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Franco Ordoñez

White House Correspondent

Franco Ordoñez is a White House Correspondent for NPR's Washington Desk. Before he came to NPR in 2019, Ordoñez covered the White House for McClatchy. He has also written about diplomatic affairs, foreign policy and immigration, and has been a correspondent in Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Haiti.

Ordoñez has received several state and national awards for his work, including the Casey Medal, the Gerald Loeb Award and the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Journalism. He is a two-time reporting fellow with the International Center for Journalists, and is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and the University of Georgia.

Story Archive

Wednesday

Trump allies craft plans to give him unprecedented power if he wins the White House

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Ankeny, Iowa. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Politics

Trump allies craft plans to give him unprecedented power if he wins the White House

Trump insiders are working behind the scenes on detailed plans to amass his power so that he can carry out an unprecedented restructuring of the U.S. government and expand executive authority.

Trump allies craft plans to give him unprecedented power if he wins the White House

Listen · 4:00
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Politics

4 GOP presidential candidates to debate as first primary contests draw nearer

Four of the remaining GOP presidential candidates will be on stage for tonight's debate: Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy. Front-runner Donald Trump will not be there.

4 GOP presidential candidates to debate as first primary contests draw nearer

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Tuesday

Trump Plans A More Radical Second Term

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump leaves a commit to caucus campaign event at the Whiskey River bar on December 2, 2023 in Ankeny, Iowa. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

Trump Plans A More Radical Second Term

The former president and his allies have made clear they don't want obstacles that stymied them in their first term to get in the way during a potential second term. Overhauls of the civil service, the judiciary & more are planned, among others.

Trump Plans A More Radical Second Term

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Friday

Politics

Negotiation over U.S. border policy holds up aid to Ukraine and Israel

Discussions about U.S. aid to Ukraine and Israel are being delayed by House Republicans who are negotiating a U.S. border policy that is further to the right than most Democrats are willing to vote.

Negotiation over U.S. border policy holds up aid to Ukraine and Israel

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Wednesday

Where the Republican presidential candidates stand on Israel, Ukraine and China

From left to right, top: former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former President Donald Trump, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. From left to right, bottom: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Vivek Ramaswamy. Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Tracking the issues in the 2024 election

Where the Republican presidential candidates stand on Israel, Ukraine and China

Foreign policy doesn't always make headlines in presidential campaigns, but with the U.S. involved in two foreign wars — and facing a rising adversary in China, voters are paying more attention.

Tuesday

The NPR Politics Podcast

Trump Is Breaking All The Rules Of The Iowa Caucuses — And Still Winning

The Iowa caucuses are less than two months away, and former President Trump remains the clear frontrunner in state polls. But, challengers Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis have recently picked up key endorsements that could challenge Trump's hold on that state.

Trump Is Breaking All The Rules Of The Iowa Caucuses — And Still Winning

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Wednesday

The NPR Politics Podcast

Israel and Hamas Agree to Temporary Cease-fire and Hostage Release

After six weeks of war, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day pause in hostilities. As part of the agreement, 50 hostages currently held by Hamas and 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel will be released.

Israel and Hamas Agree to Temporary Cease-fire and Hostage Release

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Middle East

3 Americans could be released as part of the deal to get hostages out of Gaza

The three could be released as part of the first phase of the deal to get hostages out of Gaza, a deal that the U.S. helped broker between Israel and Hamas.

3 Americans could be released as part of the deal to get hostages out of Gaza

Listen · 3:41
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Tuesday

National

President Biden went to Norfolk, Va., for a Friendsgiving

Biden put on an apron over the weekend to serve an early Thanksgiving dinner to service members and their families. He served mashed potatoes while Jill Biden dished out sweet potato casserole.

President Biden went to Norfolk, Va., for a Friendsgiving

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Saturday

Politics

Money for Ukraine is losing Republican support in Congress

In Congress, there is a broad agreement over the funding for Israel, but the money for Ukraine is losing Republican support.

Money for Ukraine is losing Republican support in Congress

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Friday

In Buffalo, Iowa, a community wrestles with Trump-fueled political apathy

Darla Chaddock (left) and her husband, Rob Chaddock, share a drink with their friends Michelle and Kenny Stone (right) at Judy's Barge Inn in Buffalo, Iowa. Franco Ordoñez/NPR hide caption

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Politics

In Buffalo, Iowa, a community wrestles with Trump-fueled political apathy

Donald Trump continues to dominate polls in Iowa despite losing out on a coveted endorsement from the popular governor. Kim Reynolds endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis instead but voters aren't sold.

In Buffalo, Iowa, a community wrestles with Trump-fueled political apathy

Listen · 3:51
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Wednesday

Democrats Divided Over Israel

People hold signs during a rally in support of Palestinians in Los Angeles, California on October 21, 2023, amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images

The NPR Politics Podcast

Democrats Divided Over Israel

President Biden has offered strong support for Israel in its war against Hamas, even traveling to the country to show the United States' commitment to Israel's defense. But that stance has some Democrats sharply critical of the Biden administration for not focusing enough on the war's impacts on Palestinians — something that might be a problem as the president campaigns for reelection.

Democrats Divided Over Israel

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Tuesday

Politics

House Republicans aim to pass a stand-alone aid package for Israel

A roughly $14 billion aid package for Israel, released by House Republicans, is at odds with the White House and the Senate, where leaders want money for Israel linked to money for Ukraine.

House Republicans aim to pass a stand-alone aid package for Israel

Listen · 3:20
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Friday

Politics

What the House speaker election fiasco says about Trump's power

Former President Trump is taking credit for the election of Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., as speaker of the House — but some say the recent chaos revealed more about Trump's limitations than his power.

What the House speaker election fiasco says about Trump's power

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Sunday

Politics

Politics chat: House Speaker race; U.S. politics being shaped by the war

House Republicans are still struggling to coalesce around one candidate for Speaker while multiple crises add urgency to the search.

Politics chat: House Speaker race; U.S. politics being shaped by the war

Listen · 4:37
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Saturday

New Hampshire voters warn GOP candidates against taking Granite State for granted

The walls of the Roundabout Diner illustrate the many candidates who have sat at the countertop to share a meal with potential voters over the years in Portsmouth, N.H. on Monday. Franco Ordoñez/NPR hide caption

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Elections

New Hampshire voters warn GOP candidates against taking Granite State for granted

New Hampshire is proud to hold the first in the nation primary for presidential elections. But in an age of social media and cable news, can a state election still make a national difference?

New Hampshire voters warn GOP candidates against taking Granite State for granted

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Thursday

Trump Visits Early States As Crowded Field Stymies Rivals

Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women's Lilac Luncheon on June 27, 2023 in Concord, New Hampshire. Scott Eisen/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

Trump Visits Early States As Crowded Field Stymies Rivals

Donald Trump has visited Iowa and New Hampshire more frequently in recent months, though skipping the retail politicking that has historically defined the campaign culture of the early states. It hasn't seemed to impact his standing in the polls though — his rivals continue to stagnate with no clear way to resolve their collective action problem.

Trump Visits Early States As Crowded Field Stymies Rivals

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Monday

Elections

Trump holds a rally in New Hampshire in an effort to solidify early primary support

Former President Donald Trump help a campaign rally in Wolfeboro, N.H., commenting on current events like the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Trump holds a rally in New Hampshire in an effort to solidify early primary support

Listen · 3:56
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Wednesday

Trump bets big on Michigan with rally on GOP debate night as UAW strike continues

President Trump skipped the first Republican debate on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wis. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

Elections

Trump bets big on Michigan with rally on GOP debate night as UAW strike continues

Seven Republicans will join the second GOP debate Wednesday but the front-runner, former President Donald Trump won't be one of them. Instead, Trump will head to Michigan to court autoworkers.

Trump bets big on Michigan with rally on GOP debate night as UAW strike continues

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8 moments that stood out from the second GOP 2024 presidential debate

From left to right, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., argue a point during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX Business Network and Univision on Wednesday. Mark J. Terrill/AP hide caption

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Mark J. Terrill/AP

Elections

8 moments that stood out from the second GOP 2024 presidential debate

The Republican Party held its second debate of the 2024 campaign on Wednesday night in California. Here are some of the night's more memorable moments.

Monday

Politics

It's going to be a big week in politics. Here's what to keep your eye on.

It's set to be a big week in Washington as Congress heads toward a shutdown, President Biden and former President Donald Trump visit workers in Detroit, and GOP candidates are set to debate again.

It's going to be a big week in politics. Here's what to keep your eye on.

Listen · 6:13
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Friday

Unprecedented Dysfunction: What to Know About A Likely Shutdown

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) talks to reporters as he leaves a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The NPR Politics Podcast

Unprecedented Dysfunction: What to Know About A Likely Shutdown

Congress has left town as House Republicans infighting appears doomed to shutdown the government next week. And both Donald Trump and President Biden appear to have turned their attention toward the general election race — even though the first primary vote has yet to be cast.

Unprecedented Dysfunction: What to Know About A Likely Shutdown

Listen · 26:19
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Wednesday

Tired of the Republican primary, GOP frontrunner Donald Trump shifts focus to Biden

In this file image, then-President Donald Trump and then-former Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speak during the first presidential debate on Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland. Morry Gash/Getty Images hide caption

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Morry Gash/Getty Images

Elections

Tired of the Republican primary, GOP frontrunner Donald Trump shifts focus to Biden

Former President Donald Trump is escalating his attacks on President Biden in another sign his campaign is looking past the Republican primaries — and focusing more on the general election ahead.

Tired of the Republican primary, GOP frontrunner Donald Trump shifts focus to Biden

Listen · 3:58
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Tuesday

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