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 the promise of free stuff by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Subsidizing failure and mediocrity in America

It's open enrollment season for Medicare. Local TV stations and cable networks are flooded with ads for various insurance supplements. Published October 27, 2021

Immigration woes increase with Biden illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Migrant invasion fundamentally transforming America

The numbers are staggering. Should we call them invaders instead of migrants, since that word better describes the hordes of humanity coming across what used to be our southern border. Published October 25, 2021

Vice President Kamala Harris waves at the end of a discussion of different care policies ranging from at-home medical care to childcare, during a virtual town hall, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Kamala Harris and the Hatch Act

Vice President Kamala Harris, who appears to be in the witness protection program when it comes to her assigned role of restoring our southern border, has resurfaced in a video she sent to 300 Black churches in Virginia. Published October 20, 2021

Ron Klain, White House chief of staff. (Associated Press photograph)

‘Show me an elitist, and I’ll show you a loser’

White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain brought criticism on himself last week when he retweeted a post from Harvard economist Jason Furman. Published October 18, 2021

Migrants, most from Haiti, cross the Rio Grande towards Del Rio, Texas, from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Illegal immigration is destroying our country

Britain's Home Office says more than 12,500 migrants have broken the law to get into the U.K. so far this year. Compare this to the nearly 200,000 migrants who have crossed the southern border just in July of this year. Published October 13, 2021

Illustration on American education by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Defining America’s education dumb down

What is the greatest threat to educating children today? Is it COVID-19 or ignorance? I'm going for number two. There is growing evidence to back me up. Published October 11, 2021

Illustration on a wealth tax by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Pandora Papers help fuel progressive Democrats’ tax schemes

The Pandora Papers, "an expose of the financial secrets and offshore dealings of dozens of heads of state, public officials and politicians," writes CNN, could not have come at a better time for congressional "progressives." Published October 6, 2021

United States Postal Service illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Stamp out the U.S. Postal Service

The USPS has announced it will slow service for first-class mail and periodicals while "temporarily" increasing prices on all "commercial and retail domestic" packages ... because of the holidays. Published October 4, 2021

Illustration on Democrat debauchery by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Death, debt, and debauchery: Radical Democratic Party running amok

The Democratic Party has now hit the trifecta. It has become the party of death, debt, and debauchery. Deception could be added, but that would require changing the metaphor to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Published September 29, 2021

Haitian migrants rest by fresh water plants near the Del Rio International Bridge as part of a group of people from Haiti waiting in Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña to get access to the United States, Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, in Del Rio, Texas. Haitians crossed the Rio Grande freely and in a steady stream, going back and forth between the U.S. and Mexico through knee-deep water with some parents carrying small children on their shoulders. Unable to buy supplies in the U.S., they returned briefly to Mexico for food and cardboard to settle, temporarily at least, under or near the bridge in Del Rio, a city of 35,000 that has been severely strained by migrant flows in recent months. (Marie D. De Jesús/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Undocumented immigrants and public schools stealthily destroying America

There are forces that wish to destroy America. Some of them are visible and some are stealth. Published September 27, 2021

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi gestures as she speaks at Goodwin University Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, in East Hartford, Conn. Pelosi was on hand to discuss the expanded Biden Child Tax Credit. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

For Democrats, ideology and party control trumps policy success

Some people prefer power to positive outcomes. It's all about control. Published September 22, 2021

California Vacancy Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Californians are voting with their feet and moving

Forget what you hear most pundits saying about last week's recall election that failed to unseat California Governor Gavin Newsom. Published September 20, 2021

Illustration on love for America by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Is hate winning in America?

Increasingly in public schools and many universities, students are taught about America's past faults, as if this is the prism through which all of us must see a country we were once taught to love. Published September 15, 2021

Cutting Pelosi's Budget Illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Accepting the challenge to cut Pelosi’s $3.5 trillion spending spree

Responding to Democrats in her party who are troubled by the massive $3.5 trillion spending bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked a question: "Where would you cut?" Published September 13, 2021

Illustration on terrorism and U.S. attacks after Afghanistan by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

The next terrorist attack: It’s not a matter of if, it’s when

For 20 years since Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. presidents have been saying their anti-terrorism policies have worked, as evidenced by no new attacks on America. Published September 8, 2021

Illustration on the Fourth Amendment and abortion by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Is abortion the cause of our decadent culture, or a reflection of it?

In the matter of a new Texas law banning abortions six weeks after gestation, when a fetal heartbeat can usually be detected by vaginal ultrasound, suppose the headlines had been different? Published September 7, 2021

This January 30, 1933 file photo shows the ministers of the new cabinet of Germany's new Chancellor Adolf Hitler in Berlin. Front row from left to right: Hermann Goering, Adolf Hitler, Franz von Papen. Second row standing from right to left are: Alfred Hugenberg, Werner von Blomberg, Wilhelm Frick, Johann Ludwig Graf Schwerin von Krosigk, Paul Freiherr Eltz von Ruebenach and Franz Beldte. A Geneva businessman says he has purchased Adolf Hitler's top hat and other Nazi memorabilia to keep them out of the hands of neo-Nazis and will donate them to a Jewish group. (AP Photo)

‘Modern Times’ reminds us that history is full of lessons we never fully learn

There once were summertimes when the living was easy, as the song from the Broadway musical "Porgy and Bess" melodically reminds us. Published September 1, 2021

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, appearing before a joint session of Congress termed as unprovoked and dastardly the attack by Japan upon Hawaii and the Philippines and asked for an immediate declaration of war, Dec. 8, 1941. (AP Photo)

Compared to FDR and JFK, Biden demonstrates faithlessness, unreliability and weakness

In his address following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt spoke from a position of strength. Mr. Biden speaks about Afghanistan from a position of weakness. Published August 30, 2021

Importance of School Choice Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

U.S. must expand school choice

When I was in public school, a TV ad asked: "It's 10 o'clock Do you know where your children are?" Published August 25, 2021

Illustration on Afghanistan's ripple effect by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Afghanistan’s ripple effect: America’s global standing diminished

What has happened in Afghanistan will not stay in Afghanistan but will have a ripple effect throughout the region and beyond. Published August 23, 2021