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Cal Thomas

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Cal Thomas

tcaeditors@tribune.com

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

Illustration on the continuing social and legal struggle over the definition of marriage by Paul Tong/Tribune Content Agency

Legitimizing polyamorous relationships in the courts

A judge has now ruled that in a tenancy case, "it's possible for two men to both claim partnerships with a third man -- and that the man whose relationship is being questioned should have a chance to prove his claim in court."

October 10, 2022

Vice President Kamala Harris talks to students in a political science class on the campus of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Hurricane Kamala

The next time a hurricane develops it should be named Kamala, in honor of our vice president. Why Kamala, you ask? Because, like a hurricane, the damage she causes can be substantial.

October 5, 2022

Illustration on the spread of antisemitism by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Free speech vs. banning Jews

The University of California, Berkeley is known for many things, some good and some very bad, even outrageous.

October 3, 2022

Far-Right party Brothers of Italy's leader Giorgia Meloni shows a placard reading in Italian "Thank you Italy" at her party's electoral headquarters in Rome, early Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. Italians voted in a national election that might yield the nation's first government led by the far right since the end of World War II. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Giorgia Meloni baloney: She’s no ‘right-wing extremist’

Italy has elected its first female prime minister.

September 28, 2022

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy introduces the House GOP's "Commitment to America," at a gathering at Ductmate Industries, Friday, Sep. 23, 2022, in Monongahela, Pa. (Pam Panchak/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) ** FILE **

Contract with America: The sequel

House Republican leaders have announced a plan they are calling a "Commitment to America" in time for the November election and presumably the presidential contest two years from now.

September 26, 2022

Illustration on the Supreme Court by Linas Garsys/The Washington times

Justice Kagan reminds Americans that the ideological and political war rages on

Supreme Court justices return to work next month following a tumultuous last session in which the majority issued some controversial rulings, most notably the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

September 21, 2022

Immigrants gather with their belongings outside St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022, in Edgartown, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday flew two planes of immigrants to Martha's Vineyard, escalating a tactic by Republican governors to draw attention to what they consider to be the Biden administration's failed border policies. (Ray Ewing/Vineyard Gazette via AP)

Biden’s border is not closed

The saying "the chickens have come home to roost" seems to apply to the immigration policies of the Biden administration, sanctuary cities and states.

September 19, 2022

Féilim Mac An Iomaire stands next to a billboard he paid for in Dublin, Wednesday June 1, 2011. Tens of thousands of Irish people are leaving their debt-shattered land because they can't find work. But one frustrated job hunter, 26-year-old Féilim Mac An Iomaire, has shouted no _ and captured the nation's imagination with an inventive PR offensive that highlights his plight. "SAVE ME FROM EMIGRATION," reads Mac An Iomaire's billboard in the heart of Dublin, the focal point for a novel social media-driven campaign that highlights his eight-month search for work and desire to stay in Ireland. The effort has cost him about €2,000 ($2,800) _ and given him a priceless global spotlight for his skills as a marketer and deal-maker. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Another Irish exodus: Cost of living for many is outpacing growing prosperity

Americans are not the only ones suffering from high fuel and food prices, along with rapidly increasing costs for housing and rising mortgage rates.

September 14, 2022

What Made the Queen Elizabeth II Great Illustration by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

The reach of Queen Elizabeth II

Watching BBC and Sky News coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, one is struck by the adjectives used by reporters, commentators and people interviewed outside Balmoral castle and Buckingham Palace.

September 12, 2022

Illustration on problems in California by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

California green dream could become a nightmare

"Well, they're out there a-having fun In that warm California sun" - (1964 song by The Rivieras)

September 7, 2022

Shrinking Republican Red Wave Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Is the ‘red wave’ fading?

When a Republican "wave" appears likely, the media begin reporting "stories" that the wave is receding, and the Democrat is gaining ground.

September 5, 2022

In this Sept. 1, 2021, file photo, Virginia Republican lieutenant governor candidate Winsome Sears addressing the Virginia FREE Leadership Luncheon in McLean, Va. Sears, Virginia's lieutenant governor-elect, is a compelling speaker on the campaign stump. But she's glad the speechmaking is over and the work is beginning. She'll be getting to work in January when she is sworn in as the first Black woman to hold statewide office in Virginia. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Winsome Sears: Actually winsome, but also tough

The definition of winsome is "sweetly or innocently charming: winning, engaging."

August 31, 2022

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks during a news conference announcing the Department of Education report on education Thursday, May 19, 2022, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) ** FILE **

Will Youngkin be a 2024 presidential candidate?

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has been in office only seven months and already he is listed at number five in a Washington Post story about possible 2024 GOP presidential candidates.

August 29, 2022

Illustration on the flat tax by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Revisiting the flat tax and eliminating the IRS

The next time Republicans control all three branches of government, they may wish to visit an old idea -- the flat tax.

August 24, 2022

Illustration on IRS tax preparation by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Washington’s guns buildup and the IRS

Conspiracy theories sometimes have at least a thread of truth in them, which is what makes them valid to some on the far right.

August 22, 2022

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., surrounded by House Democrats, signs the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 during a bill enrollment ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Democrats’ ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ won’t reduce inflation

President Biden returned from vacation to sign the misnamed "Inflation Reduction Act." He might as well have said in his mischaracterization of the legislation that the chief business of America is now government spending and increased debt.

August 17, 2022

Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at the Justice Department Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Is Merrick Garland serious about Donald Trump?

The specter of armed federal agents outside former President Donald Trump's Florida home is not an image I suspect many of us are comfortable with.

August 15, 2022

Illustration on David McCullough by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

McCullough’s history is never boring

I hated college history. The textbooks were mostly about dead white men, with the exception of Abigail Adams. The lectures were boring. I didn't see how any of it related to my young life and future plans.

August 10, 2022

Illustration on parents pulling their children from public schools by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

More parents removing their children from public education

As parents prepare to send their children back to school, many will have made decisions about their child's education that will not only put them on a different trajectory but also impact the public education system.

August 8, 2022

Illustration on Soros funded prosecutors by Alexander Hunter/The Washington times

George Soros and his ‘woke’ prosecutors

George Soros has written a column for The Wall Street Journal defending his donations to liberal prosecutors who are releasing criminals on low or no bail.

August 3, 2022