Theodore Roosevelt didn’t plan to become president. In 1901, after President William McKinley was assassinated, the 42-year-old vice president was sworn in—becoming the youngest person ever to occupy the White House. Many in the Republican Party had hoped to sideline Roosevelt’s reformist energy by placing him in a quiet, symbolic role. But Roosevelt had other ideas. He brought his convictions...

This week, I’m focusing on what may be the most endangered quality in public life: integrity. Over the next 5 days, I’ll spotlight five U.S. Presidents who, when faced with defining moments, chose character over calculation. These men didn’t just hold office—they upheld a moral compass, often at personal or political cost. Their stories remind us of what principled leadership...

Beginning Monday, I’ll be highlighting five U.S. Presidents who–when confronted with defining choices–led with integrity instead of expedience. These presidents didn’t just occupy the Oval Office; they embodied the values that give leadership its true meaning. Their choices remind us that integrity is not a political strategy—it’s a standard. Today, however, I begin with a new global leader—one who speaks...

I usually keep my focus on issues here at home—challenges that affect us as Americans. But with the world now turning its attention to the Catholic Church and the anticipation of a new Pope, I’ve been reading and reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis—and what his message might mean for all of us, especially in this divided moment. Pope...

I’ve never posted a story in its entirety from another source—until now. Last night’s 60 Minutes episode, titled “The Rule of Law,” is so vital to understanding where the country stands for both Republicans and Democrats at this moment that I feel a responsibility to share it with you in full. I could simply summarize or provide highlights, but I...

John F. Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage highlighted eight U.S. senators who defied party pressure and public opinion to do what they believed was right. Today, in stark contrast, we face a political landscape where courage has been relegated to the history books, and truth is too often replaced by rationalizations. A reckless president is dismantling the norms and values that...

For all our progress as a nation, one obstacle remains stubbornly front and center: prejudice. Basketball star Blair Stevens—a trans athlete—is a reminder of how change still challenges us. I struggle to understand it, too. But when I saw it in the broader context of America’s long history of prejudice, my resistance to change…changed. Watching an old Charlie Chan movie...

After nearly four decades at CBS News, Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, stepped down on April 22, 2025. His reason was simple and direct: editorial independence, once a given, was no longer assured. Owens’ departure follows mounting legal and political pressure, including a $20 billion lawsuit by former President Donald Trump and uncertainty over CBS’s sale to...

On September 24, 2015, Pope Francis made history as the first pontiff to address a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress. Nearly a decade later, his message still resonates with clarity and urgency. Francis reminded lawmakers that public service is more than legislation, it is a moral occupation: “You are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow...

I liked Francis—a lot. How could you not? He spoke plainly, with sincerity and purpose—and people listened. His words weren’t wrapped in rhetoric; they were rooted in truth. In a time when power is too often confused with principle, Pope Francis led with something far more enduring… character. From the start, Francis made it clear that his papacy would be...