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Cal Thomas

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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

Hands Casting Ballots Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Republicans fight back against left’s shameful ‘racist’ smear

Perhaps the worst label one can attach to another person is "racist." How does one disprove that?

August 26, 2020

Supporters watch the program outside the venue where Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden is speaking, during the final day of the Democratic National Convention, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Democrats portray America as a nation full of misery, poverty and angst

If you watched last week's virtual Democratic convention, you heard about an America with which you might not be familiar.

August 24, 2020

President Eisenhower wears a big smile, and a button to match, which reads, "Don't ask what I shot," at his golf match with Sen. Robert A. Taft of Ohio at Augusta National Country Club, Augusta, GA, April 20, 1953. The button was handed to the chief executive by a newsman shortly before he reached the first tee for his match with Taft. (AP Photo/William J. Smith)

Republicans need to stop compromising and playing by the rules

The GOP has become like a protein shake dieters drink because it contains fewer calories. In too many cases, Republican positions resemble "Democrat-lite."

August 19, 2020

A group of protesters burn representations of Israeli flag during a gathering outside the United Arab Emirates' embassy in Tehran, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, to condemn the UAE's historic deal with Israel to open up diplomatic relations. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Israeli-UAE agreement should be met with skepticism until Islamists’ hate for Israel resolved

Anything that reduces tensions in the Middle East and contributes to Israel's security should be applauded.

August 17, 2020

Protesters react along Chicago Avenue as fires rage along a strip of businesses, early Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. Protests continued following the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Law(lessness) and (dis)order threaten America’s freedoms

What would you think if local politicians decided to cut the size of their fire department while buildings in their city were ablaze? What about a general who orders his soldiers to stop fighting and surrender to the enemy?

August 12, 2020

Mail Vote Shredder Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Why Trump is right about mail-in ballots

President Trump has said the potential for fraud with all mail-in voting is enormous.

August 10, 2020

Illustration on Biden’s running mate choices by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Joe Biden must satisfy Democratic Party’s hardcore leftists with VP choice

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden appears to have painted himself into a corner with his promise to select a woman to be his running mate.

August 5, 2020

Former President Barack Obama, addresses the service during the funeral for the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Thursday, July 30, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool)

Barack Obama turned John Lewis funeral into an anti-Trump event

Tradition was discarded during John Lewis' funeral last week in Atlanta. There were allegations of voter suppression by Republicans and a comparison of President Trump by former President Obama to George Wallace.

August 3, 2020

Demonstrators hold signs during a Black Lives Matter protest at the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse Monday, July 27, 2020, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The goals of Black Lives Matter and its radical ideology

How many mainstream reporters have bothered to delve into the background and founding principles of the rapidly spreading organization Black Lives Matter to which even White CEOs are contributing gobs of money?

July 29, 2020

Illustration on the rebellions in the west by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Rioting anarchists are seditionists, not protesters

The violence perpetrated in the streets of cities across America continues because state and local elected officials (all Democrats) refuse to do what is necessary to stop it.

July 27, 2020

Illustration on threats to gun rights by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

They’re coming for our guns (really)

By brandishing their weapons, the McCloskeys possibly deterred the marchers outside their home from engaging in actions far worse than their alleged trespassing. If they are convicted, they should be immediately pardoned by the governor.

July 22, 2020

Illustration on increasing national debt by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

America is drowning in debt due to Congress’ spending folly

Perhaps now is not the time in the middle of a pandemic, job losses and threats of even higher unemployment, to mention the national debt. Or, perhaps it is.

July 20, 2020

No Food Service Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Closing restaurants during COVID-19 pandemic should not be left to the opinions of a few ‘experts’

"It is a fatal conceit to believe any one person or small group of people has the knowledge necessary to direct an economy or dictate public health behavior."

July 15, 2020

Roger Stone (Associated Press) **FILE**

Roger Stone finds Jesus

Roger Stone says he is now plugged into that higher power. Scripture calls Him the "cornerstone."

July 13, 2020

Illustration on negative results to Democrats from connecting to socialism by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Democrats want to impose socialism, and worse, on America

Pushing back against this toxic tide was once known as patriotism.

July 8, 2020

President Donald Trump smiles at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Friday, July 3, 2020, near Keystone, S.D. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump needs to stop personal attacks and show some empathy if he expects to win reelection

The public wants to know if President Trump is with them, not above them. He should wear a mask. If he can't visit sick people in hospitals, then visit people who have recovered. Show some kindness, then perhaps political lightning will strike again.

July 6, 2020

In this Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, photo, Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. arrives before President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Leah Millis/Pool via AP) **FILE**

Unpredictable John Roberts lets Supreme Court affirm abortion ideology over women’s health

Those who oppose the Louisiana decision by the Supreme Court should increase their support of pregnancy help centers. By doing so, they will have a greater effect than waiting for Justice Roberts to again change his mind.

July 1, 2020

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks at a news conference on District of Columbia statehood on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, June 16, 2020, in Washington. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md. will hold a vote on D.C. statehood on July 26. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

District of Columbia is already a ‘state,’ a state of corruption, crime and dysfunction

In the latest of many cynical and highly political moves, the House of Representatives last week passed a measure that would transform the District of Columbia and make it the 51st state.

June 29, 2020

The White House is visible behind a statue of President Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Park, Tuesday, June 23, 2020, in Washington, with the word &quot;Killer&quot; spray painted on its base. Protesters tried to topple the statue Monday night. President Tump had tweeted late Monday that those who tried to topple the statue of President Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Park across the street from the White House faced 10 years in prison under the Veteran's Memorial Preservation Act. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

America’s destruction of cultural boundaries leads to lawlessness and subjective morality

What did we think would happen once boundaries were destroyed? The chaos plaguing the country today was inevitable after truth, standards and self-control were all but ignored by many in our society.

June 24, 2020

President Donald Trump points during his campaign rally at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Matt Barnard/Tulsa World via AP)

Toxic in Tulsa: Trump misses opportunity to heal and unify a divided nation

President Trump's speech Saturday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a toxic stream of consciousness that ignored a great opportunity to speak words of healing and unity to a divided nation.

June 22, 2020