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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

President Donald Trump talks as he signs an executive order giving federal recognition to the Limbee Tribe of North Carolina, in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Trump’s revenge: Successfully breaking government gridlock

One of the things that frustrates so many people about Washington is its dysfunction. We are paying more and getting less.

January 29, 2025

FILE - President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Trump’s first week shakes Washington with blitz of policy actions

The standard by which modern presidents have been judged is the first 100 days. Forget that. Mr. Trump has done more for good, and some will argue for the ill, than maybe any president in his first week in office.

January 27, 2025

Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Presidential pardons raise questions about political accountability and family favoritism

Pardons were flying all over Washington on Monday like a flock of birds or airplanes during peak hours at Reagan Airport.

January 22, 2025

President Donald Trump speaks in Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Al Drago/Pool Photo via AP)

Trump’s second inaugural address marks shift from ‘American carnage’ to optimism

According to the Frank Sinatra song, "Love is lovelier, the second time around." We'll see how that works out in the second coming of Donald. J. Trump, now president of the United States for a second time.

January 20, 2025

President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Will Trump be able to accomplish all he has promised?

Who remembers Donald Trump's first inaugural address? Probably not very many, unless they have Googled it, as I did.

January 15, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom, center, surveys damage in Pacific Palisades with CalFire's Nick Schuler, left, and Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., during the Palisades Fire Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)

Democrats deflect blame for Los Angeles County’s wildfires

When a politician says "don't politicize" a significant event like the fires that have swept Los Angeles County, it's a good bet they are attempting to shield themselves from their inaction.

January 13, 2025

Illustration on bad teachers by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Dumbing down New Jersey schools

Among the many laws that took effect at the beginning of the new year is one in New Jersey that will astound and should anger people with children in the state's public schools.

January 8, 2025

Illustration on prison reform by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Prison and sentencing reform: Saving money in an overlooked place

According to The Sentencing Project, 72.1% of federal prisoners are serving time for a nonviolent offense and have no history of violence. More than half are for drug offenses.

January 6, 2025

FILE - President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter chat with Rev. Charles Trentham as they leave the First Baptist Church in Washington on March 20, 1977. (AP Photo/Charles W. Harrity, File)

Jimmy Carter’s application of his faith disappointed many Christian conservatives

When Jimmy Carter began attending the First Baptist Church in Washington after becoming president, I thought it a unique opportunity to better understand his faith.

January 1, 2025

Predicting 2025 from 1925 illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Lessons of 1925: Learning from the past and not predicting the future

Political and other prognosticators are busy predicting the future, as usual.

December 30, 2024

Protecting the lives of murderers and not babies illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Biden protects the lives of murderers, but not babies

As if his 1,500 pardons weren't enough to cause outrage, President Biden has gone further. Near the expiration of his presidency, Mr. Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row.

December 26, 2024

Christmas' gifts from Congress and pork spending illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Christmas’ gifts from Congress are choking America’s future

When Washington politicians speak of a Christmas tree this time of year, they are not referring to an actual tree. It means they've loaded up a bill with another kind of "green."

December 23, 2024

Abortion versus saving the lives of babies and their mothers illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Saving the lives of babies and their mothers is the ultimate gift

In past years, I have suggested going beyond Christmas and other holiday gifts that will soon be forgotten, returned or worn out in favor of one that will last for generations to come.

December 18, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris, left, speaks with President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Committee's Holiday Reception at Willard Hotel in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Biden admin’s scorched-earth tactics raise concerns before Trump transition

The soon-to-expire Biden administration is behaving as if an invading foreign power were about to take over and the house must be burned down to keep the "invaders" from succeeding.

December 16, 2024

No peace on earth illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Penny’s acquittal and killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO: No peace on earth, no goodwill

Before this time of year was hijacked by secular progressives as "the holidays" in deference to everyone -- except the ones who have a real reason for the season -- it was called Christmas.

December 11, 2024

The Ford Pardon of Nixon Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Preemptive pardons would violate our Constitution

Media reports say President Biden is about to issue a slew of preemptive pardons for people associated with his administration to thwart any "revenge" the incoming Trump administration might take against them.

December 9, 2024

Illustration on Joe and Hunter Biden by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Hunter Biden’s pardon

Clearly, President Biden didn't mean it last June when he responded to a question from David Muir of ABC News about whether he would pardon his son Hunter.

December 4, 2024

Illustration on reform efforts in government agencies by Linas Garsys/The WAshington Times

Government institutions should not have eternal life

New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote something last week that gets to the heart of why Democrats, especially, but also some Republicans, fear a second Trump administration.

December 2, 2024

Thanksgiving history illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

The evolution of Thanksgiving

The annual American holiday called Thanksgiving formally began with an 1863 proclamation from Abraham Lincoln.

November 27, 2024

Fluoride and toothpaste illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Is fluoride good or bad? The science just keeps on changing

Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo has joined Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in opposition to fluoride in the water supply.

November 25, 2024