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

Support Ukraine against Russia illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Ukraine Christian ministers speaking truth about Russia

Does Mr. Trump seriously believe he can make a peace deal with Mr. Putin by the force of his personality and pressuring Mr. Zelenskyy to acquiesce to something that is not in his country's best interests? Published March 3, 2025

President's pride and power illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Pride before the fall: A Nixon-era warning for Trump

President Trump is on a roll, claiming victory after victory against the "swamp." Published February 26, 2025

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., holding hands with Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., accompanied by other members of Congress, speaks during a rally against Elon Musk outside the Treasury Department in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Democrats cry ‘constitutional crisis,’ but they created it

Democrats are raising an alarm about what they call a "constitutional crisis." If there is one, they should know because they are to blame for it. Published February 24, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Putin must be defeated

Accommodating evil never ends well. Published February 19, 2025

People protest during a rally outside the Treasury Department in Washington, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Democrats protest as Trump’s DOGE squad exposes federal waste

The credit card statement contained an unfamiliar charge. I called the fraud department, which canceled the payment and sent me a new card. If only the federal government responded with similar alacrity. Published February 17, 2025

Stop minting pennies illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

U.S. needs to stop minting all coins

President Trump has ordered the Treasury Department to stop minting pennies to save money. Published February 12, 2025

Elon Musk listens as Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show on Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) **FILE**

Trump and Musk are spring cleaning the government

It's a bit early for spring cleaning, but that's what President Donald Trump and his faithful companion Elon Musk appear to be doing. Published February 10, 2025

Democrats and rebuilding for next election illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Democrats double down on failed race and gender messaging despite election losses

It's not true, as it has been reported that Democrats don't have a "coherent message" and are wallowing in confusion. Published February 5, 2025

Illustration on corporate newspaper and television media by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

New media’s rise marks legacy news outlet’s fall

The "legacy media" are in decline, and the new media are surging. Published February 3, 2025

President Donald Trump talks as he signs an executive order giving federal recognition to the Limbee Tribe of North Carolina, in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Trump’s revenge: Successfully breaking government gridlock

One of the things that frustrates so many people about Washington is its dysfunction. We are paying more and getting less. Published January 29, 2025

FILE - President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Trump’s first week shakes Washington with blitz of policy actions

The standard by which modern presidents have been judged is the first 100 days. Forget that. Mr. Trump has done more for good, and some will argue for the ill, than maybe any president in his first week in office. Published January 27, 2025

Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Presidential pardons raise questions about political accountability and family favoritism

Pardons were flying all over Washington on Monday like a flock of birds or airplanes during peak hours at Reagan Airport. Published January 22, 2025

President Donald Trump speaks in Emancipation Hall after the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Al Drago/Pool Photo via AP)

Trump’s second inaugural address marks shift from ‘American carnage’ to optimism

According to the Frank Sinatra song, "Love is lovelier, the second time around." We'll see how that works out in the second coming of Donald. J. Trump, now president of the United States for a second time. Published January 20, 2025

President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Will Trump be able to accomplish all he has promised?

Who remembers Donald Trump's first inaugural address? Probably not very many, unless they have Googled it, as I did. Published January 15, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom, center, surveys damage in Pacific Palisades with CalFire's Nick Schuler, left, and Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., during the Palisades Fire Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)

Democrats deflect blame for Los Angeles County’s wildfires

When a politician says "don't politicize" a significant event like the fires that have swept Los Angeles County, it's a good bet they are attempting to shield themselves from their inaction. Published January 13, 2025

Illustration on bad teachers by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Dumbing down New Jersey schools

Among the many laws that took effect at the beginning of the new year is one in New Jersey that will astound and should anger people with children in the state's public schools. Published January 8, 2025

Illustration on prison reform by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Prison and sentencing reform: Saving money in an overlooked place

According to The Sentencing Project, 72.1% of federal prisoners are serving time for a nonviolent offense and have no history of violence. More than half are for drug offenses. Published January 6, 2025

FILE - President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter chat with Rev. Charles Trentham as they leave the First Baptist Church in Washington on March 20, 1977. (AP Photo/Charles W. Harrity, File)

Jimmy Carter’s application of his faith disappointed many Christian conservatives

When Jimmy Carter began attending the First Baptist Church in Washington after becoming president, I thought it a unique opportunity to better understand his faith. Published January 1, 2025

Predicting 2025 from 1925 illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Lessons of 1925: Learning from the past and not predicting the future

Political and other prognosticators are busy predicting the future, as usual. Published December 30, 2024

Protecting the lives of murderers and not babies illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Biden protects the lives of murderers, but not babies

As if his 1,500 pardons weren't enough to cause outrage, President Biden has gone further. Near the expiration of his presidency, Mr. Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row. Published December 26, 2024