Cleve R. Wootson Jr.

Washington, D.C.

White House, politics, political campaigns, criminal justice, equity

Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, bachelor's in journalism and mass communication

Cleve R. Wootson Jr. is a White House reporter for The Washington Post. He previously covered the 2020 campaign for president, and worked on The Post's General Assignment before that. For a decade, he was a reporter for the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer.
Latest from Cleve R. Wootson Jr.

Why would Kristi Noem write about killing a dog? And more …

Martine Powers chats with Aaron Blake, author of the Post newsletter The Campaign Moment, and White House reporter Cleve Wootson. They delve into the most important political moments of this past week. Listen for these conversations every Friday during the 2024 campaign.

May 3, 2024

Biden, Democrats push hard to put North Carolina in play

As president visits Tar Heel state, Democrats hope a controversial GOP governor candidate boosts their chances

May 2, 2024
President Biden delivers remarks Thursday in Wilmington, N.C.

Kennedy family members endorse Biden in rebuke of RFK Jr.

The move comes amid fears that third-party candidates could siphon critical votes from Biden

April 18, 2024

In a swing through Pennsylvania, Biden pivots to populism

Addressing steelworkers Wednesday, President Biden identified with families of modest means and sought to create a contrast with former president Donald Trump.

April 17, 2024
President Biden speaks at the United Steelworkers headquarters in Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Biden’s handling of Gaza shakes his support in the Black community

Some Black activists want voters to reject Biden over his Gaza policy. Others see Trump as a far bigger threat.

April 17, 2024
Chikondi Rose Nanaafua and Samuel Kuttab prepare dates to serve during the About Palestine Iftar at the Masjidullah center in Philadelphia on April 6.

Biden uses release of 2023 tax returns to draw contrast with Trump

The release comes on tax day, and a day after Biden will hold a tax-related event at Scranton, Pa.

April 15, 2024
President Biden and Jill Biden arrive at the East Room of the White House in March 2023 for a National Medal of Arts ceremony.

Muslim leaders decline White House Ramadan invitation

Community leaders, angered by Biden’s approach to Gaza, instead demand a meeting on policy.

April 2, 2024
People in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah line up to receive food before breaking the fast during Ramadan.

Harris steps up her role as ambassador to voters shaky on Biden

Polls suggest some young voters and people of color are souring on President Biden. They do not always embrace the outreach of his vice president, Kamala Harris.

March 25, 2024
Vice President Harris greets supporters after speaking at a campaign event Feb. 2 at South Carolina State University, a historically Black school in Orangeburg, S.C.

Biden aims to repair places left broken by previous economic strategies

President Biden unveiled federal grants in Wisconsin to remove or retrofit highways that separate minority neighborhoods in many cities from jobs, hospitals and other services.

March 13, 2024
President Biden speaks at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Education Secretary Cardona is the State of the Union’s designated survivor

The designated survivor is a throwback to Cold War-era fears about what would happen if a nuclear war decapitated the U.S. government

March 7, 2024
Miguel Cardona during a news conference in Delaware in 2020.