Emile Doak

If we want to turn this country around, we need better elites, formed by the great intellectual patrimony of Western civilization. And if we want leaders to be formed well, we need strong institutions up to the task. We need places like @TACollege. I'm thrilled to be on board!

As I’m preparing to head back to Thomas Aquinas College (arguably the best place on earth) I’m reminded of the paradox that defines it. The education there is about as impractical as one could imagine by modern standards. There are no majors. The entire curriculum is a sustained immersion in the Christian and Western intellectual tradition. There are no courses in entrepreneurship, leadership, or “real-world skills.” What they do have is an uncompromising devotion to the seminar, the text, and the discipline of reasoned inquiry. And yet, almost without exception, their graduates are among the most employable people I’ve ever encountered. They can think clearly, argue persuasively, read closely, and learn quickly. In a world obsessed with skills training, they have mastered something far more durable: the ability to actually think.

One of the things I so admired about Charlie Kirk is that he didn't have a jealous or envious bone in his body. I'm not sure whether this is something innate or cultivated. You see it in young kids from an early age--some kids just feel a natural jubilation when other people do well or succeed, and others don't. Charlie just rooted for everyone, supported them, cheered them on, and encouraged them to see the possibilities they couldn't see in themselves. All of us should follow that example. Whatever their politics, mistrust anyone who's naturally envious of the success of others. A lot of the posthumous attacks on Charlie are rooted in envy. There's a reason envy is one of the seven deadly sins. catholic.com/magazine/print…

As Americans, we are witnesses in just the past few weeks to a vicious pattern of political and social disorder. At Annunciation Catholic Parish in Minneapolis, the killings of Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel, two innocent children. In Charlotte, the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. And now the political assassination of Charlie Kirk, known for his commitment to civil and rational discourse. We entrust each of these victims to God, our Heavenly Father and author of every human life, and his son Jesus Christ, the reason for our supernatural hope. What we see unfolding in our nation is a vicious pattern of hatreds rooted in the rejection of God, of the dignity of the human person, and the sanctity of the family. We can eradicate these ills only through a firm reliance on God, through a deeper devotion to Christ and the Gospel, through a sincere love for persons reflected in law, and through a renewed commitment to justice and public order. We are living through a perilous moment. Our challenge is not only one of partisan disagreement, law, and policy, but in a deeper way our challenge is to uphold the central goods of American political life: of faith, of families, and of a national commitment to live together in harmony as brothers and sisters.

I’m stunned right now. Just stunned. I had just finished a candidate meeting when I saw the texts on my phone. I opened up X and saw the horrific video. My immediate instinct was to pray. My real measure of the man came when we were both selected as 2021 Lincoln Fellows at the Claremont Institute. I was skeptical at first, but over those ten days, he absolutely blew me away. Back then, American Principles Project was still finding its footing. During introductions, I said I was President of an organization building “The NRA for Families.” Charlie’s head snapped up. The moment the session ended, he made a beeline for me, telling me he loved the concept and wanted to help. And he did. He gave us a free booth at AmFest when we had no money. He gave us a platform on his show when few others would. He never asked for anything in return. He was brilliant, honest, and good. When my dad passed away, my only prayer was, “Thank you God, for Bobby!” Tonight, it’s the same prayer. Thank you God for Charlie Kirk. He is a martyr now. His death is a horrific message sent by the enemies of freedom. We all woke up in a world where the stakes are higher than ever—a world where they will kill you for standing up for what you believe in. In the face of this evil, our first response must be to turn to God. We must pray for the soul of a man who was larger than life. We must pray for the movement he built and the countless patriots he inspired who now feel a target on their backs. Please, join me in prayer. Pray for Charlie’s family—for his beautiful wife, Erika, and their two young children. Pray for the entire Turning Point team who lost their leader. Pray for everyone in this movement who woke up to a new reality.  Pray, pray, pray. And more than anything—Thank God for Charlie Kirk.

History has vindicated Pat Buchanan—resoundingly, undeniably, time and again. His warnings about globalism, about the hollowing out of our industries, about the dangers of endless wars and cultural collapse, have proven prescient. And his courage, his willingness to endure mockery and scorn in defense of his principles, should be a lesson for every American who still believes in this country’s promise. Awarding Pat Buchanan the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as @RepRileyMoore and I asked @POTUS, would not just honor a man—though doing so would be long overdue. It would also send an unmistakable message that the era of conservative timidity is over, that the movement which once censored and sidelined its boldest voices is gone for good.

While calling for a renewed commitment to the American family to open #natcon, @KevinRobertsTX says we can’t just sit around and complain about the state of our schools. “We must build new schools for our kids.” …places like @ChelseaAcadVA! dailysignal.com/2025/09/02/1-t…

I'd add this report from Farmville, VA, at the height of the "Rich Men North of Richmond" phenomenon a couple years back, which remains among my favorite things we published at TAC: theamericanconservative.com/made-in-farmvi…

Do magazines even need to exist anymore? A tweet gets more reach than an essay, faster, with less effort.  Yes, they do. Forget magazines in the abstract, make it concrete. Here are ten pieces we published at TAC that show the value of medium. These could not have been tweets.

Buchanan didn’t just predict the challenges we face today; he laid the intellectual foundation for the America First resurgence that has redefined our politics. From his time as a speechwriter in the Nixon administration to his founding of The American Conservative in 2002, Buchanan never stopped fighting for America’s forgotten men and women. That’s the reason I volunteered for his campaign in 1992, and that’s why today I’m eager to recommend him for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Honoring him would not only recognize his extraordinary contributions but also send a powerful message: the era of globalism is over, and the future belongs to those who put America first.

“We have forgotten that America is more than her gross national product. She is more than the world’s largest economy. She is more than the sum of all we buy and sell. She is our country, our home..." Patrick J. Buchanan is a hero. Let's give this man the Medal of Freedom.

Yet another reason I removed myself from organ donor lists….

This Saturday! Join us!

…reading after struggling to repair my lawn mower. Great piece as always from @herandrews

Shifting the enforcement focus toward employers would strengthen the admin's political position. Perdue execs and pot farmers are far less sympathetic targets than day laborers. Throwing the book at them = mass deportation without handing an easy win to the Democrat media.

Another good reason to get your kids into faithful schools like @ChelseaAcadVA…

Excited to be a part of this important event!

Just a couple weeks away— Spend the day (or weekend!) in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and hear how classical schools should confront the challenges of modern tech! Complimentary child care! @ClareMorellEPPC @JonAskonas @jareddhayden @emlwaters @WBLittlejohn

Excited for this! Join us at @ChelseaAcadVA!