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

Trump Warns About Complacency In 2018 Midterms At CPAC

President Trump received an enthusiastic greeting from thousands of conservative activists at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, D.C., on Friday. He boasted of his first year accomplishments, but also had a warning about this year's midterm elections, saying complacency could short-circuit his agenda.

Trump Warns About Complacency In 2018 Midterms At CPAC

Listen · 3:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/588374720/588374723" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

NRA's Wayne LaPierre Calls For Firearms In Schools At CPAC

NRA's executive vice president and CEO Wayne LaPierre addressed the annual gathering of conservatives in the wake of the Parkland school shooting. His message included a call to have arms in schools and an admonishment of those calling for stricter regulations on guns. LaPierre said those people are exploiting the moment for political gain.

NRA's Wayne LaPierre Calls For Firearms In Schools At CPAC

Listen · 3:51
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/588069769/588069770" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Republicans Struggle To Find Senate Recruits In Key Races

Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, pictured here in 2014, recently switched from the governor's race to the Senate contest. Mark Duncan/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Duncan/AP

Politics

Republicans Struggle To Find Senate Recruits In Key Races

There are at least a half-dozen states where Republicans failed to woo their first choice into the contest, despite a Senate map heavily stacked against Democrats.

Republicans Struggle To Find Senate Recruits In Key Races

Listen · 4:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/584057930/584312401" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Politics

GOP Recruitment Troubles Could Affect Senate Races

Many Senate Democrats seeking reelection are in states that Trump carried in 2016. That presents opportunities for the GOP to win and make a takeover effort by Democrats tougher. But there's a problem as the GOP has had trouble recruiting top tier candidates in several important races.

GOP Recruitment Troubles Could Affect Senate Races

Listen · 4:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/584059866/584059867" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The GOP's Evolution On Immigration

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed a major immigration law that offered amnesty to people in the country illegally who arrived prior to 1982. Barry Thumma/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Barry Thumma/AP

Politics

The GOP's Evolution On Immigration

In 1980, Ronald Reagan argued against putting up a fence on the border with Mexico. By 2016, Donald Trump was rallying GOP voters to "build the wall."

The GOP's Evolution On Immigration

Listen · 4:39
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/580222116/580498785" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

History

The GOP's Change On Immigration

The Republican Party is using its control of Congress and the White House to pursue a hard line on immigration. It's a big shift in rhetoric and policy for a party long seen as pro-immigration.

The GOP's Change On Immigration

Listen · 4:39
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/580179681/580179682" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Trump Visits Pa. County That Has A Special Election In March

President Trump visited southwestern Pennsylvania on Thursday, an area dominated by the coal industry which is feeling positive after his first year in office.

Trump Visits Pa. County That Has A Special Election In March

Listen · 4:47
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/579065815/579065816" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Trump Voters In Pennsylvania Say They Are Pleased With Presidency So Far

Voters in rural Pennsylvania were crucial to electing President Trump. A year after he took office, they are mostly pleased with how Trump has executed his presidency.

Trump Voters In Pennsylvania Say They Are Pleased With Presidency So Far

Listen · 4:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/578956908/578956909" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

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