David Banks
Commentary Editor
Culture & PoliticsDavid Banks has been involved with various aspects of the opinion pages and their online counterparts since 2005. Before that, he was primarily involved with the editing and production of local coverage. He joined the Star Tribune in 1994.
Latest from David Banks
Banks: On Jesse Jackson, and the never-ending pursuit of a better world
The civil rights leader died on Tuesday at 84.
February 17, 2026
Banks: We resisted. It should worry us that we had to.
And might need to again. The defense of democracy never ends, whether it’s protesting Operation Metro Surge or other dangers to our rights.
February 15, 2026
Banks: A majesty of a moment for ‘No Kings’
Saturday’s events showed how democracy should be. Of course, they were necessitated by our democracy as it is.
October 20, 2025
Banks: If we can’t pass gun laws, how about personal judgment?
Lacking roving bands of feral hogs, Minnesotans might be in a position to give up assault weapons.
September 21, 2025
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Banks: Why I write, how I edit — a reintroduction
A commentary editor’s thoughts on interpreting a messy world, including advice about submissions.
June 30, 2025
Banks: Can we keep the peace in Minneapolis?
“Terroristic” is a bad look for law enforcement of any level. “Reactionary” is a bad look for everyone else.
June 7, 2025
Banks: Reading a little — but not too much — into a papal selection
Can the Roman Catholic Church bring a traditional sensibility to modern concerns? Or vice versa?
May 8, 2025
Banks: Look what ICE is doing in your name
If immigration enforcement was what you wanted, did it look like this?
April 5, 2025
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Banks: Trump orders up a crypto reserve. This is OK.
I’ll take the “what could go right?” approach on this one.
March 30, 2025
Banks: ‘You call that customer service?’ — Part two
A summary of reader responses to — and further thoughts about — a column that connected.
January 23, 2025
Banks: Here’s SALT in your eye
The State and Local Tax deduction is a bargaining chip in extending the 2017 tax cuts. Just know it’s not all about big earners.
January 16, 2025
Banks: You call that customer service?
Beyond the frustration over health care elevated by a CEO’s shooting, of all things, is the breakdown of that basic social contract.
January 11, 2025
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