Townhall Review | Commentaries

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faces massive backlash, after he helped ensure passage of the bill to continue funding the government. Most Democrats favored a government shutdown. To his credit, Schumer realized a shutdown posed risks. Democrats might have been blamed for it. And with a shutdown, Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE could have decided what constitutes an essential government service. But the Democrat outrage against Schumer is so severe that he’s had to cancel appearances on his book tour. The entire episode highlights the reason Democrats’ approval ratings are in the tank. Regular Democratic voters, like most people in the country, believe in common sense and moderation. But both the energy and the money in the Democratic Party is with the far left. They’re the ones running the party . . . … right over the cliff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-20

02:00

Does anyone recall how government officials shut down any discussion of the origins of COVID-19? How government pressured Big Tech firms into censoring dissent over pandemic policies such as shutdowns, vaccine mandates, and masking requirements? Remember how the mainstream media acted as enforcers with their politicized “fact checks” ridiculing those asking questions and demanding evidence? Of course you do. But the New York Times does not remember. In an absurd passive-voice column, the paper claims to have been “badly misled” on the origin of COVID as a leak from a laboratory. It has taken the Times five years to admit what had been patently obvious within weeks of the outbreak. Why did the media circle the wagons around The Science®? Because The Science® helped cause the pandemic and didn't want to get held accountable for it. And media outlets wanted to maintain the political power of Anthony Fauci, Francis Collins, and others more than they wanted to report the truth. We are long overdue for a COVID reckoning—both in the bureaucracies and in the media. And the New York Times is trying to exempt itself from scrutiny. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-19

02:10

An Obama-appointed judge just sided with criminals over Americans—again. Judge James Boasberg—from our District Court in D.C.—tried to block the deportation of Venezuelan nationals with suspected ties to violent crime syndicates, despite President Trump’s clear authority under the Alien Enemies Act. This law, on the books since 1798, allows the President to remove foreign nationals from hostile nations. But Boasberg decided that keeping potential gang members—like those from Tren de Aragua—inside our borders was somehow the better call. Like so many others in the activist bench brigade, this judge is playing politics with our security. He should be overruled immediately—and frankly, impeached for this disgraceful stunt. America deserves judges who uphold the Constitution, not wannabe lawmakers in black robes. This will not stand. The appeals court will ensure that. And if not, the Supreme Court certainly will. This isn’t justice. It’s insanity. And if we don’t stop it, America won’t just have open borders—we’ll have open season on law-abiding citizens.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-18

01:28

The Democrats are struggling to find their political footing. From their behavior at President Trump’s congressional speech to silly social media videos, they’re flailing and failing. The whole left-wing project has been like a three-legged stool with three main sources of support: legacy media, government-funded nonprofits, and the politicians themselves. But now, trust in legacy media is at a fifty-year low. Americans have new sources of information, with new voices setting the narrative. Thanks to DOGE, we’ve learned that lots of our tax money has gone to nonprofits pushing the leftist agenda. Cutting off those funds eliminates a key source of Democratic support. That leaves the just politicians. And now that they’re on their own, it’s clearer than ever just how much the media and taxpayer-funded nonprofits propped up the American left. It’s not a pretty picture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-14

02:00

In this episode, Seth Leibsohn welcomes Andrew C. McCarthy, a respected legal educator and former federal prosecutor, to discuss the case of Mahmud Khalil, a former Columbia student facing deportation for alleged terrorist activity. McCarthy argues that Khalil's actions, such as mediating between protesters and the university, go beyond protected free speech and may constitute extortion or material support for terrorism, providing legal grounds for deportation despite claims of First Amendment protections. 👉Follow Seth Leibsohn on X 👉Follow Andrew McCarthy on XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-13

32:47

The House has now passed the “Continuing Resolution” unveiled by Speaker Johnson and President Trump endorsed this past weekend.  Bravo. I don’t know about all that’s in the 99-page bill save for the beginning of a defense build-up, but it will allow the government to stay open while Donald Trump and the GOP in the House and Senate figure out the budget and reconciliation package or packages—there can be one or two. I am in favor of whatever the GOP passes just as I will support the president’s approaches on trade and peace negotiations for at least year one.  Because I’m a party man. Always have been. Always will be. Parties are the only way to advance political agendas and, in the end, the Republican Party is the only way to protect the Constitution as the Democrats want to pack the Supreme Court and crush the rule of law in the process of doing so.  The Senate should now move quickly to pass the CR and keep the government open.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-13

02:05

“Fight for another day,” Donald Trump announced, “when the timing is right.” When one of the most pugnacious presidents of modern American history urges strategic patience, we should listen. Republicans hate continuing resolutions. They want to return to regular-order budgeting and real spending cuts. All of that is understandable, but we should look for the best ground on which to fight – and a midyear budget fight that stalemated months ago isn’t it. The better ground will come as soon as this budget gets finished. Unlike last year, Republicans have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House. They also have the opportunity in the next budget to use reconciliation bills to achieve real reductions, both through DOGE and closing out those spending programs that Congress must approve. This CR does offer a token reduction of spending, plus increased funds for the Pentagon and ICE’s efforts to ramp up deportations of criminal illegal aliens.  In short, the only way to lose is to fail to unite. Pass the CR and prepare for the real fight ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-12

02:05

This is Seth Leibsohn for Townhall.com Two points of pride come from reading a recent profile of Sebastian Gorka in the Free Press.  Dr. Gorka is the Senior Advisor for counter-terrorism at the National Security Council and, like President Trump on so many issues, has hit the ground running.  •    Point one: Dr. Gorka was selected by a president who was elected to better protect America, Americans, and her allies. And:•    Two: Dr. Gorka entered this role after years of writing and thinking through issues of American security and terrorism, and most immediately from Salem radio. Dr. Gorka’s position is that of Richard Clarke’s, subject of fawning attention under Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, in the late ’90s and early 2000s.  It’s too much to expect the same level of admiration for Dr. Gorka from today’s media—but he more than deserves it. Already, with Gorka’s guidance, the US has removed 23 terrorists from the earth, including an al-Qaeda leader in Syria.  He is changing our national security modus operandi from monitoring to action, making us, and the world, a safer place.   Thank you President Trump and Dr. Gorka.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-11

02:15

Ever since its founding, Israel has never been allowed to actually finish a war to the point of ultimate surrender from its enemies. Even after the Six-Day War in 1967, the Arab League—unlike the Axis after World War II—refused to surrender: the League issued the famous “Three Nos,” no peace, no negotiations, and no recognition with Israel. Donald Trump broke that irredentism with the Abraham Accords, only to see it set aside by the Biden administration. In her fighting for her very survival, Israel has too often succumbed to world pressure, thinking that if it did let up on its ultimate campaigns for the destruction of its enemies, opinion would swing its way. But Israel will be hated by implacable enemies and their leftist, Islamist, and other radical supporters regardless of what it does, unless or until it disappears, from the River to the Sea. Israel needs to stop thinking world opinion will support it if it engages in half-measures.  It hasn’t and won’t.   Israel just needs to win the war to an unconditional and permanent surrender.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-10

02:00

The House Judiciary Committee just held hearings on so-called “Sanctuary Cities,” bringing in various mayors trying to justify their policies I say “so-called sanctuary cities” because that is the Orwellian term for what should be called “nullification cities.”  These mayors are nullifying federal law.  Liberals used to oppose such doctrines in the name of protecting all of our civil rights—recall Martin Luther King specifically denouncing Alabama Governor George Wallace in his “I Have a Dream” speech for exactly that.  In our republican form of government, localities don’t get to veto federal law, not on behalf of racial segregation and not on behalf of illegal immigrants thwarting the law.  James Madison called this “a fatal inlet of anarchy.” Mayors deciding which federal laws to enforce, and which to stymie, is just that: anarchy. If they don’t like the federal law, their duty is to try and change it, not stand in the way of enforcing it. These mayors are not heroes, they are anarchists proving to be little more than a law unto themselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-07

02:00

President addressed the nation this week—and continued to drive home his agenda: •    Broad tax cuts.•    Deregulation.•    “Drill baby drill.”•    Tariffs to balance trade and push partners toward fairness. •    And, of course, reinvesting in defense. Trump is well on his way to achieving all of these bold ambitious projects, but we’ve got to trust the process—it’s not going to be instant. Keynesian economics and Marxist looters left us with $37 trillion debt, a tangled Deep State, outdated systems and Democrats promising more spending…to solve everything.  Well, we know Trump’s approach is entirely different—shrinking the state, empowering producers and building sustainable growth—it reverses all those things.  Bottom Line: Leaders like Reagan, Milei, and Trump—they harness bold, tested reforms to tame bureaucracy and unlock prosperity—but it’s patience that yields the prize. It’s sound medicine, but it’s not going to heal overnight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-06

01:49

In the aftermath of the fiery Oval Office meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky, one thing is clear: Zelensky simply isn’t a fit or responsible leader of a small country that depends on the United States for its literal survival. Compare Zelensky’s behavior to Benjamin Netanyahu’s. The Biden administration demanded ceasefires, suspended arms shipments, and withheld weapons. The administration berated Israel constantly for collateral damage.  In contrast, Zelensky been celebrated across America and the entire West. Yet he still couldn’t hide his obvious disdain for Trump, or keep from behaving rudely to the president of his patron country in our White House. In his arrogance, Zelensky put his own sense of pride and entitlement above the lives and well-being of his people, who are being mindlessly slaughtered without a realistic path to victory. He’s behaving like an egotist—and he’s hurting his cause.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-05

02:05

Karoline Leavitt—President Trump’s Press Secretary—announced last week that The White House would now be determining which reporters make up the “press pool” covering the president. Eugene Daniels, the current president of the White House Correspondents Association said the move, “suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps.”  Daniels’ assertions are absurd—they have no basis in the Constitution or the First or 14th amendments.  So why the outrage? It is the expected reaction of a guild losing its right to license its membership. The audience for legacy media is collapsing, and its guild members shudder whenever another block in its wall of privilege protecting the remnants of its influence falls.  The country doesn’t notice and doesn’t mind what happens to the WHCA.  They want to hear from the president, not from the filters on the president.  Press on with fairness as your guide, President Trump. Press on with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung. Avoid the Constitution’s third rails and all will be well.  Mix it up.  Bravo!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03-03

01:56

Approximately 11,000 homes and an unknown number of businesses and many other things like churches and structures were lost in the Palisades and Eaton fires in the Los Angeles city and counties this January. If the fires of 2018 are any guide, those who lost their homes are looking at a long and winding road to return to them—if ever.  Governor Newsom has asked Trump for $40 billion in relief funds. The president and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum ought to say no to that and instead seek from Congress in the budget and reconciliation process underway, say, half of the $40 billion amount requested. But, a Congress that provides aid should also demand and express in detailed language a preemption of all state, regional and local regulations governing the burn area of these fires. Goodbye to the commissars of the Coastal Commission and the other bureaucrats! The legislation ought to vest sole land use authority over those areas in the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary of the Interior. I have more details on this in my column over at FoxNews.com. It’s an opportunity for Donald Trump that could make California golden again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

02-27

02:16

Former Senator Robert Kennedy was oft-quoted as saying: “Some men see things as they are and say, ‘why?’ I dream things that never were and say, ‘why not?’”  Today, this sentiment describes the new Trump administration perfectly—in what it’s undertaking, in what it is disrupting, and in who it is hiring.  Donald Trump is not committed to changing spokes on worn-down wheels on old buggies to get us where we need to and should be—but changing vehicles. The Trump administration is upending the old saw that “this is how it’s always been done,” saying, instead: how we have lived is not how we have to live, how government has worked is not how it has to work.  As for those condemning the likes of our change agents as unqualified—spare us.  You, who gave us Rachel Levine, Sam Brinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Rochelle Walensky, and defended the well-being of a mind-addled Commander in Chief. You have no credibility. Change is in the air and it’s a fresh breath, much needed.  Just in time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.