Accessibility links
Don Gonyea Gonyea is NPR's National Political Correspondent, a position he has held since 2010. His reports can be heard on all NPR News programs and at NPR.org.
Don Gonyea 2010
Stories By

Don Gonyea

Politics

Rep. John Conyers Retires Amid Allegations Of Sexual Assault

The longest serving member of the House is resigning. Democrat John Conyers, 88, has represented Detroit since 1965. He's stepping down amid accusations that he sexually assaulted several aides over the years. He denies the allegations, but announced on Tuesday that he is retiring, effective immediately. At the same time he endorsed his son John Conyers III to succeed him in congress. A special election is required to fill the seat.

Rep. John Conyers Retires Amid Allegations Of Sexual Assault

Listen · 4:00
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/568653473/568653474" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Rep. John Conyers: 'I Am Retiring Today'

The Michigan Democrat, who has served in Congress for more than 50 years, is facing accusations of sexual harassment. He did not use the word "resigning," though he has been pressured to resign.

Rep. John Conyers: 'I Am Retiring Today'

Listen · 2:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/568547396/568562607" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Rep. John Conyers Facing More Pressure To Resign Amid Harassment Allegations

Pressure is mounting on Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., to resign following sexual harassment allegations. On Thursday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Conyers should step aside. The 88-year-old congressman who has been in his home district for most of the week has been hospitalized due to stress.

Rep. John Conyers Facing More Pressure To Resign Amid Harassment Allegations

Listen · 2:39
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/567572895/567572896" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Supporters Of Michigan Rep. Conyers Challenged With More Harassment Allegations

Representative John Conyers, D-Mich., has represented the people of his Detroit district for more than five decades. Now, allegations of sexual harassment against the venerable lawmaker are challenging even his most ardent supporters.

Supporters Of Michigan Rep. Conyers Challenged With More Harassment Allegations

Listen · 4:08
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/567313541/567313542" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Potatoes And Pies Are OK, But Poll Shows Americans Don't Want Politics For Dinner

Americans may love Thanksgiving — but not the side dish of political fighting that often comes with it. According to a new poll, 58 percent of those surveyed said they dread talking about politics during the holidays.

Potatoes And Pies Are OK, But Poll Shows Americans Don't Want Politics For Dinner

Listen · 4:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/565766995/565766996" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Minnesota Sen. Al Franken Faces Sexual Assault Allegations From LA Radio Host

Leeann Tweeden alleges that Franken, D-Minn., forcibly kissed her and later groped her as she slept during a USO trip in 2006. Franken, who was not a senator at the time, issued an apology statement.

Minnesota Sen. Al Franken Faces Sexual Assault Allegations From LA Radio Host

Listen · 4:01
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/564674956/564674957" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

1 Year Later Revisiting 2 Election Battleground States

Donald Trump used strong support among working class voters in key states to win an electoral college victory in the 2016 presidential contest. We hear from Trump supporters in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

1 Year Later Revisiting 2 Election Battleground States

Listen · 5:00
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/562506403/562516149" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Majority Of White Americans Say They Believe Whites Face Discrimination

President Trump speaks to a crowd of supporters at the Phoenix Convention Center during a rally Aug. 22. Ralph Freso/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Ralph Freso/Getty Images

You, Me And Them: Experiencing Discrimination In America

Majority Of White Americans Say They Believe Whites Face Discrimination

A new NPR poll finds 55 percent of whites believe the discrimination against white people exists, echoing a sentiment heard repeatedly on the 2016 campaign trail.

Majority Of White Americans Say They Believe Whites Face Discrimination

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/559604836/582519937" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Fallen Soldier's Mother Says Trump Disrespected Her Son And Family

President Trump participates in a series of radio interviews in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Tuesday. Among the topics he discussed was his and past presidents' policies on reaching out to families of service members who have died. Pool/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Pool/Getty Images

Politics

Fallen Soldier's Mother Says Trump Disrespected Her Son And Family

The controversy began with a question about the president's lack of response to the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Niger. It took another turn on Wednesday with a dispute over his comments to a widow.

How The NRA Uses Its Political Clout: An Early Lesson In Oklahoma

Rep. Mike Synar, D-Okla., meets with Neal Knox, executive director of the NRA's lobbying arm, in 1981 in this photo archived at the Carl Albert Center Congressional and Political Collections at the University of Oklahoma. Don Gonyea/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Don Gonyea/NPR

Politics

How The NRA Uses Its Political Clout: An Early Lesson In Oklahoma

Rep. Mike Synar, a Democrat, had the National Rifle Association's backing in 1980. But by 1994, his positions had changed, and so had the NRA's. Here's how the group worked to defeat him.

How The NRA Uses Its Political Clout: An Early Lesson In Oklahoma

Listen · 4:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/558202994/558206134" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

National

A Look At The Political Clout Of The National Rifle Association

Not only can the NRA marshal its grassroots to boost its preferred candidate, but it holds in reserve the power to fund and support primary challengers. That threat became real for an eight-term incumbent Democratic lawmaker from Oklahoma who voted for the assault weapons ban in 1994.

A Look At The Political Clout Of The National Rifle Association

Listen · 4:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/558160376/558160380" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

News Brief: Price's Flights, NFL Protests, Catalan Referendum

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price says he will pay back part of the cost of his charter flights. Also, more NFL players may protest Trump's national anthem comments.

News Brief: Price's Flights, NFL Protests, Catalan Referendum

Listen · 10:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/554424151/554424152" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sports

Football Fans Tackle Recent National Anthem Protests

Some protests continued in the National Football League after President Trump attacked players who have knelt during the national anthem. Fans in Wisconsin weighed in.

Football Fans Tackle Recent National Anthem Protests

Listen · 5:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/554424179/554424180" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Democratic Voters Are Skeptical Of Any Immigration Deal With Trump

Negotiations between Democratic congressional leaders and President Trump over the fate of the DACA program is being met with skepticism by Democratic voters and immigration activists in New York.

Democratic Voters Are Skeptical Of Any Immigration Deal With Trump

Listen · 7:00
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/552530562/552530563" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript