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

Susan Collins’ finest hour

In a speech announcing her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, Sen. Susan Collins, Maine Republican, reminded me of some of the great orators of the past. Her speech was measured in tone, substantive in content and delivered with conviction.

October 8, 2018

A victory on trade

In baseball, when a team trades a player to another team each side expects a benefit in return. Not so in recent years when it comes to trade agreements between the United States and other countries.

October 3, 2018

Democrats want to keep another conservative off of the court

Who believes another FBI investigation of Brett Kavanaugh will be the end of it? If the FBI finds nothing to support Christine Blasey Ford's testimony that Judge Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a high school party, will it be enough for Democrats to vote to confirm him? Republicans say the investigation is limited to her charge and that of a third accuser, Julie Swetnick, whose allegations, detailed in a sworn affidavit, claim she was the victim of gang rape. How many more will come forward?

October 1, 2018

Judge Kavanaugh must confront the charges against him and add some passion, too

At times Brett and Ashley Kavanaugh sounded rehearsed and overly cautious in their "exclusive" interview with Fox News host Martha MacCallum on Monday night. Judge Brett Kavanaugh repeated verbatim lines about defending his character and allowing the "process" to play out. He said he would not withdraw in the face of unsubstantiated charges against him.

September 26, 2018

Ending the Judiciary circus

The Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus announced last year it was closing after a 146-year run, largely because of high operating costs, costly legal battles with animal rights groups and declining ticket sales, especially after elephants were retired from the show.

September 24, 2018

Democrats’ delay tactics

You have to hand it to the Democrats. They know how to use the media and the political process to gum up the works when it is to their advantage.

September 19, 2018

Democrats, determined to keep the Supreme Court liberal, employ outrageous tactics

The woman who alleged in a confidential letter that as a high school student in Maryland in the '80s Brett Kavanaugh "pinned her to a bed on her back and groped her over her clothes, grinding his body against hers and clumsily attempting to pull off her one-piece bathing suit and the clothing she wore over it" has now revealed her identity to (surprise!) The Washington Post.

September 17, 2018

A history lesson from Judge Kavanaugh

They don't teach history, at least American history, like they did when I attended public school. That's why the recent hearings on Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to become an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court served as a teachable moment.

September 12, 2018

Barack Obama’s arguments fall flat against Donald Trump’s successes

He's back! President Obama has emerged from his supposed cloistered life to attack President Trump. Mr. Obama broke with a tradition apparently only modern Republican ex-presidents follow, which is not to speak ill of your successor.

September 10, 2018

Eminently qualified Kavanaugh and embittered Democrats

Since Robert Bork's "borking" 30 years ago, Senate Judiciary Committee hearings for a high court nominee by a Republican president have become predictable.

September 5, 2018

To Democrats and the left, bipartisanship is when Republicans give in

In the days following the death of Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, there have been mournful cries lamenting the lack of bipartisanship for which his eulogizers and friends claim he stood.

September 3, 2018

The Catholic Church sex abuse scandal

Sexual scandals and inappropriate behavior are as old as the Bible. I give you (1 Corinthians 5:1) in which Paul writes: "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father's wife."

August 29, 2018