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). Readers may email Mr. Thomas at tcaeditors@tribune.com.

Columns by Cal Thomas

Illustration on national partisan polarization (Republicans and Democrats) by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Not a dime’s worth of difference between America’s political parties

When he ran for president a second time in 1968 on the American Independent Party ticket, Alabama Gov. George Wallace said there is "not a dime's worth of difference" between the Democratic and Republican parties. Published May 10, 2023

In this image taken from video released by Kaplan Hecker & Fink, former President Donald pauses during his Oct. 19, 2022, deposition for his trial against writer E. Jean Carroll. The video recording of Trump being questioned about the rape allegations against him was made public for the first time Friday, May 5, 2023, providing a glimpse of the Republican's emphatic, often colorful denials. (Kaplan Hecker & Fink via AP)

Disciples crown Trump no matter his character

The crowning of Charles III as king of England and the shrinking realm of the United Kingdom was not the only coronation taking place in the world. Published May 8, 2023

Illustration on Joe Biden's immigration law decision making by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

How many more migrants can the U.S. take?

That loud clucking sound we are hearing from "sanctuary cities" and other cities run by Democrats is the consequence of lax immigration policies coming home to roost. Published May 3, 2023

Illustration on raising the debt ceiling by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

The debt limit: Same old song

The very term "debt limit" makes a mockery of any kind of responsible budgeting. Published May 1, 2023

Israel illustration by Linas Garsys

Israel at 75: Survival and prospering of the Jewish state is a miracle

"Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures" (Psalm 90:10). Published April 26, 2023

Demonstrators holding flares invading the Euronext Paris building in protest to the pension reforms at La Defense business district in Paris, Thursday, April 20, 2023. Union activists stage scattered actions to press France's government to scrap the new law raising the retirement age. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

France’s retirement age demonstrations should not be surprising to Americans

French President Emmanuel Macron is behaving like many other politicians. Published April 24, 2023

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson answers questions from the media outside the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., Wednesday, April 19, 2023, after addressing a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly. Johnson, 47, who will be inaugurated May 15, promised collaboration with the Legislature and attempted to dispel the often-contentious relationship between the nation's third-largest city and the rest of the state, saying, "There's more than enough for everybody in the state of Illinois." Behind Johnson are House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, D-Hillside, left and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park. (AP Photo/John O'Connor)

Mayor-elect Johnson promoting lawlessness in Chicago

The mayor-elect of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, responded to a group of teenagers who vandalized cars and assaulted drivers in the Loop last weekend by what sounds like justification for their behavior. Published April 19, 2023

Debt load and inflation Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

More or less: No nation in history has survived with such massive debt as U.S.

Everywhere one looks these days, it appears services and products cost more but deliver less than they once did. That seems especially true when it comes to the federal government. Published April 17, 2023

FILE - In this Aug. 19, 1982 file photo, President Ronald Reagan greets House Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. of Mass. in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. President-elect Donald Trumps relationship with House Speaker Paul Ryan, once rocky, smooth for now, is just the latest in a series of recent pairings between the White House occupant and the speaker. They are often the most important and defining relationships in a presidency. (AP Photo/Ira Schwarz, File)

Reagan and O’Neill: A more civil approach to politics

Those of us longing for a more civil approach than today's political warfare should watch a speech given by Ronald Reagan at a dinner at Boston College honoring then-Speaker of the House Thomas "Tip" O'Neill. Published April 12, 2023

Illustration on transgender sports swimwear by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Evaluating Biden admin’s new proposed regulations under Title IX

The Biden administration thinks it has found a compromise when it comes to transgender athletes who wish to play on women's athletic teams. Published April 10, 2023

Illustration on the prosecution of Trump by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Let voters, not legal system, decide Trump’s fate

There are several ways of looking at the events that occurred this week in a Manhattan courtroom and later at Donald Trump's home in Florida. Published April 5, 2023

Former President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while in flight on his plane after a campaign rally at Waco Regional Airport, in Waco, Texas, Saturday, March 25, 2023, while en route to West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump’s bad character has determined his reputation

There is something that would have made all the difference for former President Donald Trump had he focused on it as his top priority, rather than himself. Published April 3, 2023

Illustration on attacks against Benjamin Netanyahu by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

In defense of Benjamin Netanyahu

The left in Israel and antisemites everywhere think they have arrived at the moment they have been hoping for ever since Benjamin Netanyahu won his first election as prime minister in 1996. Published March 29, 2023

Illustration on the revival events at Asbury University by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

The ‘outpouring’: Something special happened at Asbury University

Something happened at Asbury University. Kevin Brown, the president, is reluctant to use the word "revival" but he prefers "outpouring" to describe the days of prayer that drew as many as 50,000 people. Published March 27, 2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom talks to reporters after voting in Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 8, 2022. Newsom will be inaugurated for his second and final term Friday, Jan. 6. He chose the date to stand in contrast to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California demons: Does Gavin Newsom really think he can win presidency?

California, once a place where people moved to find beauty, prosperity and great weather (earthquakes and fires aside), is rapidly becoming a failed state. Published March 22, 2023

Illustration on why Donald Trump should not be a candidate for president by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Trump should remove himself from 2024 presidential race

If, as seems likely, Donald Trump is indicted by a New York grand jury and if, as also seems likely, Mr. Trump is also indicted by a Georgia grand jury, then Mr. Trump should follow the example of Lyndon B. Johnson. Published March 20, 2023

Illustration on the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Congress must hold to account those responsible for Silicon Valley Bank collapse

One of the benefits of being a Washington insider, from the president of the United States to the lowliest bureaucrat, is never having to admit your policies were wrong. Published March 15, 2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks in Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 10, 2023. On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, Newsom announced he would not renew a state contract with Walgreens after the company indicated it would not sell abortion pills in some conservative-led states. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas, File)

California Gov. Newsom’s unprincipled assault on Walgreens

California Democratic Gov, Gavin Newsom recently announced the state will not do business with the Walgreens drugstore chain. Published March 13, 2023

Illustration on revelations of the January 6 security videos by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

House Select Committee’s ‘incomplete’ story on Jan. 6

Fox News host Tucker Carlson recently aired on his show portions of the Jan. 6 video footage he received from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Published March 8, 2023

Biden's 'Build Back Better' illustration by The Washington Times

Read Biden’s lips: More new taxes

President Biden has announced he will raise "some taxes" in the budget he is proposing this week to Congress. Published March 6, 2023