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: Abortion (after Da Vinci)

Choosing life in circumstances less than ideal

Some editorial writers, columnists and activists are working overtime to tell stories of women who oppose last week's ruling by the Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade. Published June 29, 2022

Grace Miller 11, left, and Leo Miller 5, right, hold signs during a Pro-Life rally at Federal Plaza Friday, June 24, 2022, in Chicago, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Roe v. Wade overturned: Pro-lifers persistence paid off

There were times over the last 50 years when some pro-lifers felt they would never see Roe v. Wade overturned and the right to life again recognized by the government. Published June 27, 2022

Illustration on schools grooming children by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Skirting the issue: U.S. Court of Appeals rules NC charter schools cannot have gendered dress code

In the 1950s when television was in black and white as was the distinction between acceptable and unacceptable behavior, comedian Milton Berle would occasionally wear a dress in a skit. How things have changed. Published June 22, 2022

Illustration on America's decline by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

The decline of America

Two recent Gallup polls reveal an erosion of foundational principles that are key to a stable and enduring society. Published June 20, 2022

Former President Donald Trump speaks during the Leadership Forum at the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting, at the George R. Brown Convention Center, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) **FILE**

Voters, not Democratic lawmakers, should decide Trump’s political future

If the House Jan. 6 committee proceeds to its conclusion that former President Donald Trump incited the Capitol riot and tried to reverse the results of the 2020 election, President Biden will face a serious choice. Published June 15, 2022

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., tells reporters he is furious that the Supreme Court could overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Schumer called the news &quot;a dark and disturbing day for America.&quot; (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Schumer, Pelosi and the Democrats’ incendiary rhetoric

Most people are familiar with the phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Published June 13, 2022

FILE - Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., listen as the House select committee tasked with investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol meets on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 19, 2021. Republican Party officials have voted to punish Cheney and Kinzinger and advanced a rule change that would prohibit candidates from participating in presidential debates organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates. GOP officials took a voice vote to approve both measures at the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Jan. 6 congressional hearings: Prime time for anti-Trumpers

If things aren't going your way on issues such as high gas and food prices, inflation, and the hordes flowing across the southern border, the only strategy left is to try and change the subject. Published June 8, 2022

Honorary degree recipient Gloria Steinem, left, applauds fellow honorary degree recipient New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as she is introduced at Harvard's 371st Commencement, Thursday, May 26, 2022, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

Predictable and troubling commencement addresses

What comes to mind in the month of June? Weddings. Vacations (and how to pay for record-high gas prices if you're driving). Graduations. Published June 6, 2022

In this May 19, 2017, file photo, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm talks in his office about the benefits of placing prosecutors with police officers in neighborhoods to address crime and seek alternatives to prison. (AP Photo/Ivan Moreno) ** FILE **

The missing element in the gun debate

The heightened debate over gun violence following the massacre of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is leaving out one critical element. Published June 1, 2022

Law enforcement personnel walk outside Uvalde High School after shooting a was reported earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. (William Luther/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)

Texas shooting: A failure of several levels

There are no adjectives that can accurately describe the gruesome act committed by 18-year-old Salvador Ramos at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Published May 30, 2022

Illustration on Biden's timid foreign policy by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

What is Team Biden’s foreign policy?

For the third time since becoming president, Joe Biden has said he would send U.S. forces to defend Taiwan should mainland China launch an attack. Published May 25, 2022

FILE - Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, of California, speaks during a news conference on May 19, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The conservative Catholic archbishop of San Francisco said Friday, May 20, 2022, that he would no longer allow Pelosi to receive Communion because of her support for abortion rights. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Pelosi rightfully denied Communion due to abortion stance

The archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore Cordileone, has announced he will no longer allow Nancy Pelosi to receive Communion because of her refusal to adhere to Catholic doctrine on unborn human life. Published May 23, 2022

President Joe Biden speaks at the Delavan Grider Community Center in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, May 17, 2022, following Saturday's shooting at a supermarket. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The law, racism and promoting America at its worst

The overt racism and anti-Semitism written in the Buffalo shooter's 180-page "manifesto" has been rightly denounced by civilized people. Published May 18, 2022

Illustration on radical educational indoctrination in public schools by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

How children become progressives

How are progressives made? By cooking them in a public school six hours a day, five days a week, where they are seemingly indoctrinated with an ideology that contradicts the values of their parents. Published May 16, 2022

President Joe Biden speaks about inflation in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex in Washington, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Whipping inflation — then and now

In 1974, when the inflation rate was 11.04%, President Gerald Ford came up with a slogan: "Whip Inflation Now." Published May 11, 2022

Illustration on abortion protests and law enforcement by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

The irony of pro-choice activists protesting on Mother’s Day weekend

Irony doesn't begin to explain why pro-choice activists chose Mother's Day weekend to picket the homes of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John Roberts. Published May 9, 2022

Illustration on the overturn of Roe v. Wade (abortion ruling) by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

The end of Roe v. Wade?

Chief Justice John G. Roberts has confirmed the accuracy of a leaked document that revealed an initial majority vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. Published May 4, 2022

Illustration: Big Brother's Eye (Greg Groesch/The Washington Times)

Disinformation Governance Board: Biden’s ‘Ministry of Truth’

As with many things, propaganda can be used for good or for ill, depending on who dispenses it. Published May 2, 2022

Illustration on America's Twilight Zone by Alexander Hunter

Liberal media and entertainment corrupting public perception and skewing reality

There's an old joke about a fictitious poll taker who asked people what they thought about ignorance and apathy when it comes to politics and elections. One respondent said, "I don't know, and I don't care." Published April 27, 2022

FILE - In this Sunday, July 17, 1955 file photo, Walt Disney sits on a rock in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in the Fantasyland section of Disneyland on opening day of the amusement theme park in Anaheim, Calif. A year earlier, Disney made his move. He succumbed to the lure of television and arranged to tie in the TV show (he hosted) with a Disneyland park. (AP Photo)

What would Walt Disney think?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill passed by the Republican-majority legislature that revokes a special tax exemption and other privileges for Walt Disney World in Orlando. Published April 25, 2022