the Cincinnati City Council, the DEI Procurement Ordinance, calling it “potentially illegal and wasteful” in a July 2 letter to Democrat Mayor Aftab Pureval. Moreno went into detail about the waste involved, writing that “the DEI Procurement Ordinance expands an already bloated…