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 prosecution of Trump by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Let voters, not legal system, decide Trump’s fate

There are several ways of looking at the events that occurred this week in a Manhattan courtroom and later at Donald Trump's home in Florida. Published April 5, 2023

Former President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while in flight on his plane after a campaign rally at Waco Regional Airport, in Waco, Texas, Saturday, March 25, 2023, while en route to West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump’s bad character has determined his reputation

There is something that would have made all the difference for former President Donald Trump had he focused on it as his top priority, rather than himself. Published April 3, 2023

Illustration on attacks against Benjamin Netanyahu by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

In defense of Benjamin Netanyahu

The left in Israel and antisemites everywhere think they have arrived at the moment they have been hoping for ever since Benjamin Netanyahu won his first election as prime minister in 1996. Published March 29, 2023

Illustration on the revival events at Asbury University by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

The ‘outpouring’: Something special happened at Asbury University

Something happened at Asbury University. Kevin Brown, the president, is reluctant to use the word "revival" but he prefers "outpouring" to describe the days of prayer that drew as many as 50,000 people. Published March 27, 2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom talks to reporters after voting in Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 8, 2022. Newsom will be inaugurated for his second and final term Friday, Jan. 6. He chose the date to stand in contrast to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

California demons: Does Gavin Newsom really think he can win presidency?

California, once a place where people moved to find beauty, prosperity and great weather (earthquakes and fires aside), is rapidly becoming a failed state. Published March 22, 2023

Illustration on why Donald Trump should not be a candidate for president by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Trump should remove himself from 2024 presidential race

If, as seems likely, Donald Trump is indicted by a New York grand jury and if, as also seems likely, Mr. Trump is also indicted by a Georgia grand jury, then Mr. Trump should follow the example of Lyndon B. Johnson. Published March 20, 2023

Illustration on the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Congress must hold to account those responsible for Silicon Valley Bank collapse

One of the benefits of being a Washington insider, from the president of the United States to the lowliest bureaucrat, is never having to admit your policies were wrong. Published March 15, 2023

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks in Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 10, 2023. On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, Newsom announced he would not renew a state contract with Walgreens after the company indicated it would not sell abortion pills in some conservative-led states. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas, File)

California Gov. Newsom’s unprincipled assault on Walgreens

California Democratic Gov, Gavin Newsom recently announced the state will not do business with the Walgreens drugstore chain. Published March 13, 2023

Illustration on revelations of the January 6 security videos by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

House Select Committee’s ‘incomplete’ story on Jan. 6

Fox News host Tucker Carlson recently aired on his show portions of the Jan. 6 video footage he received from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Published March 8, 2023

Biden's 'Build Back Better' illustration by The Washington Times

Read Biden’s lips: More new taxes

President Biden has announced he will raise "some taxes" in the budget he is proposing this week to Congress. Published March 6, 2023

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