Townhall Review | Commentaries

In Trump v. Slaughter, the Supreme Court has issued one of the most important administrative law decisions in years. It overrules a famous precedent called Humphrey’s Executor, which had protected some independent agency commissioners from being fired by the president. President Trump removed two members of Federal Trade Commission over policy disagreements. But federal law says commissioners can be fired only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct. So the fired commissioners sued. The Supreme Court held that the statutory limits on presidential removal violate the Constitution’s separation of powers. And the Court was right. If public officials exercise executive power but answer to no elected president on matters of policy, they’re no longer accountable to the voters. That creates an unelected governing class — an oligarchy, really — that’s protected by law. And that’s fundamentally un-American. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Few issues have generated more controversy in America than whether biological males should be allowed to compete on girls’ and women’s school sports teams. Now, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that states may protect biological females from having to compete against biological males without violating the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause or Title IX. It’s important to understand what the Court did—and didn’t—decide. The ruling doesn’t require states to adopt those protections. It simply says they are free to do so. That matters because the decision explicitly affirms a basic truth: men and women are physically different. Recognizing that reality is not discrimination. It is a legitimate basis for protecting fairness in girls’ and women’s sports. And it leaves those policy decisions where they belong—with the people and their elected representatives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is approaching quickly. The document—as I often point out to my listeners—is, to quote Abraham Lincoln, an “apple of gold” protected by the “frame of silver” that is the Constitution he borrowed from Psalms there. All Americans—indeed all the free world—have a lot to celebrate in this our 250th year of independence. The Declaration asserted the existence of "rights" of individuals that exist before any government — no matter the form of that government— comes into being: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The great day of the fourth is, from beginning to end, about love of our country because our country defends our individual rights, rights derived—back to the Declaration— from “the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God.” It is quite a gift that we have been given—a gift that needs to be defended.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent report issued by British Member of Parliament Rupert Lowe documents the grooming and horrific sexual abuse of as many as 250,000 young girls across England, These girls endured gang rape, brutal abuse, forced abortions and pregnancies, and even coerced Islamic conversion. And it happened while social workers, teachers, police and prosecutors looked the other way. Now, the victims are being failed again—this time by America’s legacy media. Since the Lowe report was released, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and MSN NOW have devoted virtually no coverage to its findings. Legacy media journalists often lament Americans’ declining trust in the press. But this is why. Media bias isn't only about how stories are covered. It's also about the stories legacy news organizations choose to ignore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As America’s 250th birthday approaches, it’s worth taking a moment to celebrate the Declaration of Independence. Today, many Americans take for granted the idea that all people are created equal and endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights — natural rights that no government may rightfully take away. It’s easy to forget just how revolutionary those ideas were when the Declaration was written. Grounded in Judeo-Christian principles, the Declaration established the United States not on shared ancestry, geography, or history, but on devotion to a common creed. Although America has not always lived up to its highest ideals, our Declaration gives voice to our finest aspirations. With it, the Founders drafted the promissory note that generations of Americans have drawn on in the ongoing effort to build an ever more perfect union.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The Winter Fortress: The Epic Mission to Sabotage Hitler's Atomic Bomb” is a 2016 volume by Neal Bascomb. It tells the harrowing story of Norwegian commandos who attacked the German site at Vemork in World War II. It was the Nazis only plant for mass production of “heavy water,” on which they had placed their primary bet to produce atomic weapons during World War II. I wish it had been converted to the film that it was optioned to be because it would be a short-cut for those who don’t understand why Donald Trump is singularly focused on ensuring the Islamic Republic of Iran cannot make or buy a nuclear weapon. Trump is motivated by a conviction similar to that held by Churchill and FDR and knew Hitler would use any weapon he could obtain, even as Trump and Netanyahu know the fanatics in Iran would use any weapon they could build or buy. Did we achieve enough to end the Iranian regime’s nuclear program? Time will tell. The threat has existed for two decades now. Bravo to Trump for his orders to start destroying it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both chambers of the New York state legislature have passed legislation replacing the word mother and father with ‘gestating parent’ and ‘non-gestating parent. C.S. Lewis famously decried what he called “verbicide” or more technically, “the murder of a word.” We can only imagine what he would think of with this development in New York. As the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal notes, the effort is part of legislation intended to “purge gendered language from state family law.” Just ponder that for a moment. The natural family is predicated upon the fundamental truth that God made human beings male and female, assigned marriage as the union of one man and one woman who would also be fruitful and multiply. Hence, it’s easy, the male parent is the father and the female parent is the mother. This pattern has been assumed and unconfused throughout most of human history. Until now. In New York. The goal of this insanity is nothing less than the collapse of truth, creation order, marriage, morality, and civilization itself. That’s all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On paper, the regime in Iran should represent everything that Western progressives reject. Women experience brutal oppression and are treated like chattel belonging to male family members. The economy centers on the nation's military-industrial complex, with the IRGC controlling 40% or more of the nation's economic output. Don’t forget how the mullahs treat the LGBTQ community, religious minorities, indigenous peoples, and so on. And yet, the mainstream media waited nearly two weeks to report on the uprising in Iran. Progressive publications like The Nation, the New Republic, and Slate never mentioned it. The Golden Globes vented about Trump and ICE—but remained silent on Iran. Why the silence? As Yascha Mounk wrote on Monday, the Left’s hatred of the Western democracy makes Iran’s theocratic tyrants their natural allies. Their silence is their expression of grief that true liberty may prevail in Tehran and vindicate Western values.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1981, Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick said the election of Ronald Reagan meant the United States was taking the “kick me” sign off its back.  So, too, is that true with President Donald Trump.  The deposing and arrest of the Fidel Castro of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, is the latest example. Because of Trump, Maduro is not running drugs, nor a gauntlet of death for innocents, nor a criminal cartel… but he may be running a criminal defense team in New York. The liberation of Venezuela will come with collateral positives: Iran’s mullahs know clearly that they are not dealing with a tentative American president who will continue to allow their death march targeting our country; we’ll see a dramatic drop in cocaine and criminality exported to the U.S.; Russia, China, and Hezbollah will be on their heels in our region, not their toes; Cuba will be strangled of vast economic support And, finally: protestors will know they finally have America on their side. Americans are safer. Freedom is expanding. Peace through strength is back.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we move toward the end of the year—and look at January and 2026 in front us, it’s it is worth remembering that January is named after the Roman figure “Janus,” whose head looked forward and backward. Looking backward, it was a year with some awful moments. We lost one of the youngest and brightest of our age in Charlie Kirk as well as one of the oldest and brightest of the age that educated all of us, Norman Podhoretz.  The conservative constellation weeps over 2025.  But as we look forward, we have much to celebrate and build on: Namely: Our 250th anniversary as a country which still very much is, as Lincoln said, “the last best hope of earth.”  And, second, a presidency that has sidelined transnational progressivism in favor of Western superiority.  Finally, the hope we all have for the uplift of our fellow citizens and the destruction of the enemies of civilization in a world torn between civilizational abuse and civilizational liberation. From the Salem Media family to all of you: Happy New Year!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“For unto us, a child is born. Unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of peace.” That's what the great prophet Isaiah promised centuries before the birth of Christ. The fulfillment of that promise is what we celebrate at Christmas. It happened in Little Bethlehem and the angel declared to the shepherds, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, which is Christ the Lord.” And so that baby was born, history was riven in two, and salvation came as the angelic host declared “glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Now you and those you love, celebrate a wonderful Christmas filled with the glory of Christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

.If they would rather die, perhaps they had better do so and decrease the surplus population. With that quote, Ebenezer Scrooge makes perfectly clear the true political message of A Christmas Carol. Dickens was writing amidst a wave of hysteria about population growth triggered by Thomas Malfus, who argued that reproduction would exceed growth in food. Scrooge was both anti procreation and anti-marriage. Of course, Scrooge and Malfus who inspired him turned out to be wrong. His nephew, Fred, and the ghost of Christmas present turned out to be right. But the lessons from A Christmas Carol ought to give us strength today as well, as we press back against a message of outright hostility to family so prevalent among the woke left. There is no such thing as surplus population. God bless us everyone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been said that gratitude is the mother of all virtue and ingratitude the father of all vice. We do well to reflect on that this Thanksgiving. We find ourselves in a social and political moment of great self-importance attached to impatience, and an inability to recognize the wisdom of others. We have example after example where ego trumps reason—and “my truth” is preferred over the truth itself. With our political tendencies trending toward the extremes, we diminish the greatest set of social relations ever gifted, as they were by our Founding and Constitution. This Thanksgiving, on the eve of our nation’s 250th anniversary, let’s consider a prayer at our tables for our country and those who delivered us such a great gift with their lives, fortunes and sacred honor. Let’s giving thanks for those who gave us so much. Let’s give thanks to the God who showed His hand behind it all. On behalf of Salem Media, I’m Seth Leibsohn wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I recently penned an open letter to President Trump. Here’s an abbreviated version: Dear President Trump: I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication to our nation. Your leadership has profoundly strengthened Americans in the face of relentless challenges. Your sacrifices inspire millions. The FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago was a blatant injustice, yet it didn’t deter you. You faced six baseless lawsuits, survived two assassination attempts, including the harrowing incident in July ‘24 in Pennsylvania, a bullet struck your head. And minutes later, with blood on your face, you stood tall, defiantly raised your fist, and rallying the nation to “Fight, fight, fight!” and you have. Your relentless push for the Big Beautiful Bill will ensure Americans keep more of their hard-earned money. And I could go on and on…. I am deeply grateful for your sacrifices and the lasting impact you continue to have on this nation and the world. It’s with my sincere appreciation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. James Dobson defender and friend of the family, died in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His public life began as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, which he joined after completing his doctorate in psychology, He saw the permissive models of parenting then gaining ground, and he pushed back with his book, “Dare to Discipline,” which became an evangelical standard. His early forays into radio and broadcasting led to the formation of Focus on the Family, which grew into a vast organization with international reach. I was honored to serve on its board of directors. He became a major figure in conservative evangelical life and in the contested politics of his age. He fought for laws and policies that would support rather than subvert marriage and the family. His soft voice was combined with firm convictions. In a tumultuous age, he made waves and he influenced lives. The history of our times cannot be told without him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dangerous world we are looking at today serves as an appropriate backdrop for our expression of gratitude for those who have died in the service of our nation. From the time of our nation’s founding to today, well over 1.2 million Americans have paid the ultimate price in the service of our country. Today is a day for us to say, “thank you.” It is also a day for us to dedicate ourselves. In 1863 Lincoln called our country to an “unfinished work.” And, in many respects, we remain an unfinished work. Our commitment—the commitment of “the living”—to the values and freedoms our honored veterans fought for makes clear that they did not die in vain. To those who have served or are serving today: A grateful nation says, “thank you.” To those listening who have a loved one who died for this great cause: A special thanks to you—and a heartfelt civilian salute from me (and all my friends here at the Salem Media Group). Happy Memorial Day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America arrives at Thanksgiving this year with plenty to talk about. The nation has been transfixed by a recent election—and how to interpret all we’ve just experienced. Christians are looking squarely at issues we care so deeply about. But all Americans—left, right and center—are dealing with the economic climate—it’s impacted all voters. And yet, most Americans will sit around tables filled with food. Gas is more expensive, but still lower than most others pay around the world. Our court system works. The rule of law prevails.  We are not at war—and we’ve shown ourself resilient. We face challenges, but we would not trade our place in the world for any other people at any other time—and we know it. God still gives grace to this nation and its people, and there is every good reason for Americans to give thanks to God once again this Thanksgiving Day. I’m Albert Mohler—wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are so many takes on the 2024 election and so little time.  Over at Fox News I listed my top 10. Right now, I’ll just note one: Our national security. Americans know our national security is endangered by China-Russia-Iran-North Korea’s axis of dictators and we don’t like the prospect of being #2 or even tied for #1. “Peace through strength” is the best option for the President-elect to follow—and to do so with a sweeping set of goals. The rapid expansion of our fleet, especially under the seas, should be a priority along with the on-going development of asymmetrical weapons and systems. The selection of Florida Congressman—and Green Beret—Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor and Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense indicate that the Team Trump is serious. These are good men—and they are serious men. I hope all his senior appointees at DOD commit for the entire four years.  The nation needs them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2024 Election is on us.  I’ve been emphasizing “the choice,” voters must make—and that it’s underway, even as it’s still being debated across the country and people who vote right up through election day.  That choices between the two tickets, Trump Vance, Harris Waltz, but also between Trump's national security team and his 3,000 other political appointees, and Harris and her national security team, and her 3,000 other political appointees.  Trump's appointees will be center right to conservative men and women, many of whom we know. Harris's appointees, names almost wholly unknown, but virtually all radicals run from the left to the way left to radical. That's why San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley are in such ruins. They are all run by extreme “progressives,” which really means radicals. Yes: You’re choosing a president. But you’re choosing an entire executive branch. I’m Hugh Hewitt, and I’m choosing Trump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before he wrote his classic novel, 1984, George Orwell wrote an essay where he put it that political speech was increasingly becoming distorted so as to “defend the indefensible;” and used to support that which, in its clear and obvious meaning, would never be supported. We see this everywhere now:  killing an unborn child today is “reproductive rights” the effort to change person’s sex is labeled “gender affirmation” violence is “mostly peaceful” Peaceful and patriotic marching is “insurrection” and: freedom of speech is purportedly protected by “disinformation governance boards.” Once you take away the ordinary meaning of things, once you distort clear language or a phrase for its opposite, Orwell warned, you can convince people of things that would otherwise never support. That’s how an unborn child became a “fetus” after all.  Orwell opened his famous novel instructing that war is peace and slavery is freedom.  It’s all around us now, which is why we have a saying here: MOFA—Make Orwell Fiction Again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once again, Americans are ready to celebrate the 4th of July. Very ready indeed. But let's remember that the holiday is actually known as Independence Day, marking the anniversary of the act of American Patriots in declaring independence from Great Britain.  The Declaration of Independence is the nation’s birth certificate. More than that, Independence Day marks a momentous event in human history. For the first time a new nation was established upon the premise that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  For more than 200 years, the United States of America has been learning how to fulfill that promise. But on Independence Day, we celebrate the fact that this world-changing promise was made and a new nation was born. A nation founded upon liberty, dignity and self-government. Happy Independence Day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We tend to think of the resurrection of Jesus as only a religious event, with no political implications. But Jesus was executed by the state as an enemy of the state. The debates about resurrection in first-century Judaism were intensely political. The Sadducees, defenders of the status quo, denied the resurrection. The more orthodox Pharisees affirmed it. This makes sense. Bible scholar N.T. Wright points out that states derive their power ultimately from their ability to kill people. By rising from the dead, Jesus conquered death, disarming that power. Christ’s resurrection was inherently—in the best sense of the word—revolutionary. His victory gives men and women the courage to resist the Caesars, and the Kaisers and Czars of this world. The cross, the sword, the guillotine, the gulag and the firing squad do not represent the end. The spirit of Caesar is still around, but more importantly so is the Spirit of Christ. He is risen.  He is risen, indeed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” That’s what the great prophet Isaiah promised centuries before the birth of Christ. The fulfillment of that promise is what we celebrate at Christmas. It happened in little Bethlehem, and the angel announced to shepherds: “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” And so that baby was born, history was riven in two, and salvation came. As the angelic host declared: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” May you and those you love celebrate a wonderful Christmas, filled with the glory of Christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Tis the season for Christmas carols, and one of the most beautiful of our carols asks the most important question of all: “What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” Christmas demands an answer to that question.Even with all the fanfare and frantic activity of the season, that question remains. Even though commercialism and secularism and political correctness try to push the question aside, the question still stands. In the stillness of a winter’s night, the question rings our loudly and insistently – who is this child?You know the carol’s answer: “This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherd’s guard and angels sing.” “Joy! Joy! For Christ is born. The babe, the son of Mary!” That is the true answer to the question – the baby is Christ the king. May you know the full joy of Christmas.Merry Christmas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The reservoir of sympathy for Israel in the wake of the October 7th attack has turned out to be shockingly shallow. We're seeing gleeful bloodlust in the streets of capital cities, among the students at elite universities. Murderers celebrated instead of condemned. What has happened to our world? Israelis have no illusions about what is intended by the now-commonplace chant "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." The message is simple in that phrase: Erase the Jews. I am hardly alone in believing it is a call for genocide, for another holocaust. Do you wonder at how ferociously Israel defends itself? Consider how the United States and Britain responded when the Axis powers sought to destroy them in World War II. America and her allies' aim was the enemy's unconditional surrender, or its leaders' deaths and the destruction of their war machine. Total war. And America succeeded. As will Israel, where "never again" still means "never again."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, it's a good time to be reminded about the true history of the holiday. Perhaps we should not be surprised that in an increasingly secular America, there's confusion about the origins of Thanksgiving. Some kids are now actually taught that the Pilgrims held a feast to thank the Indians. Afraid of appearing too religious, some are now calling it "Turkey Day," as if it all comes down to poultry. The facts speak for themselves: In 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated what they called "the goodness of God" as they feasted with local Indians. In 1789 President Washington declared the first national day of Thanksgiving—asking Americans to "unite in most humbly offering our prayer and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations." So much for a secular holiday. These Americans knew to whom they were praying.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We tend to think of the resurrection of Jesus as only a religious event, with no political implications. But Jesus was executed by the state as an enemy of the state. The debates about resurrection in first century Judaism were intensely political. The Sadducees, defenders of the status quo, denied the resurrection. The more orthodox Pharisees affirmed it. This makes sense. Bible scholar N.T. Wright points out that states derive their power ultimately from their ability to kill people. By rising from the dead, Jesus conquered death, disarming that power. Christ’s resurrection was inherently—in the best sense of the word—revolutionary. His victory gives men and women the courage to resists the Caesars, and the Kaisers and Czars of this world. The cross, the sword, the guillotine, the gulag and the firing squad do not represent the end. The spirit of Caesar is still around, but more importantly so is the Spirit of Christ. He is risen.  He is risen, indeed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Tis the season for Christmas carols, and one of the most beautiful of our carols asks the most important question of all: “What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” Christmas demands an answer to that question. Even with all the fanfare and frantic activity of the season, that question remains. Even though commercialism and secularism and political correctness try to push the question aside, the question still stands. In the stillness of a winter’s night, the question rings our loudly and insistently – who is this child? You know the carol’s answer: “This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherd’s guard and angels sing.” “Joy! Joy! For Christ is born. The babe, the son of Mary!” That is the true answer to the question – the baby is Christ the king. May you know the full joy of Christmas. Merry Christmas.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s a good time to be reminded about the true history of the holiday. Perhaps we should not be surprised that in an increasingly secular America, there’s confusion about the origins of Thanksgiving. Some kids are now actually taught that the Pilgrims held a feast to thank the Indians. Afraid of appearing too religious, some are now calling it “Turkey Day,” as if it all comes down to poultry. The facts speak for themselves: In 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated what they called “the goodness of God” as they feasted with local Indians. In 1789 President Washington declared the first national day of Thanksgiving—asking Americans to “unite in most humbly offering our prayer and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations.” So much for a secular holiday. These Americans knew to whom they were praying.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democrats’ midterm prospects continue to grow grimmer with every approval rating of Joe Biden. Voters remain focused on inflation, especially at the gas pump, and shortages at the grocery store more than any other issue. That applies especially to abortion, although Democrats have yet to realize it. Leaders of the party assumed that overturning Roe would result in a massive voter revolt. According to NBC News, Biden and his team believe that it will rescue them in the upcoming midterms. However, despite the leak of the Dobbs decision in May, the issue of abortion has not impacted any primaries over the last two months. Why? Even after the Supreme Court made the Roe revocation official, the abortion issue has remained a low priority to voters – as low as five percent in this week’s poll from Monmouth. Biden and Democratic leadership are trapped in the closed mindedness they like to accuse their opponents of. They have grown deaf to the real concerns of American households.  Their midterm roar may be the only way to restore a bit of hearing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court scored a major victory for both common sense and tolerance when it comes to private prayer in public places. Writing for a 6-3 majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that a high-school football coach’s prayer on the field after a game did not amount to an endorsement of religion by the school district, reversing his termination and lower-court rulings.  “The Constitution and the best of our traditions counsel mutual respect and tolerance,” Gorsuch wrote in Kennedy v Bremerton, “not censorship and suppression, for religious and nonreligious views alike.”  A simple and voluntary prayer of thanksgiving after the end of a school event neither harms nor compels anyone. Firing people over such a prayer harms and intimidates many. It shouldn’t take the Supreme Court to get schools and courts to recognize common sense, but thankfully, this time Gorsuch and a majority delivered a common-sense outcome that religious and non-religious Americans can live with.  That is true tolerance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Sunday is Easter, a great celebration day for Christians. The Church bears a mandate to proclaim the truth that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. The resurrected Lord gave the Church a sacred commission to take the gospel—the message of Christ’s victory over sin and death—throughout the world. So, as the Church gathers to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christians look back in thankfulness to that empty tomb and forward to the fulfillment of Christ’s purposes in us. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the promise of our resurrection from the dead, and of Christ’s total victory over sin and death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the very center of the Christian gospel. The empty tomb is full of power.  Happy Easter to all. May the joy of the resurrection be yours.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of you have no doubt tracked closely the recent statement from Terry McAuliffe, former governor and now candidate for governor of Virginia.  McAuliffe said in a debate, “I don't think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.” His statement of course raises the huge question: Who should determine the education of children? The parents or the professional elite? Our own nation has wrestled with this question and has—through the Supreme Court—answered the question very clearly. It was answered clearly in 1925. It was answered again in 1972. In that decision known as the Yoder decision,  the court—in a unanimous decision—said this, with clarity: “The child is not the mere creature of the state. Those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right coupled with the high duty to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.”  Let me repeat that key line: “The child is not the mere creature of the state.”  The child was not created by the state. The child belongs to parents as those lives are given to us by God. Keep that in mind: The child is not the mere creature of the state. Thanks be to God.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of two churches in California that were challenging orders coming from California’s Governor Gavin Newsom—orders that effectively shut down all indoor worship services for churches and other religious congregations in California. The 6-3 decision is huge in its impact. The big change came from the Chief Justice, John G. Roberts Jr. In May of last year, when we were looking at a church in Nevada, the court turned down its appeal by a vote of 5 to 4—with the Chief Justice among the five votes. So: What caused the Chief Justice of the United States to change his mind now? With reference to deference toward the states, he said, “deference, though broad, has its limits.” That limit must have been crossed somewhere between May of last year and February 5 this year, when the Chief Justice changed his mind. What it adds up to is a big win for religious liberty. We need to celebrate it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One silver lining in the dark coronavirus cloud is the revival of federalism, the old-fashioned idea that not every issue has to be decided in Washington. While most every policy issue—from education to health care and beyond—has traveled a one-way road from states and local governments to Washington, the coronavirus crisis rediscovered a leadership role for state and local government. Early on we learned that states like New York, California and Washington needed to address the crisis more quickly and their governors began to lead. In California, there were higher concentrations in Silicon Valley and San Francisco, so mayors and county commissioners took action. Important work was done well before there was a national consensus, and these laboratories of experimentation informed larger policies. This is exactly how the founders saw our government working. Hooray for the revival of federalism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the eve of Civil War, Abraham Lincoln concluded his First Inaugural Address with two sentences of incandescent eloquence: “Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” These words remind us that Lincoln—whose legacy we honor on President’s Day—became one of the greatest English prose writers in history, despite his background as an impoverished frontier boy with only a year of schooling. His rise constitutes one of the many American miracles that should inspire anyone willing to look with open eyes at our uniquely blessed past. Throughout the Civil War and till the day of his death, Lincoln followed the approach later recommended by Bismarck: Listen for God’s footsteps marching through history, then grab his coattails and hang on. May we see God’s design for America as we celebrate President’s Day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Tis the season for Christmas carols, and one of the most beautiful of our carols asks the most important question of all: “What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” Christmas demands an answer to that question. Even with all the fanfare and frantic activity of the season, that question remains. Even though commercialism and secularism and political correctness try to push the question aside, the question still stands. In the stillness of a winter’s night, the question rings out loudly and insistently – who is this child? You know the carol’s answer: “This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherd’s guard and angels sing.” “Joy! Joy! For Christ is born. The babe, the son of Mary!” That is the true answer to the question – the baby is Christ the King. May you know the full joy of Christmas. Merry Christmas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first 175 years of the nation, the House of Representatives impeached only one president, Andrew Johnson. Now in the last 57 years, it’s impeached two, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton, and it may be ready to impeach a third. Why the rise in impeachments? Because we forget that impeachment is extraordinary. The normal way to remove a president is by the people through elections. The extraordinary way is impeachment, with its Constitutional requirement of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Lacking political patience, we threaten to make the extraordinary now ordinary. Politics is an ugly business. Quid pro quos in foreign policy? They doubtless happen more than we think and, if we don’t like them, we have a chance to cast our vote in one year. But a case of high crimes and misdemeanors demanding an extraordinary remedy? I think not.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Sunday is Easter, a great celebration day for Christians. The Church bears a mandate to proclaim the truth that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. The resurrected Lord gave the Church a sacred commission to take the gospel—the message of Christ’s victory over sin and death—throughout the world. So, as the Church gathers to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christians look back in thankfulness to that empty tomb and forward to the fulfillment of Christ’s purposes in us. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the promise of our resurrection from the dead, and of Christ’s total victory over sin and death.The resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the very center of the Christian gospel. The empty tomb is full of power. Happy Easter to all. May the joy of the resurrection be yours.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could the transgender revolution really be fueled by a social dimension?—a social contagion? That’s what a current—and now very controversial—peer-reviewed study has found. The headline from the Economist in London was this, “Why are so many teenage girls appearing in gender clinics?” The author of the academic study discovered that there is a clear social dimension, a contagion of what's called gender dysphoria, particularly among adolescent girls and young women. So: What does it mean? It means the recent spike in transgender identity may be attributable in large measure to the influence of other young women in the same place at the same time within a definable set of relationships or going to similar places on the internet. You may have sensed this already by observation and intuition. Now: The academic research supports it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Tis the season for Christmas carols, and one of the most beautiful of our carols asks the most important question of all: “What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” Christmas demands an answer to that question. Even with all the fanfare and frantic activity of the season, that question remains. Even though commercialism and secularism and political correctness try to push the question aside, the question still stands. In the stillness of a winter’s night, the question rings out loudly and insistently – who is this child? You know the carol’s answer: “This, this is Christ the king, whom shepherd’s guard and angels sing.” “Joy! Joy! For Christ is born. The babe, the son of Mary!” That is the true answer to the question – the baby is Christ the King. May you know the full joy of Christmas. Merry Christmas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know that recent massive market sell-off?—The one that dropped over 1,000 points from the Dow in just 2 days? I was a reminder that –when it comes to the economy—we’re not out of the woods yet. And if Democrats win the mid-terms, we could get more shocks like we saw in early October. The polarized politics of our day, the mob tactics, and the attacks on the President and his party have dominated the news. I fear we’ve lost sight of the economic reasons to vote in November. The tax cut passed last year and boosted every sector of the economy. Republicans want to pass another one which could extend those gains for years. Democrats want to repeal the last one. Republicans want to unleash business; Democrats want to tighten the leash. The election is on us: If you’re interested in a strong economy and a strong stock market, you need to vote for growth policies in November.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California lawmaker withdraws controversial bill after discussions with religious leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.