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

Trump: Not a great man

Donald Trump is not a great man. His rhetoric, which has included denunciations of those who have served in the military (while he dodged the draft five times with a limp excuse about bone spurs), ought to disgust all but those who are in complete denial of the danger he would pose to the Constitution and the country should he be elected president again. Humility is not part of his vocabulary, and words mean something, especially when they reflect character. Published October 4, 2023

Some honest talk about immigration

With pictures showing -- and Border Patrol agents confirming -- that tens of thousands of migrants are crossing into the U.S. every day without authorization, it is a lie to say the border is secure. Published October 2, 2023

Both parties will be blamed if the government shuts down

Common sense and sanity are not the first words that come to mind when dealing with congressional spending. Published September 27, 2023

Rupert Murdoch deserves the gratitude of conservatives

At 92, Rupert Murdoch remains very much alive, and his influence, not only on Fox News but on much of journalism, will likely continue for some time. Published September 25, 2023

What happens if transition to EVs doesn’t curb global warming?

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has rejected appeals from the Conservative Party to extend the deadline for requiring all new car sales in the United Kingdom to be electric by 2030. Published September 20, 2023

Sex and the city: Republican politicians edition

The Republican Party, the party that for years has styled itself as the party of "family values" and "traditional marriage," has lost all credibility on these issues. Published September 18, 2023

Chicago Teachers Union president’s hypocrisy on school choice

There was a time in bygone America when calling someone a hypocrite or claiming they were guilty of hypocrisy was equivalent to branding them with a scarlet letter or the mark of Cain. Published September 13, 2023

What to do about the crime wave? Swift and certain punishment

Of all the explanations for the rise in crime in America, none may be more accurate than the lack of swift and certain punishment. Published September 11, 2023

Getting the Saudi-Israeli peace formula wrong — again

If one is mixing chemicals, getting the formula wrong can produce disastrous results. Published September 6, 2023

Climate science has degenerated into a discussion based on beliefs

It's been a good summer for climate activists who are pushing the false narrative of "climate change." Published September 4, 2023

Illegal immigration: A key campaign issue for the 2024 presidential field

It can be difficult to establish the motives of government leaders unless they are told to us outright or unless a pattern of behavior allows us to draw conclusions consistent with that behavior. Published August 30, 2023

Force-feeding school children to comply with the state’s secular worldview

It was just a matter of time before choice became mandatory. Published August 28, 2023

Nails on a chalkboard: Biden’s disastrous trip to Maui

Anyone who has cringed at the sound of fingernails scratching on a chalkboard has likely experienced the same feeling whenever President Biden speaks. Published August 23, 2023

Questions I would ask the GOP presidential candidates

Wednesday night's debate in Milwaukee for Republican presidential candidates will be more of a Q&A session than a classic debate, but that's OK. Published August 21, 2023

Indoctrination is driving some families away from public schools

As millions of children return to public school, it's a good idea to again examine what they are being taught and what is being left out. Published August 16, 2023

Biden’s bad Iranian deal

The Biden administration is transferring $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets in South Korea to an account in Qatar, which Iran will be able to access, in what appears to be an attempt to get Iran to release five imprisoned Americans. Published August 14, 2023