French has authored several books,[7] including the non-fiction Divided We Fall (2020).[16][17]
French is a former senior editor of The Dispatch,[18] and occasionally a contributing writer for The Atlantic. French is a distinguished visiting professor of public policy at Lipscomb University, his alma mater.[19]
In December 2019, French joined The Dispatch's Advisory Opinions biweekly legal podcast as a permanent guest contributor alongside host, Sarah Isgur.[20]
In August 2017, French was one of several co-authors of the Nashville Statement, which affirmed "that it is sinful to approve of homosexual immorality or transgenderism and that such approval constitutes an essential departure from Christian faithfulness and witness."[22] The statement was criticized by pro-LGBTQ Christians and LGBTQ rights activists,[23][24] as well as by several conservative religious figures.[25][26]
In November 2022, French announced that he had "changed his mind" on the legal recognition of same-sex marriage, although stating he was still morally opposed to it. He wrote that his "reasoning tracked my lifelong civil libertarian beliefs" and that:[27]
Millions of Americans have formed families and live their lives in deep reliance on Obergefell being good law. It would be profoundly disruptive and unjust to rip out the legal superstructure around which they've ordered their lives.[27]
In earlier writings for National Review, he described a young transgender woman as a "man" who is "on the verge of mutilating himself" and wrote critically of what he called "transgender entitlement."[30][31]
French briefly considered entering the 2016 U.S. presidential race, citing his strong moral objections to U.S. Republican Party presumptive nominee Donald Trump. He ultimately decided that he had neither the name recognition nor the financial support to mount a viable campaign.[34]
Attacks by the alt-right
In 2016 French, his wife, and his family were the subject of online attacks when he criticized then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and the alt-right. French was bombarded with hateful tweets, including an image of his daughter in a gas chamber.[35]
Dispute with Sohrab Ahmari
A dispute between French and conservative New York Post editor Sohrab Ahmari broke out in the summer of 2019 as a result of the publication of Ahmari's polemical First Things article entitled "Against David French-ism."[36] The dispute centered on their differing opinions on how conservatives should approach cultural and political debate and issues, with Ahmari arguing for a more ideologically firm approach against French's views.[37][38]
Pluralism
French believes that pluralism and classical liberalism are essential to a nation's success.[39] He is listed on the New Pluralism website as a field partner, and specifically as a Founding Field Builder.[40]
Until early 2024, David French was a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a staunchly conservative denomination that upholds the traditional definition of marriage and the inerrancy of Scripture. Despite formerly sharing these theological foundations, French faced increasing friction with his congregation and the denomination at large because of his positions on political and legal issues. At the heart of the conflict lies his advocacy for civil and religious pluralism; while maintaining a traditional moral view of marriage, he publicly supported legal protections for same-sex unions in order to ensure religious and civil liberties for all citizens in a diverse society. This stance, combined with his outspoken opposition to what he describes as Christian nationalism, earned him intense personal attacks and a hostile environment within his local church. As a result, French and his family decided to leave their Nashville congregation in order to practice their faith without facing antagonism.[44]
