Zolan Kanno-Youngs

I am a White House correspondent for The New York Times, covering President Biden and his administration.

What I Cover

I am on a team of reporters covering President Biden and his administration. I attend daily press briefings; travel with the president and vice president; sleuth government documents; interview people throughout the administration as well as its critics; and travel across the country to assess the impact of the president’s agenda by talking to people. While I am based in the Washington bureau, I have reported from more than 20 countries.

I aim to not just write about the president’s decision-making but also the debates within the White House that might shed light on the motivations behind his decisions. I occasionally write features on the president, vice president and other influential figures in the White House. I report broadly on President Biden’s domestic and foreign policy agenda, including inequality, migration, refugees, criminal justice and the White House strategy for the 2024 election.

My Background

I joined The Times in 2019 to cover the Department of Homeland Security, breaking stories on the detention of migrants, immigration enforcement, the Secret Service, protests and the federal government’s response to national emergencies. I previously covered criminal justice and the New York Police Department for The Wall Street Journal.

A graduate of Northeastern University, I’m proud to be from Cambridge, Mass. I also write screenplays sometimes.

Journalistic Ethics

Maintaining journalistic independence is important for every journalist at The Times, which has an extensive ethics policy. I strive for my pieces to be accurate and fair. I do not aim to surprise the subjects of my stories. I always try to give subjects an opportunity to respond. I strive to hold the powerful to account, and I try to show empathy to the vulnerable.

I am not affiliated with a political party and do not make political donations. I make every effort to understand a story from multiple viewpoints. I protect my sources and work hard to build and keep trust. I do not accept gifts, money or favors from anyone who might figure into my reporting. When I am working, I always identify myself as a reporter for The Times.

• Email: zolan.kanno-youngs@nytimes.com

• X: @KannoYoungs

• Anonymous tips: nytimes.com/tips