National Columns

The Washington Post, beginning Nov. 1, 2019, will allow its syndicated columns to appear only in print. The columns will still be available as part of our e-edition newspaper online, but they will not be available as separate pieces on our website, ljworld.com. These columnists include George Will, David Ignatius, Michael Gerson and others. This does not affect other columnists like Leonard Pitts, Mona Charen, Connie Schultz and Mark Shields, who are not affiliated with the Washington Post.

Opinion: King Donald’s resemblance to King George III is striking

In the spring of 1775, the royal governor of Massachusetts, appointed by King George III, commanded 700 Redcoats to march to Lexington to suppress the colony’s Patriots. Almost exactly 250 years later, the American president ordered 700 Marines to Los Angeles to suppress California ...

Opinion: Extend the tax cuts? Sure, but don’t expect growth

President Donald Trump and many of his allies in Congress are making grand claims about the economic growth they say will result from the recently proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Trump has accused critics of not understanding the budget proposal, “especially the tremendous GROWTH that ...

Opinion: L.A. is not on fire, to Trump’s regret

The president is doing his best to inflame passions within and at California. Calling in the National Guard against the governor’s wishes is a provocation. Sending in Marines to add drama to his show is an insult as well as incitement. The Marines are not a fashion accessory. They are ...

Opinion: The Titanic Trump bill: full speed in Congress

Let me tell you the story of the star-crossed Republican Senate and House of Representatives. Republicans can’t cross the president and can’t compromise with Democrats. They are utterly useless as lawmakers, precariously perched on slim majorities. The Trump Republican plan for the ...

Opinion: Troop deployment won’t end well

“Here we go.” “I knew it would come.” “This won’t end well.” Those were my initial reactions to President Trump’s announcement that he had activated the California National Guard and to sources on Monday saying Marines would serve as backup. I’m not claiming much ...

Opinion: We are witnessing first stages of Trump’s police state

Now that Trump’s tariffs have been halted, his One Big Beautiful Bill has been stymied, and his multibillionaire tech bro has turned on him, how does he demonstrate his power? On Friday morning, federal agents from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of ...