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

Zaila Avant-garde, 14, from Harvey, Louisiana is covered with confetti as she celebrates winning the finals of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee at Disney World Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Zaila Avant-garde and the Bee

By any standard, Zaila Avant-garde is a remarkable 14-year-old girl with a positive and compelling outlook on life. Published July 14, 2021

U.S. Army Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, center, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of U.S. Central Command, left, and Abdullah Abdullah, head of Afghanistan's National Reconciliation Council, right, attend at a ceremony where Miller relinquished his command, at Resolute Support headquarters, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, July 12, 2021. The United States is a step closer to ending a 20-year military presence that became known as its &quot;forever war,&quot; as Taliban insurgents continue to gain territory across the country. (AP Photo/Ahmad Seir)

Was America’s Afghanistan investment worth it?

Retirement plans warn of a "penalty for early withdrawal." Might that also apply to the withdrawal of American and NATO forces from Afghanistan? Published July 12, 2021

Illustration on the Supreme Court and freedom of worship by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Supreme Court confuses religious grounds while destroying traditional values

Is there anyone who can say what is always right and always wrong and present an unchanging standard by which all behavior can be judged? Published July 7, 2021

White House press secretary Jen Psaki listens to a question during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, June 28, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Psaki’s word games belie Dems’ defund the police mantra

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is channeling the line of the day from Democrats who want to divert attention from Democratic mayors and city councils across the country. Published July 5, 2021

Illustration on government unemployment checks by Linas Garsys/The Washington times

Human nature and stopping government unemployment checks

Books and articles -- scientific as well as theological -- have been written on human nature. Still, most people don't understand it, or refuse to learn from it, or worse, play to its dark side. Published June 30, 2021

Vice President Kamala Harris talks to the media after stepping off Air Force Two, Friday, June 25, 2021, on arrival to El Paso, Texas. Harris will visit the U.S. southern border as part of her role leading the Biden administration's response to a steep increase in migration. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Biden-Harris administration takes lying about migrants at the border to a new level

All politicians tell lies, but the Biden-Harris administration is taking lies to a new level. They now want us to disbelieve what we can see. Published June 28, 2021

Iran's new President-elect Ebrahim Raisi waves to participants at the conclusion of his press conference in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 21, 2021. Raisi said Monday he wouldn't meet with President Joe Biden nor negotiate over Tehran's ballistic missile program and its support of regional militias, sticking to a hard-line position following his landslide victory in last week's election. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Biden’s dangerous game with Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as it calls itself, is not a republic, but it is Islamic. Published June 23, 2021

In this Aug. 18, 2017, file photo, a statue of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest sits in a park in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz, File)

Democrats need a day of atonement for deplorable civil rights record

With the creation of June 19th ("Juneteenth") as a federal holiday, Democrats have one more claim to be the party of civil rights, but the facts say otherwise. Published June 21, 2021

Liberals politicize schools and children illustration by The Washington Times

New Jersey school district foolishly eliminates names of ‘all religious and secular holidays’

No more Christmas, Hanukkah, Memorial Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or even Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly known as Columbus Day). Published June 16, 2021

Illustration on scandals in the Southern Baptist Convention by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Dysfunctional Southern Baptists: Repent!

Cover-ups of sexual misconduct, allegations of racism and intimidation of those who wish to speak their minds but can't for fear of losing their jobs. It sounds like the dysfunctional ways of the world, doesn't it? Published June 14, 2021

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speak to reporters outside the White House after a meeting with President Joe Biden, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ** FILE **

Can wise Republicans capitalize on Democrats’ progressive overreach in 2024?

In an era of political correctness, virtue signaling and woke-ness, wisdom is in such short supply that when discovered it stands out like a beacon in a storm. Published June 9, 2021

In this file photo, former President Donald Trump speaks at the North Carolina Republican Convention Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Greenville, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) **FILE**

In your heart do you believe Trump is right?

In the 1964 presidential campaign, Republican candidate Barry Goldwater had a slogan: "In your heart you know he's right." Published June 7, 2021

President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 vaccination program, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden’s ‘can’t do’ narrative continues

President Biden has pledged to "help narrow the racial wealth gap and reinvest in communities that have been left behind by failed policies." Published June 2, 2021

January 6 Commision Anger and Head Exam Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

The Jan. 6 commission Americans really need

Senate Republicans refused to go along with the House and establish a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, which left five people dead, and more than 100 police officers injured. Published May 31, 2021

In this Thursday, May 13, 2021, file photo, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington. (Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP, File)

Alejandro Mayorkas should reread George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas is reportedly considering the development of tools that would help America's children discern truth from lies and know when they are being fed "disinformation." Published May 26, 2021

Militants stand guard around the stage as Yahya Sinwar, the Palestinian leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, makes an appearance at a rally of supporters days after a cease-fire was reached following an 11-day war between Gaza's Hamas rulers and Israel, Monday, May 24, 2021, in Gaza City, the Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

A ceasefire between Hamas terrorists and Israel solves nothing

A ceasefire is worse than a truce and even a truce is no substitute for victory. Published May 24, 2021

Supreme Court decision for Mississippi abortion case illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Positive Supreme Court decision for Mississippi pro-lifers would be a step in the right direction

The Supreme Court this fall will hear a case from Mississippi that bans most abortions after 15 weeks, except in cases of rape where the crime has been reported to police, or the life of the mother is in danger. Published May 19, 2021

In this Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, file photo, a screen displays then-President Donald Trump as he speaks on stage during the first day of the Republican National Committee convention in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ** FILE **

Republicans navigating the love and hate for Donald Trump

Observing the ouster of Rep. Liz Cheney, Wyoming Republican, from her House leadership position and her criticism of former President Donald Trump, reminded me of a '70s TV ad for Listerine mouthwash. Published May 17, 2021

Biden Out to Lunch Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Inaction by the Biden administration creates a political vacuum for dictators

Signs have been a part of Middle East lore dating back to biblical times. People in the region take them seriously, which is why the signs emanating from the Biden administration are having serious ramifications. Published May 12, 2021

IRS Photo illustration

‘The Infernal Revenue Service’

Thanks to the beneficence of the Internal Revenue Service -- and the fallout from COVID-19 -- we half of Americans who pay federal income taxes have been given until May 17 to file. Published May 10, 2021