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Cal Thomas

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Cal Thomas

Cal Thomas is one of the most widely syndicated political columnists in America. Based in Washington, he is a wide-ranging social commentator, not a "beltway insider," who supports traditional conservative values and the American "can-do spirit." He'll take on virtually any topic, from the decline of the family to growing terrorism worldwide.
A syndicated columnist since 1984, he is the author of “America’s Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires, Superpowers and the United States” (HarperCollins/Zondervan, January 2020). His latest book is “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen in 50 Years Reporting on America” (Humanix Books, May 2023). Readers may email Mr. Thomas at tcaeditors@tribune.com.

Columns by Cal Thomas

Congress Dealing with the Debt Crisis Illustration by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Campaign promises keep rerunning while debt keeps rising

When I was younger, so much younger than today (credit the Beatles for that lyric from "Help"), television networks reran programs that had originally been broadcast the previous fall and spring.

August 10, 2026

Socialism's followers illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Testimonies from people who have lived under socialism

It has become a truism that people who are embracing socialism have never had to live under it and its ideological twin, communism.

August 5, 2026

Peace negotiations with Hamas illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Trump’s Hamas ‘deal’ rests on dangerous wishful thinking

The Trump administration has announced that a "deal" has been reached between the terrorist group Hamas, which has occupied the Gaza Strip for years, and Israel that will lead to Hamas' disarmament.

August 3, 2026

Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee at the Capitol, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Fauci diary shows consequences of giving ego free rein

From a baby's first cry to our deaths, we carry an ego.

July 29, 2026

President Donald Trump speaks at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, Friday, July 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump’s insulting, embarrassing White House Correspondents’ Association dinner performance

President Trump's performance at the retooled White House Correspondents' Association dinner Friday made me nostalgic for the days of Vice President Spiro Agnew.

July 27, 2026

U.S. Senate candidate Troy Jackson takes part in a debate at the WCSH-6 television studio, Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Chameleon hypocrite Troy Jackson no improvement over Graham Platner

Troy Jackson, the Maine Democratic Party's prospective nominee for the U.S. Senate, is Graham Platner lite.

July 22, 2026

The lure of socialism

Lamenting Elon Musk recently becoming a trillionaire, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat, said: "Elon Musk has more money and more wealth than anyone in human history."

July 21, 2026

Illustration on Socialist ideological impact on America by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Democratic Socialists of America declare war on the Constitution

The oath is familiar. The president and vice president take it, as do members of Congress and many other high government officials.

July 20, 2026

Illustration on U.S. spending by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Government just keeps spending

French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr knew what he was talking about when, in 1849, he coined the phrase "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

July 15, 2026

America's moral confusion illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

America cannot survive without moral boundaries

People of a certain age were taught by their parents and grandparents to respect the police and obey the law and other rules and regulations.

July 13, 2026

Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks to a reporter at his home, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in Sullivan, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Graham Platner exposes agendaless Democrats’ larger leadership problem

The troubles that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner is facing (he may have withdrawn by the time you read this) are only a small part of his party's larger problem.

July 8, 2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, speaks to supporters for Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier during an election night watch party Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Mamdani’s twisted view of America

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered a Fourth of July message that sounded as if America is on its deathbed.

July 6, 2026

Illustration on liberty and freedoms by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

America at 250: Declaration’s self-evident truths need defending again

Two hundred and fifty years ago, self-evident truths meant something.

July 1, 2026

Sacramento council member Mai Vang, who is running for Congress, speaks at her election night party in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday,, June 2, 2026.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Far-left candidates expose Democratic Party’s radical turn

After primary elections last week in which the rise of Democratic Socialists of America candidates alarmed many longtime Democrats, House Speaker Mike Johnson read a list of things he said those far-left candidates stand for.

June 29, 2026

Anti-socialist and anti-communist movies illustrations by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

The anti-socialists strike back

Those of a certain age, meaning roughly 65 or older, will recall the "Bicentennial Minute."

June 25, 2026

President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

Iran deal all about Trump, not the greater good

President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance spent most of last week trying to convince Americans that the memorandum of understanding with Iran is a good deal for the United States and world peace.

June 22, 2026

President Donald Trump and Iran illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Trump’s Iran agreement a bad deal for the civilized world

President Trump's interim peace deal with Iran, which has partially opened the Strait of Hormuz and sent oil prices tumbling (but not yet gas prices), may be good for the short term (i.e., midterms).

June 17, 2026

Workers erect scaffolding in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign, in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Is removal of Trump’s name from Kennedy Center a metaphor?

In what could be a metaphor for things to come, workers removed President Trump's name from the Kennedy Center in Washington.

June 15, 2026

CBS News' "60 Minutes" illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

‘60 Minutes’ controversy shows media’s selling something the public’s not buying

Journalist David Brinkley once observed: "Objectivity is impossible to normal human behavior. Rather, we should strive for fairness."

June 10, 2026

Graham Platner, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, speaks to an overflow crowd outside a campaign event Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Lessons from Graham Platner

How can Graham Platner, who might win the Democratic nomination for senator from Maine in Tuesday's primary election, ever be seriously considered for such a job?

June 8, 2026