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Cal Thomas

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

FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 file photo, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg attends an interview with the Associated Press before the Climate Strike, at City Hall, in New York. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is among four people named Wednesday as the winners of a Right Livelihood Award, also known as the "Alternative Nobel." Thunberg is being recognized "for inspiring and amplifying political demands for urgent climate action reflecting scientific facts," the prize foundation said. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File)

Greta Thunberg’s message of climate doom misses the mark

How much credibility should we give to a 16-year-old when considering her qualifications to lecture adults about science and an end-of-the-world scenario? Greta Thunberg has been dubbed by the media as a "climate change activist" and a teen "eco-warrior." Published September 25, 2019

Illustration on mentors by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

A tribute to my journalism mentors

They are all gone now; the men (and one woman) who were major influences in my early journalism career. The last two died within weeks of each other. They were Jack Perkins and Sander Vanocur, both veterans of NBC News where I started as a copyboy. Published September 23, 2019

In this Oct. 8, 2018, file photo, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh stands before a ceremonial swearing-in in the East Room of the White House in Washington. At least two Democratic presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Kamala Harris are calling for the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the face of a new, uninvestigated, allegation of sexual impropriety when he was in college. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

The Brett Kavanaugh reboot

When the U.S. Supreme Court, under a previous ideological majority, was handing down decisions favorable to the left, Democrats were fine with deferring to that third branch of government to achieve what they declined to produce in legislation. Published September 18, 2019

People wave banners depicting Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, during a protest march in support of the National Health Service (NHS), as winter conditions are thought to have put severe strain on health services, in London Saturday Feb. 3, 2018. The Government is urged to provide funds for beds and staff to ease the problems facing the NHS medical services. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

When government runs health care

"When would you like to schedule your knee replacement surgery?" asked my American doctor before I left for Ireland? I gave him a date that works for me (I'm calling it the result of an old basketball injury, not advancing age.) His office scheduled it for that date. Published September 11, 2019

Resolute Support (RS) forces guard at the site of a car bomb explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019. The Afghan government says at least 10 civilians are dead and another 42 wounded after a Taliban suicide car bombing rocked the Afghan capital near a neighborhood housing the U.S. Embassy and the NATO Resolute Support mission. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

President Trump dealing with the Taliban devil

President Trump was right to cancel a "secret" meeting with leaders of the Taliban and the Afghan government following two bomb attacks by the terrorist group that killed 10 civilians, an American soldier and a Romanian service member in heavily fortified Kabul. Published September 9, 2019

Coming After Retirement Savings Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

‘Will Democrats tax your retirement savings?’

We regularly hear from Democrats how rich people aren't paying their "fair share," though they never tell us what they consider fair and how much of that share they think government should seize. Published September 4, 2019

Former FBI Director James B. Comey has been found to have violated agency policies in his handling of memos documenting private conversations with President Trump. (Associated Press/File)

Unequal justice for James Comey

One doesn't have to be a cynic to be cynical about the Justice Department's decision not to hold former FBI Director James B. Comey accountable for what an inspector general's report called his violation of FBI policies and his setting a "dangerous example" in order to "achieve a personally desired outcome." Published September 2, 2019

Homeless tents are shown along a street in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

They’ve lost their minds in San Francisco

San Francisco, a city described in song for its natural beauty, is descending into an abyss of homelessness, the use of sidewalks as toilets and a place you might not want to visit, much less live. Published August 26, 2019

Illustration on The New York Times by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

The New York Times attempts to rewrite history

Remember the controversy in 2012 when President Barack Obama said, "If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen." Published August 21, 2019

President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Donald Trump: ‘Vote for me, or else’

During a December 2015 debate among Republican presidential candidates in Las Vegas, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said to Donald Trump: "You can't insult your way to the presidency." Never mind. Published August 19, 2019

Illustration on the romanticizing of Socialism by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Socialism never?

President Trump has repeatedly promised "America will never be a socialist country." Since Franklin Roosevelt began expanding government in the 1930s, the United States has increasingly adopted big-state policies associated with socialism. Published August 14, 2019

This March 28, 2017, file photo, provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein has died by suicide while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges, says person briefed on the matter, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)

Jeffrey Epstein: None dare call it ‘conspiracy’

Now that Jeffrey Epstein is dead, perhaps some are breathing a little easier knowing he won't have to testify at trial and be asked whether he served as a pimp to the wealthy and well-connected. Published August 12, 2019

Walmart customers are escorted from the store after a gunman opened fire on shoppers near the Cielo Vista Mall, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in El Paso, Texas. Multiple people were killed and one person was in custody after a shooter went on a rampage at the shopping mall, police in the Texas border town of El Paso said. (Mark Lambie/The El Paso Times via AP) **FILE**

Mass murders are a symptom

Politicians and pundits are promoting familiar explanations, excuses and demands following the tragic mass murders in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. From more gun laws, to blaming President Trump, conservative talk radio and Fox News, we've heard it all before. Published August 7, 2019

Congressman Elijah Cummings speaks at the grand opening of the McCullough Street Nature Play Space in West Baltimore on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Cummings on Saturday invited President Donald Trump and other Americans to Baltimore, taking the high road after a barrage of presidential tweets disparaging the black-majority city and its long-serving Democratic congressman. (Kim Hairston /The Baltimore Sun via AP)

Fixing Baltimore: A plan

Former South Carolina Gov. and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has urged President Trump and Rep. Elijah Cummings to stop exchanging insults over conditions in Baltimore. Published August 5, 2019

Derelict Baltimore Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Smelling rats in Baltimore

Calling someone "racist" has become the default position for liberal politicians and certain members of the media who wish to deflect attention from real problems. Published July 31, 2019

House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., arrives to a hearing where former special counsel Robert Mueller, will testify before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on his report on Russian election interference, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

What’s next for Democrats post-Mueller?

The Washington Post, which has done everything in its dwindling power with articles, editorials and columns denouncing, demeaning and attempting to destroy President Trump, appears to have temporarily -- but only temporarily -- raised the white flag. Published July 29, 2019

Uncle Sam Runs Out of Monopoly Money Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

The Founders and national debt

The Founders of the United States of America warned against massive federal debt, but, to our detriment, their political descendants are not paying attention. Published July 24, 2019