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

Trusting the Liberal Media and Talking Heads Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Public trust hit high after 9/11 but declined quickly thereafter: Here’s why

Before he became host of "The Tonight Show" on NBC, Johnny Carson hosted a show on ABC called "Who Do You Trust." Published March 1, 2023

Illustration on Biden and the war in Ukraine by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Biden still does not have a clear Ukraine strategy

After a year of supporting Ukraine in its attempt to push back the Russian invasion, it's time to ask some hard questions. Published February 27, 2023

Illustration on progressivism and government by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Washington often contributes to more problems than it solves

The symposium last week commemorating the 100th anniversary year of Calvin Coolidge's becoming president contained many important reminders of what the past can teach the present. Published February 22, 2023

Calvin Coolidge

Coolidge’s presidency at 100: Government run for people, not bureaucracy

How people understand history largely depends on who writes it and from what perspective. Published February 20, 2023

In this June 20, 2018, file photo, Mitt Romney smiles during a campaign event in American Fork, Utah. Mitt Romney isn't up for reelection this year, but his name is surfacing in Republican primaries throughout the nation. Candidates are using the label &quot;Mitt Romney Republican&quot; to frame opponents as insufficiently conservative and enemies of the Trump-era GOP Candidates have employed the concept in attack ads and talking points in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Mitt Romney’s only criticisms are of Republicans

A forthcoming biography of Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney reportedly includes the former presidential candidate's view that his party is sliding toward "authoritarianism." Published February 15, 2023

FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 recover a high-altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 5, 2023. A missile fired on Feb. 5 by a U.S. F-22 off the Carolina coast ended the days-long flight of what the Biden administration says was a surveillance operation that took the Chinese balloon near U.S. military sites. It was an unprecedented incursion across U.S. territory for recent decades, and raised concerns among Americans about a possible escalation in spying and other challenges from rival China. (U.S. Navy via AP)

China buying up U.S. farmland way more concerning than the balloons

While the military is focused on foreign objects flying over American and Canadian territory, a more disturbing threat to our national security is occurring on the ground. Published February 13, 2023

Illustration on the State of the Union address by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Fading star vs. rising star: State of the Union and GOP’s response

We've heard it all before. A recording of last year's State of the Union address could have been replayed, saving President Biden a trip to Capitol Hill. Published February 8, 2023

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses an audience at a periodic "Politics and Eggs" gathering at Saint Anselm College, in Manchester, N.H., Sept. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) **FILE**

Mike Pompeo talks modern espionage, communism and threats to America

Say the words "espionage" and "communism" to a younger generation, and they might think you're talking about spy novels and Cold War history. Published February 6, 2023

Illustration on Biden's attitude towards government by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Misplaced faith in big government

While most of the public and media attention over the past two years has been focused on high prices and inflation, these issues take second place over the public's top concern, big government. Published February 1, 2023

The image from video released on Jan. 27, 2023, by the City of Memphis, shows Tyre Nichols during a brutal attack by five Memphis police officers on Jan. 7, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. Nichols died on Jan. 10. The five officers have since been fired and charged with second-degree murder and other offenses. (City of Memphis via AP)

No amount of justice for ex-cops will restore Tyre Nichols’ life

No adjective is sufficient to describe the reaction one gets from watching five Memphis police officers beat 29-year-old Tyre Nichols to within an inch of his life. Published January 30, 2023

President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with Democratic lawmakers in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden’s classified documents scandal? What scandal?

In our relativistic age in which everyone has his or her own "truth," and none is to be preferred over another so long as the individual feels good about it, why should anything be considered scandalous? Published January 25, 2023

FILE - New Zealand Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern grimaces as she announces her resignation at a press conference in Napier, New Zealand Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Education Minister Chris Hipkins is set to become New Zealand's next prime minister after he was the only candidate to replace Jacinda Ardern. (Warren Buckland/New Zealand Herald via AP, File)

Ardern’s surprise resignation: It’s refreshing when a politician knows when to quit

Like Halley's comet, which comes around only every 75 years, the resignation of a top politician from office is a rare occurrence. Published January 23, 2023

FILE - Lisa Marie Presley arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Mad Max: Fury Road" at the TCL Chinese Theatre on May 7, 2015. Presley, singer and only child of Elvis, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, after a hospitalization, according to her mother, Priscilla Presley. She was 54. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

The tragedy of Lisa Marie Presley

The death at age 54 of Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis, got me thinking again about the two-edged sword that is fame. Published January 18, 2023

Illustration of China as a threat to Taiwan and the world by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

China’s threat is not only to Taiwan

Last July, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, visited Jakarta, Indonesia, where he said China's military has become significantly more aggressive and dangerous over the past five years. Published January 16, 2023

In this March 7, 2017 photo, Hawaii state Rep. Gene Ward talks about why he's against a bill to require presidential candidates to disclose tax returns before a vote in Honolulu. Similar bills were introduced in more than 20 states, and Hawaii and New Jersey recently became the first states in which the bills passed out of legislative chambers. Some legal scholars question the constitutionality of states setting restrictions on presidential candidates, saying that is left to the US Constitution. (AP Photo/Cathy Bussewitz)

A minority view: A conversation with Hawaii’s Gene Ward

If one discounts Alaska's Aleutian Islands, Hawaii is about as far -- geographically and politically -- from Washington, D.C., as one can get. Published January 11, 2023

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

Biden’s ‘shadow immigration system’ strategy too little, too late

After months of ignoring the problem, President Biden is finally visiting the southern border this week as part of a trip to Mexico. Published January 9, 2023

Illustration on the state of intellectual life in the nation and on college campuses by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Where have all the intellectuals gone?

The new slim Republican majority in the House of Representatives lacks something besides its slim majority and the battle over leadership positions. It lacks intellectual depth. Published January 4, 2023

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 1924, file photo, President Calvin Coolidge throws out the ball for the opening game of the 1924 World Series between the Washington Senators and the New York Giants in Washington. (AP Photo/File)

Looking back 100 years: Human nature never changes

People speak of a new year as turning the page, starting out fresh or forgetting the past. Published January 2, 2023

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