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Cal Thomas

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

State of President Trump illustration by The Washington Times

State of the Union: President Trump celebrated all he and Republicans have accomplished

The president's State of the Union speech Tuesday night resembled a campaign rally. Some Republicans shouted "four more years" as he approached the lectern. Democrats mostly looked glum, shook their heads, pursed their lips, laughed in response to some of his remarks and in the case of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared to be talking to herself.

February 5, 2020
Allegations Against Trump Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

After President Trump impeachment acquittal, what’s next?

Just because the Senate is about to acquit President Trump of charges Republicans believed never rose to the level of "high crimes and misdemeanors," don't think Democrats will raise the white flag of surrender. They (and their media allies) have only just begun.

February 3, 2020
Democratic presidential candidate former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks to reporters after a campaign event, Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

U.S. election campaigns resemble endless wars

The campaign process begins with candidates establishing "exploratory committees" during which the "explorer" speaks about carefully poll-tested subjects and repeats them ad nauseum, while fundraising and appearing on TV.

January 27, 2020
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., second from right, gives pens to, from left, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., after she signed the resolution to transmit the two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate for trial on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. The two articles of impeachment against Trump are for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

House impeachment will be a ‘permanent stain’ on Democrats’ legacy

The contrast could not have been starker. One picture showed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smiling as she signed (with numerous pens) two articles of impeachment against President Trump. The other picture was of President Trump signing phase one of a new trade deal with China.

January 20, 2020
In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani speaks in a public gathering at the city of Yazd, some 410 miles (680 kilometers) southeast of the capital Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. (Office of the Iranian Presidency via AP)

Add Iran’s leadership to ash heap of history

Addressing the British Parliament in 1982, President Ronald Reagan outlined a plan for placing the Soviet Union and Marxism-Leninism on the "ash heap of history." It is an objective President Trump might pursue against the mullahs in Iran, who are subsidizing terrorism in the Middle East and threatening to export it elsewhere.

January 6, 2020
Illustration on the turning of the decade by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

It’s worth looking back on life in America 100 years ago

It can be useful and instructive to observe the turning of a decade by looking back on what life was like in America a mere 100 years ago. On Jan. 2, 1920, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 108.76. Today it is over 28,000 points.

January 1, 2020
Socialism: Failures Forgotten Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Socialism’s cynical appeal

Like swallows returning to Capistrano, socialism makes an appearance on a regular cycle. The current presidential campaign features self-confessed socialist Bernie Sanders, Vermont independent, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat, who doesn't self-describe as a socialist, but whose policies closely resemble those of Mr. Sanders.

December 25, 2019
Gifts for a Service Family Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Grieving at Christmas

"It's the most wonderful time of the year," Andy Williams reminds us over tinny speakers in crowded shopping malls.

December 23, 2019
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, and U.S. President Donald Trump pose during a group photo during a NATO leaders meeting at The Grove hotel and resort in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg rejected Wednesday French criticism that the military alliance is suffering from brain death, and insisted that the organization is adapting to modern challenges. (Peter Nicholls, Pool Photo via AP)

Is U.K. election a prediction for 2020 U.S. presidential race?

"Blowout" was how one U.K. newspaper described the decisive victory of Boris Johnson and his Conservative Party in last week's election. Not only did conservatives win an 80-seat majority in Parliament, a constituency in Blythe Valley in Northeast England elected a conservative member for the first time since its creation 40 years ago.

December 16, 2019
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, center, and Navy Adm. Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, look on as an Air Force carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Navy Seaman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, of St. Petersburg, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. A Saudi gunman killed three people including Haitham in a shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Saudi sympathies ring hollow after Pensacola shooting

President Trump says he spoke with Saudi Arabia's King Salman Al-Saud after the killings, and that the king expressed his sincere condolences and has promised to compensate relatives of the dead and those who were wounded in the attack, but that's not enough.

December 11, 2019