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

Illustration on Democrats and congressional spending by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

An old national debt carries over to a new year

"Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt." -- Herbert Hoover Published December 28, 2022

A video of then-President Donald Trump speaking is displayed as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. (Alex Wong/Pool Photo via AP)

American voters need to be the judge and jury when it comes to Trump’s future

In a theatrical performance, the worst thing that can happen is a predictable outcome. Published December 26, 2022

The Gift of Christmas Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Rejecting the false god of politics this Christmas season

"Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing" (Psalm 146:3-4 NIV). Published December 21, 2022

FILE - Migrants wait to get into a U.S. government bus after crossing the border from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. The mayor of the Texas border city declared a state of emergency Saturday, Dec. 17 over concerns about the community's ability to handle an anticipated influx of migrants across the Southern border. El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser issued the state of emergency declaration to allow the city to tap into additional resources that are expected to become necessary after Title 42 expulsions end on Dec. 21. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez, File)

Uncontrolled immigration without assimilation dilutes America

Biden administration has virtually eliminated any barriers to keep migrants and fentanyl from pouring into the U.S. Published December 19, 2022

Illustration on problems in New York City by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

I (used to) love New York: The once great city is gone

I was a teenager when I first visited New York. The flight cost $15 on the Eastern Airlines shuttle from Washington. You could buy your ticket from a flight attendant on board. Published December 14, 2022

FILE - Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., arrives for a meeting of the Senate Homeland Security Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Aug. 3, 2022. The decision by Sinema to leave the Democratic Party raised the prospect of a tumultuous three-way race in one of the most politically competitive states in the U.S. It set off a scramble among potential Democratic and Republican candidates to assess whether they could win their party’s nomination. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Sinema quits the Democratic Party after combating extremism and defending what’s normal

Leaving aside any possible undeclared motives for leaving the Democratic Party, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona has said some things that have needed to be said for a long time. Published December 12, 2022

Mainstream news media bias illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

The New York Post’s real journalism and major media’s lack of accurate reporting

In years past, when journalism was trusted by consumers much more than it is today, the New York Post might have been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for its reporting about Hunter Biden's laptop. Published December 7, 2022

Illustration on Democrats and congressional spending by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Only thing Democrats and Republicans can agree on is spending money

There is little that Republicans and Democrats in Congress agree on these days, but spending (and borrowing) money is as nonpartisan as it gets. Published December 5, 2022

Cal Thomas on C-SPAN (screenshot)

On turning 80 and working as long as my strength endures

A TV ad for a dietary supplement features a woman who says, "Age is just a number, and mine is unlisted." Published November 30, 2022

FILE - Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, holds a TEC-9 semi-automatic weapon during a hearing of the committee on Capitol Hill, Aug. 3, 1993, as the committee holds hearings on combating the proliferation of assault weapons. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma, File)

Biden’s misplaced emphasis on assault weapons

We know at least one of the priorities of the Biden administration in the remaining weeks that Democrats control the House of Representatives. Published November 28, 2022

Illustration on Thanksgiving by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Thanksgiving according to whom?

One definition of "thanksgiving" is this: "Public celebration acknowledging divine favors." The word implies an object to whom thanks should be given. Published November 23, 2022

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., smiles as he speaks to reporters following a closed-door policy meeting on the Democrats' lame duck agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Flip-flop Schumer on illegal immigration, then and now

If an awards show were created to honor Washington politicians for the most hypocritical and contradictory positions, Sen. Charles Schumer, New York Democrat, would be among the top contenders. Published November 21, 2022

Former Vice President Mike Pence sits for an interview with the Associated Press, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Can Mike Pence be elected president in America’s toxic environment?

If former Vice President Mike Pence is ever in need of a character witness, he could not do much better than one statement former President Donald Trump made to him. Published November 16, 2022

Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally in support of the campaign of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Toxic Trump must leave the stage

Former President Donald Trump appears ready and eager to announce another run for president. Perhaps it should be on the grievance or revenge ticket. Published November 14, 2022

John Fetterman and midterms election illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Republicans’ ‘sure thing’ election fizzles out

If Republicans could not score their "red wave" victories predicted by many pundits - and even some Democrats - in these midterm elections, what's next for them? Published November 9, 2022

Illustration on Republicans' "Commitment to America" by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Republicans must ignore the media and do what they are elected to do

Assuming the polls are right, Republicans will take over the House of Representatives by a large margin following Tuesday's election and possibly even the Senate. Published November 7, 2022

Rolling the Brazil Politics Dice Illustration by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

What the election in Brazil can teach America

Liberalism, even socialism extending in some countries to communism, continues to spread in South and Central America. Why? Published November 2, 2022

CORRECTS LOCATION OF DEATH TO DESOTO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI - FILE - Jerry Lee Lewis performs onstage in New York on Sept. 26, 2006. Spokesperson Zach Furman said Lewis died Friday morning, Oct. 28, 2022, at his home in DeSoto County, Miss., south of Memphis, Tenn. He was 87. (AP Photo/Dima Gavrysh, File)

Jerry Lee Lewis: Last man no longer standing

He called himself "the last man standing," a reference to the rock 'n' roll icons of which he was among the most notable. Jerry Lee Lewis died last week at age 87. Published October 31, 2022

Illustration on American education by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Cheating the children while endangering America’s ability to compete on the world stage

While President Biden is trying to win a court victory for his student debt forgiveness proposal, he should be focusing instead on the latest dreadful report by the NAEP. Published October 26, 2022

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Robstown, Texas. (AP Photo/Nick Wagner)

Trump: You are not a dictator

Former President Donald Trump says any member of his administration who runs for president against him -- should he decide to run again in 2024 -- would be engaging in an act of disloyalty. Published October 24, 2022