Michael McKenna
Columns by Michael McKenna
Democrats have a Patty Murray problem
President Trump has launched his second term without any of the resistance or mayhem that characterized the first few months of his first term. Published January 22, 2025
What Trump should say in his inauguration address
Inauguration speeches have, like State of the Union addresses, become subject to the terrible, relentless machinery of the Washington bureaucracy. Published January 19, 2025
California wildfires burn away climate change propaganda
These last few months have been, for climate warriors, the winter of their discontent, unlikely to be made glorious summer anytime soon. Published January 15, 2025
Time to stop foreign cash from infecting American politics
There is a loophole in federal law that allows foreign nationals to finance ballot measures. In the 2024 election cycle, Sixteen Thirty Fund spent $37 million on ballot measures across the U.S. Published January 13, 2025
Hurdles to Kennedy’s confirmation as HHS secretary
Would pro-life senators vote for someone to run the Department of Health and Human Services who is unapologetically pro-abortion? Published January 8, 2025
Predictions for 2025 on politics, sports, entertainment and faith
Everyone makes predictions, but only a few are foolish enough to write them down. So, guided by the ancient Roman theory that fortune favors the bold, here goes. Published January 4, 2025
Elon Musk is not your friend
It is difficult to pinpoint why Elon Musk has joined the new administration. Perhaps he wants to preserve and expand his advantages in space exploration or protect his investments in China. Published January 1, 2025
2024 predictions scorecard: What I got right, semi-right and flat-out wrong
This is my final column of 2024, which means it is time to assess the quality of my predictions offered back at the beginning of the year. Published December 28, 2024
Trump should signal U.S. energy dominance early
Last week, in an attempt to make lies sound truthful, the Biden administration issued a study that suggested the production and export of liquefied natural gas might (or might not) exacerbate climate change. Published December 25, 2024
A season of hope, redemption and salvation
In case my friend Luke isn't clear enough, Christmas is about the hope of salvation. Published December 20, 2024
Why winning elections never guarantees lasting change in America
For almost a thousand years, victorious Roman generals were celebrated in a "triumph" or ritual procession through the heart of Rome. Published December 18, 2024
‘Silent Night’: The most popular Christmas carol on the planet
A few nights ago, on the first really cold night in Virginia, I walked past a woman on the streets of Alexandria who was playing an instrument and singing all the verses to "Silent Night." Published December 14, 2024
Syria and the failure of the Western elites
With the disappearance of the Assad regime from Syria, the Middle East returns again to what it was before the last couple of centuries of combined Anglo and American hegemon. Published December 11, 2024
Trump should finish the job, grant general amnesty for political prisoners
Last week, to no one's surprise, President Biden issued a broad pardon to his son Hunter Biden, exonerating him for anything he may have done pretty much from his childhood up to the current moment. Published December 8, 2024
Fred Smith is more important than Hunter Biden
Much attention in the last few days has been singularly focused on the latest twist in the soap opera that is Hunter Biden, and with good reason. Published December 4, 2024
The story of Richard Warren: A true Thanksgiving tale
In 1621, Richard Warren scuffled for survival on the western edge of the North Atlantic along with the small group of Pilgrims at Plymouth, almost half of whom died in that first year from disease and privation. Published November 27, 2024
The lessons of Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general
The eight-day odyssey that was the nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general demonstrated with emphasis a few lessons about how Washington and the larger world tend to work. Published November 24, 2024
Biden wanted Trump to win
In all the propaganda offered by both sides about the recent election, two landscape features seem obvious. Published November 20, 2024
Patrick Buchanan, first champion of America First agenda
Were it not for Patrick Buchanan, Donald Trump would not have twice been elected president and we would not be trying to tease out the merits and demerits of his nominees in the middle of November. Published November 15, 2024
Why people do not and should not trust today’s legacy news media
Once in a while, the bias of the legacy media becomes obvious and unavoidable, and you can only not see it if you choose to look the other way. Published November 13, 2024
