Sean Whelan

Washington Correspondent

A Philadelphia introduction: Tim Walz enters the race

The Minnesota governor's reputation as a good communicator was on the line last night – a big introduction to the US nation for a politician hardly known outside his home state, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 07 Aug 24

It is less than 100 days until the US goes to the polls to elect it's next president

US elections - what are the polls saying now?

Although it is only two weeks since Joe Biden withdrew from the race for the White House, Washington Correspondent Sean Whelan writes that there are already polls to reflect Kamala Harris facing Donald Trump in the 5 November contest.

Analysis and Comment • 05 Aug 24

US President Joe Biden announced he is dropping out of his re-election battle with Donald Trump

Time against Democrats to pick nominee in wild campaign

Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential contest was sudden, but not unexpected.

Analysis and Comment • 22 Jul 24

Joe Biden occasionally strayed into long, rambling answers

Biden gaffes matter in states with razor-thin margins

Joe Biden is facing a tipping point, and with razor-thin margins in key battleground states, gaffes such as calling Volodymyr Zelensky "President Putin" matter, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 12 Jul 24

Joe Biden speaks to 'This Week' anchor George Stephanopoulos (Pic: ABC handout)

Biden says only 'Lord Almighty' could oust him from race

US President Joe Biden has insisted he will not drop out of the presidential election campaign, dismissing concerns about his health and his bid for re-election, saying only the Lord Almighty could convince him he should step aside.

US • 06 Jul 24

Molly Martens Corbett was released from custody at North Carolina Correctional Institution outside Raleigh

Molly Martens Corbett and Tom Martens leave prison in US

Molly Martens Corbett and Tom Martens have both been released from prison in North Carolina, having completed the remainder of their sentences for the manslaughter of Limerick businessman Jason Corbett.

US • 06 Jun 24

Donald Trump is the first former US president to be convicted of a crime

Will Trump's conviction impact his presidential campaign?

Donald Trump has becomes the first former US president to be convicted of a crime in the history of the United States. Whatever happens next, that fact will stand.

Analysis and Comment • 31 May 24

Months of US pressure to get Israel to change course in its Gaza military campaign was coming to the boil seven days ago (File image)

US pressure to change Israel's Gaza campaign off the boil

The ongoing war in Gaza has put increasing pressure on both Benjamin Netanyahu's government and the Biden administration which came to a head this week, but is now off the boil.

Analysis and Comment • 26 May 24

Two previous attempts to pass the legislation failed, one of them by a single vote in the US Senate

Further effort to add Ireland to E-3 visa programme in US

Two US congressmen have reintroduced bipartisan legislation to add Ireland to the E-3 visa programme.

US • 16 May 24

Mr Biden's week was the culmination of months of issues that became tensions that finally snapped (File image)

Fractious Israeli relations pose election risk for Biden

Will US President Joe Biden be the biggest political loser of the Gaza war? And has this week, of rapid fire and movement on this issue - and others - been the tipping point in an election of fine margins?

Analysis and Comment • 12 May 24