Eric Cortellessa

Cortellessa is a correspondent at TIME, based in the Washington, D.C., bureau. He covers Congress, Donald Trump, and national politics.

Recent Articles

Russell Vought

When Donald Trump took office in January, he was armed with a weapon none of his predecessors had enjoyed: a shadow government in waiting, ready to turn his ideas into policy. The man who built...

By Eric Cortellessa

Howard Lutnick

A year ago, Howard Lutnick was a Wall Street power player. Running the financial-services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, he amassed an estimated net worth of more than $2 billion. Now he’s at the center of Donald...

By Eric Cortellessa

Trump Backs Upstarts to Carry MAGA Torch

Trump views the 2026 primaries as a way to build a lasting legacy, say those close to him.

By Eric Cortellessa

DeJoy Resigns as Postmaster General

On Monday, DeJoy told the USPS Board of Governors that it would be his last day on the job.

By Eric Cortellessa

Rand Paul's Bid to Stop Trump Tariffs

Paul's presentation was a bid to rally Republicans against a centerpiece of Trump's agenda.

By Eric Cortellessa

DeJoy Lets DOGE Into the Postal Service

“This is an effort aligned with our efforts,” DeJoy said.

By Eric Cortellessa

How Trump Demeaned Democrats

Many Democrats left the chamber before Trump was finished.

By Eric Cortellessa

What to Expect From Trump's Big Speech

Trump wants viral moments that will outlive the speech itself

By Eric Cortellessa

How Dan Bongino Fits Into Trump's Plans

“You’re looking for telegenic people who can present a case well on camera," says a Trump adviser.

By Eric Cortellessa

Lara Trump Preps Launch of Fox News Show

Never before has a close relative of a sitting President hosted such a program on a major news network

By Eric Cortellessa

Trump Bets His Threats Can End Gaza War

“We have a Mexican standoff here that could easily end badly,” says one veteran diplomat.

By Eric Cortellessa

Kash Patel Rewrites His Own History

Patel faced no resistance from Republicans at the hearing.

By Eric Cortellessa

Trump Funding Freeze Heads to Court

The case may set up the first major test of Trump 2.0.

By Eric Cortellessa

Warren Sends Musk Spending Cut Ideas

Warren sent Musk 30 ideas for spending cuts, according to a letter obtained by TIME.

By Eric Cortellessa

Trump Pardons Prompt Fears of Violence

"I worry that it will embolden people to engage in political violence"

By Eric Cortellessa

Trump Begins 2nd Term at 'Apex of Power'

'He wants people that can disrupt alongside him'

By Eric Cortellessa

Jack Smith: How Trump Got Away With It

The special prosecutor asserts Trump "resorted to a series of criminal efforts to retain power"

By Eric Cortellessa

Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year

If what comes next is anything like what he promises, Trump will reshape the nation and the world

By Eric Cortellessa

How Donald Trump Won the 2024 Election

Come Jan. 20, we will all be living in Trump’s America

By Eric Cortellessa

How Trump 2.0 Would Remake Washington

If voters choose Trump, he will not moderate, according to those who know him best.

By Eric Cortellessa
More from TIME
More From TIME