Through the Dobson Policy & Culture Center, we focus on issues related to righteousness in the culture, such as the sanctity of human life, the God-ordained institution of marriage, parental rights, freedom of religion, and other liberties guaranteed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Every third week of January since 1983, a person and cause have been honored. In 1983, President Reagan signed the Martin Luther King Act, which set aside the third Monday of January to honor the civil rights leader. The following year, Reagan declared the third Sunday of January as National Sanctity of Human Life Day to recognize the humanity and personhood of the unborn child.
The Heritage Foundation, a major conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., is rolling out a set of public policy ideas aimed at encouraging marriage and childbirth, both of which are in serious decline. The agenda is expansive, ranging from larger tax credits for children to taking on the cultural malaise that discourages marriage and childbirth.
This is an important year in American history—the 250th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. Major celebrations and ceremonies are planned all over America. They began on New Year’s Eve here in Washington, D.C., where the Washington Monument, named after our first president, dominates the skyline. As night fell on December 31, 2025, a spectacular multimedia display of patriotic themes and images was projected onto the monument. Even in divided Washington, D.C., there was praise for this inspirational celebration of American history.
The year 2026 promises to be an extraordinary one for America and for every patriot who loves our country. This is the year we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Declaration, in my view, is the most extraordinary, significant political document ever written.
Our nation’s capital is joining the rest of America in celebrating Christmas. Carol and I were blessed to represent the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) at one of the White House Christmas parties a few days ago. It was packed with various “VIPs,” including congressmen, corporate CEOs, and media talking heads. I was surprised when President Trump gave me a “shout-out” as he and the First Lady retired for the evening. JDFI’s reputation is strong in this White House. The National Christmas Tree stands proudly on the National Mall in Washington, where loads of tourists snap photos. A few weeks ago, President Trump dedicated the tree, and First Lady Melania Trump turned on the lights. In his remarks, the president used the moment to present the truth that all Christians believe: Jesus is the Son of God, and through Him we can receive forgiveness and eternal life. There was none of the usual political correctness that has replaced the Christ Child in too many Christmas events. The president will issue the traditional Christian proclamation the week of December 25, and I have no doubt that he will make it clear that Jesus is the reason for the season. The ...
The massacre of Jews this week on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia has sent shockwaves across the global Jewish community. Sydney’s Jews had gathered at the iconic beach to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah—the “Festival of Lights.” The celebration quickly turned into darkness, death, and suffering when two radical Islamists launched a terror attack. This father and son team sprayed the beach with bullets, killing fifteen and wounding forty others (one of the gunmen also was killed by police). Among the dead were children, at least two rabbis, and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor.
Earlier this month, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participated in the annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in President’s Park. This event has become part of our “civic religion.” Its Christian roots are obvious, but the gospel of Jesus Christ has faded a bit into the background. As America has become more diverse, a consensus has grown suggesting it would be inappropriate to be too overtly Christian at the tree lighting. In December 2024, then-President Biden lit the tree and dedicated it to “A Season of Peace and Light.” He spoke of “the peace we feel as we pause and reflect on our blessings and the light—the light we see as we gather with loved ones that cherish our time together.” He then referred to a phrase in the Christmas carol “O Holy Night” that says, “His law is love, and His gospel is peace.” The “His” in the song obviously refers to Jesus, but apparently saying the name of Christ would be in bad taste in diverse America. At the very end, God did get a shout-out. Biden ended with the exhortation, “And may God bless you all. And may God protect—may God ...
Millions of Americans across our great country gathered with family last week for Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoyed all of God’s blessings. Memories were made that will last a lifetime. Sadly, for one West Virginia family, Thanksgiving will hereafter forever remind them of 2025—the year their precious daughter was assassinated in Washington, D.C., by an Islamist terrorist who should not have been in America.
All of us at the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) are looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving, as you are. I love this uniquely American holiday. But it’s not just a day off work or a day devoted to parades and football (not even to turkeys and pumpkin pies!). As the name implies, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks to God for the blessings we enjoy.
One of Dr. James Dobson’s top priorities was increasing Christian participation in the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship. He knew that every major problem facing America would not be solved without the active involvement of Christian Americans. Followers of Jesus Christ must be in the public square, offering biblical insight on issues including parental rights, racial reconciliation, economic justice, and ending corruption.
