Leigh Ann Caldwell

Washington, D.C.

Early 202 co-author and Washington Post Live anchor

Education: North Carolina State University, BA in Communications

Leigh Ann Caldwell is co-author of The Washington Post’s Early 202 and focuses on Congress, politics and the White House. She is also an anchor for Washington Post Live, conducting high-impact newsmaking interviews. Before joining The Post in 2022, Caldwell was a correspondent at NBC News. As a member of NBC’s congressional unit, she covered both of President Donald Trump’s impeachment trials; the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and its aftermath; several budget battles and government shutdowns; four Supreme Court confirmations, including for Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett; and o
Latest from Leigh Ann Caldwell

The final lame duck sprint

In today’s edition … Trump’s nominee for Israeli ambassador highlights evangelical Christian support … Dr. Oz’s past Ozempic partnership presents conflict of interest for potential Medicare head.

December 2, 2024
President Joe Biden makes his way to the podium to deliver remarks regarding a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, November 26, 2024. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

The Campaign Moment: Gaetz’s downfall, Trump’s mandate

Former congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) pulled his name from consideration for attorney general. What will this mean for Donald Trump’s other controversial Cabinet picks?

November 22, 2024

Gaetz out, Oz in, and your lingering election questions

Former congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) pulled his name from consideration for attorney general. What will this mean for Donald Trump’s other controversial Cabinet picks?

November 22, 2024

A pollster’s top reasons Harris lost: Inflation, inflation, inflation

In today’s edition … Former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi replaces Gaetz as Trump’s AG pick ... Biden administration tries to distribute funds ahead of Trump’s inauguration.

November 22, 2024
Washington Post illustration; Photo courtesy of Nick Gourevitch

How Democrats won in districts Trump carried

In today’s edition … Trump once lambasted Project 2025 – now he’s hiring its authors ... Musk and Ramaswamy promise spending and staffing cuts to government.

November 21, 2024
Rep.-elect Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Michigan) on the steps of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol Building on Nov. 15, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

House panel was told Gaetz paid two women $10,000, in part for sex

The House Ethics Committee declined to release its report on sexual misconduct allegations against President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general.

November 20, 2024
Then-Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) questions Attorney General Merrick Garland at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 4.

JD Vance’s first tough task

In today’s edition … Trump picks Linda McMahon for Education Department … RFK Jr. revives fluoride debate.

November 20, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC — NOVEMBER 13: Vice President-Elect and U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 13, 2024. (Craig Hudson for The Washington Post)

Trump presses ahead with polarizing picks despite Senate GOP doubts

Planned nominations to the incoming administration are moving on an “accelerated schedule,” Trump’s team says

November 19, 2024
Pete Hegseth at Trump Tower in New York in 2016.

Recess appointments complicate Republican honeymoon

In today’s edition … Trump has yet to make moves to divest ahead of new term … Expected Trump housing policy could increase mortgage rates.

November 19, 2024
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) talks to a reporter at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 15, 2023.

How Trump could reshape the judiciary (again)

In today’s edition … Activist group plans for Trump resistance 2.0 … Disaster response programs are running short on funds, White House warns.

November 18, 2024
President Donald Trump speaks with Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett after her 2020 swearing in.