Sean Whelan

Washington Correspondent

Within hours of being sworn in as the 47th President, Donald Trump kept one of his most contentious electoral promises, pardoning the 6 January convicts

Trump keeps most contentious promise and pardons rioters

While Europe was sleeping, the storm broke over Washington DC. Within hours of being sworn in as the 47th President, Donald Trump pardoned all but 14 of the people convicted over the 6 January 2021 assault on the US Capitol.

Analysis and Comment • 21 Jan

Donald Trump has a long list on his Day One to-do list

Donald Trump enters the White House for the second time far more prepared and far more focused than he did in 2017, writes Washington Correspondent Sean Whelan.

US • 20 Jan

Edward Walsh is the founder and president of a New Jersey-based construction and project management company

Trump nominates 'champion golfer' Walsh as ambassador

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Edward Walsh, the head of a nationwide construction and real estate company, to be his ambassador to Ireland.

US • 15 Dec 24

The killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York has brought healthcare in the US to the forefront of public discourse

US healthcare: A mismatch between spending and results

The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, in New York this week has sent shockwaves across the United States.

Analysis and Comment • 09 Dec 24

Donald Trump announced Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as his pick for Attorney General

Trump's Gaetz appointment met with shock

Donald Trump's announcement that Matt Gaetz is his pick for Attorney General sent shock waves through Washington DC's political establishment, Republican as well as Democratic, writes Sean Whelan.

US • 14 Nov 24

Trump's Gaetz appointment met with 'shock'

We got to see very little of the meeting between President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday.

US • 14 Nov 24

Elon Musk gave millions of dollars to support Donald Trump's presidential campaign and made public appearances with him

Trump names Musk, Ramaswamy to lead new US department

US president-elect Donald Trump has said that Elon Musk and former republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.

US • 13 Nov 24

Economy proved costly for Harris as Trump claims win

Donald Trump emerged onto the stage of the watch party at Palm Beach just after 2.20am local time, accompanied by his family and closest political supporters with the Lee Greenwood song 'God Bless the USA' playing as always at a Trump event.

Analysis and Comment • 07 Nov 24

This state-nation, born in revolution, once again stands at a revolutionary moment

'Revolutionary moments' in sight as election day arrives

So here it is - at last. Judgement day in American politics. The day 'We the People' have their say - irrevocably setting their nation on a new path, much of the rest of the world dragged along in its gravitational pull.

Analysis and Comment • 05 Nov 24

People cast their votes during early voting for the Presidential General Election at polling station in Chicago, Illinois

Getting final voters out key as campaigns draw to a close

As the campaigns draw to a close, it is all about getting people out to vote as the two US presidential election candidates focus on final rallies in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.

US • 04 Nov 24