Sean Whelan

Washington Correspondent

Hats for sale on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York

Exhilarating NYC mayoral race goes down to the wire

As voters go to the polls to elect the next mayor of New York City - rarely have municipal politics anywhere in the 21st century been this exhilarating, or attracted so much attention.

US • 23 hrs

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 2: People vote in the mayoral election on the last day of early voting at Southbridge Tower II on November 2, 2025 in the Manhattan borough in New York City. Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani remains t

Millions of Americans to go back to the polls - sort of

It is election time in the US with four electoral contests that have national significance. RTÉ's Washington Correspondent Sean Whelan looks ahead at what to expect in tomorrow's contests and what it might mean for the Democrats and for the Trump administration.

Analysis and Comment • 03 Nov

US President Donald Trump, wearing a white shirt, red tie and dark suit, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is wearing a white shirt, navy tie and navy suit. The background is dark.

What now for China-US trade tensions?

While the most important meeting of US President Donald Trump's four-day Asia tour ended with no formal press briefing and no formal deal signing, he insisted that it was "very successful".

Analysis and Comment • 30 Oct

Not much fiction left in current 'rise of the machines'

It was a case of "drones with everything" at the recent Association of the US Army exhibition in Washington: unmanned aerial vehicles were everywhere to be found, reflecting the revolution in warfare that has happened over the past three-and-a-half years in Ukraine.

World • 24 Oct

People participate in a "No Kings" national day of protest in Boston, Massachusetts

'No Kings' protest driven by profoundly American impulse

It's clear the 'No Kings' protests in the US at the weekend were cumulatively very large, and likely bigger than the original 'No Kings' protest in June, so the indications are that the movement is growing, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 21 Oct

Thousands challenge Trump policies in 'No Kings' rallies

More than 2,500 demonstrations have taken place across the United States, to express opposition to the policies of US President Donald Trump.

US • 19 Oct

A week is a very long time in politics in Trump's America

Normally one is inclined to avoid clichés like the plague. But sometimes you just need to latch onto one.

Analysis and Comment • 18 Oct

Cargo containers are stacked at a Container Port

War, Chinese trade curbs threaten world economy - Donohoe

The Minster for Finance has warned that the restrictions China has placed on exports of rare earths and other minerals used in advanced manufacturing could create a shock to global economic activity.

Business • 17 Oct

The US budget row that's not about the budget

As the US government is mostly in shutdown because the fiscal appropriation authority has not been passed in the US Senate, Sean Whelan looks at what might play out next.

Analysis and Comment • 06 Oct

Donald Trump (L) greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House

Hamas given a take-it-or-leave-it offer by US

Now it's over to Hamas, who have been given a take-it-or-leave-it that some are already calling a surrender document, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 30 Sep