Protecting the president of the United States is unquestionably one of the federal government’s most important responsibilities. But that responsibility should never make the safety of everyone traveling with the president an afterthought. We learned last week that concerns about a possible Iranian assassination plot prompted extraordinary security measures as President Donald Trump prepared to … Continue reading Protecting the president shouldn’t mean endangering everyone else
Hey political leaders: Spare us the outrage when you built the playbook
There’s a question hanging in the air right now: how far is too far when we criticize public officials? Here’s the part people don’t like: if you step into the public arena, you don’t get to control the volume of the criticism that comes your way. You don’t get to demand civility while modeling the … Continue reading Hey political leaders: Spare us the outrage when you built the playbook
Where is the immigration plan?
With the relentless deluge of chaotic headlines, Americans are being confronted daily with disturbing images and conflicting narratives about immigration enforcement. On TV and social media, ICE agents are increasingly seen as a shadowy, unaccountable police force—conducting raids, detentions and removals with little explanation of the broader strategy behind them. While the intensity of these … Continue reading Where is the immigration plan?
Conservatives, it’s time to demand better from the GOP
I first started writing a conservative opinion column during my days as editor of the Enid News & Eagle in the early 2000s. At the time, my writing came from a traditional conservative perspective, meant to counter what I saw as the excesses of the left in the wake of the Clinton presidency, the disputed … Continue reading Conservatives, it’s time to demand better from the GOP
The 250th anniversary of the United States deserves better than what we just saw
The recent attempt to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army brought something else into sharp focus: we are just one year away from July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It should be a moment of national unity and pride. But if the June 14 parade was … Continue reading The 250th anniversary of the United States deserves better than what we just saw
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has traditional elements, but still highlights growing rift between traditionalists and Trump-era populism
The rhetoric around President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has been pretty provocative – particularly for Democrats and left-leaning Americans; however, the House’s narrow passage of the bill on May 22 does offer several aspects that traditional, non-MAGA Republicans will view positively. The bill provides certain provisions that align with long-standing conservative principles. First is the … Continue reading ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ has traditional elements, but still highlights growing rift between traditionalists and Trump-era populism
It’s time to decisively end this third-term conversation
Any notion that a second-term president can run for a third term should end right now. For a couple of weeks since President Donald Trump said he “wasn’t joking” about potentially seeking a third term, the media and political pundits have actually been engaging conversations about the prospect of such a thing happening. The media … Continue reading It’s time to decisively end this third-term conversation
Trump’s 2nd term unfolds as predicted: How Americans can stay engaged and informed
The initial days of President Donald Trump’s second term are occurring just as promised by those who, prior to the election, tried to warn the electorate that they should believe what they had already seen and heard from Trump’s previous presidency and his 2024 campaign. In rapid-fire fashion, the president is implementing drastic changes and … Continue reading Trump’s 2nd term unfolds as predicted: How Americans can stay engaged and informed
Republican lawmakers working to ensure a successful term for Trump this time around
For many Americans, the second term of Donald J. Trump is a de ja vu moment. The 47th president took the oath of office on Jan. 20 and has begun his second non-consecutive term with a whirlwind of promises and executive orders. There’s no doubt Trump’s first term was marked by quite a bit of … Continue reading Republican lawmakers working to ensure a successful term for Trump this time around
From Blue to Red: Republicans became the voice of the working class
Pundits across the country have weighed in the last couple of weeks about why the Democrats lost the 2024 presidential election so spectacularly. To say the results came as a surprise – to both conservative and liberal voters alike – is an understatement. However, it’s safe to say that in recent years, the Republican Party … Continue reading From Blue to Red: Republicans became the voice of the working class
Cindy Allen 