Michael McKenna
Columns by Michael McKenna
Politics, not the electrical grid, stands as the top obstacle for data centers
Last week, President Trump publicly encouraged the PJM Interconnection to change its rules to encourage the building of more power plants. Published January 21, 2026
Republicans should not panic about midterm elections just yet
At the moment, it is fashionable to predict that congressional Republicans are going to lose their current majority, at least in the House of Representatives, in the wake of November's elections. Published January 18, 2026
Trump must focus on the voters’ agenda
It has been a tough few days for the president as he works through problems left for him by his predecessors and some problems of his own making. Published January 14, 2026
What the Chinese learned from America’s raid on Venezuela
In our 50-year-long twilight struggle with the Soviet Union, it was often said that the U.S. overestimated the capabilities of the Russians and consistently underestimated their threat. Published January 11, 2026
Victory in Venezuela, with some caveats
Let's start off with the truth: Venezuela was a multidecade mess tolerated by presidents of both parties, and President Trump deserves all the credit for being man enough to rip off the bandage. Published January 7, 2026
Entering 2026 with gratitude, humility and resolve
Like a lot of other people, I stayed up on New Year's Eve to watch thousands of people in my native city celebrate the dropping of a ball and, more important, seeing the start of another year. Published January 4, 2026
Predictions for 2026 (and some commentary)
In the famous words of Yogi Berra (or Niels Bohr): "It is tough to make predictions, especially about the future." Published December 31, 2025
What I got right (and wrong) about 2025
A friend recently pointed out to me that I needed to take responsibility for my less-than-good predictions from last year, as well as make some preemptive mistakes heading into the new year. Published December 28, 2025
We’re all redeemable
Christmas is about the hope of salvation. Published December 24, 2025
Memphis Allies’ proves one-soul-at-a-time approach can reverse tide of urban gun violence
Over the past 10 years, there have been well more than 100,000 shooting deaths of Black people in America. Published December 21, 2025
China’s illegal electronic cigarette infiltration
In addition to its destructiveness toward Western economies and freedoms, the regime in Beijing and its allies in Chinese industry have found time to export illegal vapes and e-cigarettes to the U.S. Published December 17, 2025
American solar manufacturing rises in Texas
An Texas-based company is trying to bring solar manufacturing back to the United States, after a generation-long effort on the part of the Chinese Communist Party to destroy it. Published December 14, 2025
Save consumers, shrink government, repeal CAFE standards
The Trump administration last week perpetuated one of the most pointless federal policies: an updated set of corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards. Published December 10, 2025
The melancholy of Christmas
There is a pervasive myth that suicide rates spike during Christmas time. Published December 7, 2025
Deadly National Guard attack and British grooming gang scandal demonstrate immigration gone wrong
Last week, in the capital of the free world and about two blocks from the White House, an Afghan national who had fought on behalf of U.S. interests in Afghanistan shot two National Guard members. Published December 3, 2025
Republicans face a radical, generational shift the establishment refuses to recognize
Lots of ink has been spilled about the Nick Fuentes appearance on Tucker Carlson's podcast. Published November 30, 2025
Thanksgiving offers the perfect time to reconnect with friends and extended family
A few weeks ago, one of my best friends from high school -- who I had lost track of in the long and busy tunnel of time -- died while in Europe from complications associated with Parkinson's disease. Published November 26, 2025
Thanksgiving gratitude must include hardship, not just harvest
The first Thanksgiving on American soil probably occurred in May 1541 near what is now Canyon, Texas, where Father Juan de Padilla said Mass for an army of 1,500 soldiers. Published November 23, 2025
Why America remains the world’s greatest nation
I was asked recently why I was such a homer for the United States despite our numerous and obvious defects. Published November 19, 2025
The filibuster: Essential to a free Congress’ survival
Upon returning from foreign travel and discovering that Congress had not yet settled on a solution to the shutdown, President Trump suggested that Senate Republicans amend Senate Rule 22. Published November 16, 2025
