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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

It's All About the Votes Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Trump-McConnell feud may produce results

That was some chaotic scene in the White House Rose Garden Monday. After lunch with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, President Trump assured combative reporters and the country that the two are getting along just fine, in spite of the Senate's failure to repeal and replace Obamacare and an uncertain future over tax reform, the other Republican signature issue party members promised to get done.

October 18, 2017
Vice President Mike Pence speaks on behalf of Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie during a campaign rally at the Washington County Fairgrounds Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Abingdon, Va. Establishment figure Gillespie is in a neck-and-neck race against Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam. (Andre Teague/The Bristol Herald-Courier via AP)

Trump heads, Pence tails

If a metaphor could be used for this White House, it might be a two-sided coin with President Trump as heads and Vice President Mike Pence as tails.

October 16, 2017
University Snowflake Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Prohibiting debate leads to fascism

If it were a plague, the government would rush to quarantine the infected, as occurred during Europe's Black Death in the 14th century.

October 11, 2017
Illustration of Harvey Weinstein by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Harvey Weinstein gets bipartisan criticism

Ancient wisdom from a Higher Authority, which is available to anyone who takes the time to consider it, was provided to constrain people like Harvey Weinstein from acts he has been accused of committing.

October 9, 2017
A wounded person is walked in on a wheelbarrow as Las Vegas police respond during an active shooter situation on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Multiple victims were being transported to hospitals after a shooting late Sunday at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. Photo by Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via Associated Press

Las Vegas shooter took evil path

Responding to the recent Las Vegas concert shooting that killed more than 50 people and injured hundreds more, President Trump described the act as one "of pure evil."

October 4, 2017
They Killed the Goose Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Taking the knee takes the fun out of football

If you like professional sports, a major reason -- perhaps the reason -- you attend games or watch them on TV, is that it helps you escape from whatever occupies your mind the rest of the week. You certainly don't want the issues of the day encroaching on your enjoyment.

September 27, 2017
Illustration on the Vietnam War The Washington Times

‘The Vietnam War’ examines history of Southeast Asian conflict

Filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick have performed a vital public service in making their documentary "The Vietnam War" for the Public Broadcasting Service. Given the division that war caused in America, it is a pretty fair chronicling of the way things were a half-century ago. The film brought back a lot of mostly bad memories to people of my generation.

September 25, 2017
One of 35 immigrants from 23 countries awaits the start of the naturalization ceremony that will transform them into American citizens at Northeast Jackson International Baccalaureate World Middle School in Jackson, Miss., Monday, Sept. 18, 2017. The immigrants underwent an extensive security check as well as study and testing on U.S. history, civics and government, as part of the requirements to earning citizenship documentation. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Americans ignorant of civics

At a National Archives ceremony last Friday in Washington, D.C., 30 immigrants became naturalized U.S. citizens. In a video, President Trump encouraged them to embrace the "full rights, and the sacred duties, that come with American citizenship."

September 18, 2017
Illustration on Trump's recent deal with congressional Democrats by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Donald Trump’s deal with Democrats throws everyone off

What just happened? President Trump cut a deal with Democrats to pay for hurricane damage relief and raise the debt ceiling without getting anything in return, except the temporary avoidance of a government shutdown. How to describe this? Was it a sellout, or a pragmatic act?

September 13, 2017
Illustration on corruption in Italy's support of refugees by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Mafia preys on migrants

I spotted them on my way to dinner with a friend near Castel Gandolfo. They are migrants from Africa, sitting by the side of the road outside a "temporary" residence that, for many, appears to have become permanent. They all have cellphones. They all seem oblivious to us as we pass by.

September 11, 2017
Illustration on Tayyip Erdogan's incremental Islamicization of Turkey by Kevin Kreneck/Tribune Content Agency

Turkey’s choice: The past or the future?

Coming from the airport into this city of about 15 million people and 5 million cars, as my driver describes it, I pass ancient Roman ruins and blocks of upscale shops; an old hotel where Agatha Christie penned "Murder on the Orient Express," smoke shops and modest restaurants, and luxury car dealers.

September 4, 2017

Armageddon postponed

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un appears to have blinked and President Trump can claim a foreign policy victory and justification for his strategy.

August 30, 2017
Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Pardoning Sheriff Arpaio

President Trump's pardon of Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., has drawn predictable responses. The left, which long ago exceeded its sell-by date when it comes to ideas that work, denounced the decision as racist (that's all they have) and a perversion of justice. Some moderates, like Sen. John McCain and Sen. Jeff Flake, both Arizona Republicans, Speaker Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, and former Florida Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, joined the critics.

August 30, 2017
The Bottomless Pit of Afghanistan Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Afghanistan war may be unwinnable

President Trump is not the first U.S. leader to pivot when it comes to foreign policy. His speech Monday night before American military personnel at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., was in stark contrast to his campaign pledge to put "America first" and his promise to avoid "foreign entanglements," as George Washington put it in his Farewell Address.

August 23, 2017
Illustration on removing Confederate statues and monuments by Mark Weber/Tribune Content Agency

Culture wars distract from nation’s real problems

We will learn even less from history if we wipe it clean, as some are trying to do by removing statues of Confederate leaders whose beliefs about slavery and race most, including me, find offensive. Conversation beats censorship.

August 21, 2017