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Ed O'Keefe
Ed O'Keefe
Ed O'Keefe
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Ed O'Keefe (born March 28, 1983) is an American senior White House and political correspondent with CBS News. He joined CBS in 2018 after working nearly 13 years at The Washington Post.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

O'Keefe was born and raised in Delmar, New York, where he attended Bethlehem Central High School (1997–2001).[1]

In 2005, O’Keefe earned a bachelor's degree from American University[2] in interdisciplinary studies (Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics and Government) from the university's School of Public Affairs.

Career

[edit]
O'Keefe in 2019

In 2005, The Washington Post hired Ed O’Keefe as a home page editor.[3] Later he served Washington Post Radio as a producer and on-air contributor before covering the 2008 presidential campaign as a multiplatform reporter contributing blog reports and video dispatches from the campaign trail while also producing and hosting The Post's first podcast, “The Post Politics Podcast” that also aired on Sirius XM's POTUS Channel. After the elections, he spent four years covering federal agencies and federal employees as author of The Federal Eye blog. He spent part of the summer of 2011 covering the war in Iraq before shifting to cover Congress. He covered the 2016 presidential campaign with a focus on Republican candidates and later returned to covering Capitol Hill. Before being hired by CBS News, he frequently appeared as a guest or panelist on news programs on BBC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, France 24, MSNBC, NPR, PBS, and Sirius/XM.

In 2017, O'Keefe became a contributor to CBS News, and in 2018 joined CBS News full-time as a Washington-based political correspondent.[4] He continues to serve as an occasional panelist on the PBS program Washington Week, including at times as co-moderator.[5][6]

Since joining CBS News, O’Keefe has covered the 2018 midterm elections, with reports from across the country and contributed to coverage of other major events in Washington including the State of the Union, the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, dramatic testimony from former Donald Trump associate Michael Cohen. He covered the funerals of former Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former president George H. W. Bush.

In the early months of the 2020 presidential campaign cycle, O’Keefe interviewed several candidates including Republican William Weld and Democrats Steve Bullock, Julian Castro, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. In his first national television interview on the subject, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan told O’Keefe he was strongly considering a Republican primary challenge to President Trump, but later dropped plans to run. O’Keefe also interviewed independent Howard Schultz in the early days of the former Starbucks CEO's exploratory phase.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ed O'Keefe

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Ed O'Keefe (born March 28, 1983) is an American journalist and senior White House and political correspondent for .
O'Keefe joined in 2018, following nearly a decade at , where he covered , national politics, federal agencies, and federal employees from 2008 to 2018.
His reporting has focused on key aspects of U.S. presidential administrations, including those of and , as well as congressional dynamics and policy developments.

Background

Early life

Ed O'Keefe was born and raised in . He attended Red River High School, graduating in 1996.

Education

O'Keefe attended in , graduating in 2001. He enrolled at in , where he pursued an interdisciplinary program through the School of Public Affairs. In 2005, O'Keefe received a degree in Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and (CLEG), a designed to provide foundational knowledge in government operations, economic principles, legal frameworks, and communication strategies relevant to political and environments.

Journalistic Career

Early media roles

O'Keefe joined in 2005 immediately following his graduation from , marking the start of his professional journalism career. His initial responsibilities included coverage of federal agencies and federal employees, providing in-depth reporting on government operations and workforce issues during a period of heightened scrutiny over and policy implementation. These early assignments positioned him at the intersection of print and emerging , where he contributed to blogs such as the Federal Eye, tracking developments in the federal sector amid post-9/11 reforms and administrative changes. By 2007, O'Keefe transitioned to broader political reporting, including presidential campaigns and congressional activities, building on his foundational experience in administrative journalism. During this phase, he also engaged in multi-platform work, including production for Washington Post Radio, which launched in 2006 as an extension of the newspaper's content into broadcast, allowing for on-air analysis of federal news. This role underscored the evolving media landscape, blending traditional reporting with audio dissemination to reach diverse audiences.

Tenure at The Washington Post

O'Keefe joined in 2005, initially working as a editor before transitioning to roles covering federal operations. Over the course of more than a dozen years, he reported extensively on federal agencies and employees, including authoring the Federal Eye blog that tracked personnel changes, policy shifts, and bureaucratic developments within the executive branch. His coverage highlighted issues such as leadership turnover at the Department of Veterans Affairs, notably reporting on the resignation of two senior VA officials amid a wait-times scandal on June 25, 2014. From 2008 to 2018, O'Keefe shifted focus to and national , serving as a key reporter on legislative battles and electoral dynamics. He was among the Post's early adopters of , producing video reports and posts from the 2008 presidential campaign trail, which marked a pivot toward digital-first political coverage at the outlet. This included on-the-ground accounts of major events, such as the in September 2012, where he documented the party's internal enthusiasm amid Barack Obama's reelection bid. Later, he embedded with candidates like during the 2016 Republican primary, providing in-depth analysis of campaign strategies starting in February 2015. O'Keefe departed in 2018 after nearly 13 years, moving to as a political to expand his broadcast presence. His tenure at the Post emphasized empirical reporting on government accountability and political maneuvering, often drawing on direct access to lawmakers and officials, though his work reflected the outlet's broader institutional perspectives on federal oversight.

Broadcast and digital media positions

O'Keefe spent twelve years at ABC News, contributing to broadcast and digital news production in various editorial and executive capacities. In the early 2010s, he served as the founding editor-in-chief of NowThis News, a digital media startup emphasizing short-form video content optimized for social media distribution and mobile consumption. The venture focused on delivering news to younger audiences via platforms like Facebook and Twitter, prioritizing viral, bite-sized formats over traditional long-form reporting. O'Keefe joined CNN in May 2014 as of CNNMoney and CNN Politics, tasked with driving digital strategy, content growth, and audience engagement for those verticals. He advanced to senior of content development by 2016, overseeing premium digital initiatives, including mobile video, over-the-top streaming, and cross-platform integration, roles he held until 2019.

CBS News as political correspondent

Ed O'Keefe joined as a political correspondent on April 15, 2018, transitioning from his role covering at . In this position, he contributed reporting across all CBS News broadcasts and digital platforms, focusing on national politics and drawing from his prior experience with presidential campaigns and legislative matters. In January 2021, amid a Washington bureau reorganization, O'Keefe advanced to senior and political correspondent, expanding his responsibilities to include direct coverage alongside broader political reporting. He covered the entirety of Joe Biden's presidency, including key administration developments and policy shifts. O'Keefe's notable contributions included serving as lead correspondent for the Biden-Harris 2020 presidential campaign, the Democratic primaries, and the that year. He anchored election night coverage from headquarters in New York starting with the 2018 midterms and continuing through subsequent cycles, while also leading reports on the , 2021, Capitol assault. Additional coverage encompassed the 2019 , the confirmation hearings, political scandals, and the 2022 midterms. In 2024, he reported on the presidential race, including Biden's withdrawal, Kamala Harris's emergence as the Democratic nominee, and acted as a floor reporter at both the Republican and Democratic national conventions; he further detailed the assassination attempt on . In September 2020, O'Keefe was awarded the Award for Communications by , honoring his journalistic excellence and commitment to accurately representing Latinos in media coverage.

Executive Role

Leadership at

Edward F. O'Keefe was appointed of the Foundation on October 1, 2019, succeeding interim leadership to oversee the planning, fundraising, and construction of the library in . Under O'Keefe's direction, the foundation has pursued a vision for a 21st-century that prioritizes immersive digital experiences, technological innovation, and global accessibility over conventional archival models, aiming to inspire through Theodore Roosevelt's principles of conservation, , and . The site's selection in reflects Roosevelt's transformative ranching years there from 1883 to 1886, which profoundly influenced his worldview and policies. Construction of the 90,000-square-foot facility began in summer 2023 on a 55-acre , incorporating sustainable features such as energy-efficient and a native plant restoration project in collaboration with . Key milestones include the topping-out of the main structure on October 9, 2024, and approximately 70% completion of construction as of October 2025, with full exhibits and interiors targeted for May 2026 ahead of a July 4, 2026, public opening. Fundraising efforts have secured $320 million toward a revised $450 million goal as of August 2024, supplemented by a $70 million from the to bridge gaps during construction. O'Keefe has committed to exhibits that humanize Roosevelt by addressing his controversies and imperfections alongside achievements, fostering critical engagement rather than uncritical adulation.

Controversies and Criticisms

Interview editing disputes

In an August 31, 2025, interview on , CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe questioned Secretary about the Trump administration's deportation of Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who had been released into the U.S. after a court-ordered stay and later accused by officials of ties to activity. In the full recorded exchange, Noem described Garcia as an "MS-13 member" and a "wife-beater" who posed a threat to public safety, emphasizing his criminal history including and affiliations documented in records. However, the broadcast version omitted these characterizations, transitioning directly to O'Keefe's follow-up question on efforts and cutting over 23% of Noem's responses, according to a Department of analysis comparing the aired segment to the unedited transcript. The Department of issued a statement later that day accusing of "deceptively" editing the interview to "whitewash the truth" about Garcia's alleged criminal background, claiming the cuts removed context that highlighted the dangers of policies and judicial interventions in deportations. Noem echoed this criticism, labeling the edits "shameful" and arguing they misrepresented her position on immigration enforcement by excising details of Garcia's links and domestic abuse convictions, which were supported by records. Critics, including Republican lawmakers like Sen. , framed the editing as part of a pattern of favoring narratives that downplay migrant crime risks, though defended standard practices for time constraints without directly addressing the specific omissions. In response to the backlash, CBS announced on September 5, 2025, that Face the Nation would henceforth air only live or fully unedited interviews with newsmakers, a policy shift attributed by network executives to restoring viewer trust amid accusations of selective editing. The change drew mixed reactions, with some conservatives viewing it as an admission of prior misconduct and others, including media analysts, questioning whether it overly restricts journalistic discretion in formatting broadcasts. O'Keefe, who conducted the interview, did not publicly comment on the edits, but the incident fueled broader debates on transparency in network news production.

Exchanges on media transparency

In August 2025, Ed O'Keefe, serving as a substitute moderator for ' Face the Nation, interviewed Homeland Security Secretary regarding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an gang member identified as a human smuggler, wife beater, and solicitor of nude photos from minors. The broadcast version edited the 16-minute-40-second interview down to 12 minutes 15 seconds, omitting approximately 23% of the footage, including Noem's details on Garcia's criminal history, recent arrests of 5,000 illegal aliens in (including child traffickers and pedophiles), and clarifications on DHS hiring practices for 10,000 officers without lowering standards. The Department of Homeland Security accused of "deceptively" editing the segment to "whitewash the truth," arguing the cuts removed context that highlighted the Trump administration's public safety achievements and portrayed Noem's responses as incomplete or evasive. Noem publicly released a side-by-side comparison of the full and edited versions, amplifying calls for media accountability in handling. initially defended the edits as standard for time constraints and in line with journalistic practices, but the backlash from the Trump administration and conservative outlets highlighted broader concerns over selective editing in , which critics attributed to institutional biases favoring narratives critical of Republican policies. On September 5, 2025, announced a policy shift for , committing to airing all future interviews live or in their unedited entirety "live-to-tape," with full transcripts posted online afterward, excluding only cases involving or legal restrictions. The network cited "audience feedback" as the driver for enhancing "greater transparency in our interviews," a move interpreted by some as a direct response to the Noem controversy rather than a proactive reform. This change applied solely to and not other programs, underscoring targeted scrutiny on the show's practices under O'Keefe's involvement. O'Keefe did not issue personal statements on the matter, but the incident fueled ongoing debates about editorial transparency in , with proponents of unedited formats arguing it mitigates accusations of manipulation while detractors viewed it as insufficient to address systemic issues in media sourcing and framing.

Recognition and Personal Interests

Professional awards

O'Keefe received a Primetime Emmy Award in 2018 for his producing work on the CNN series Anthony Bourdain: Explore Parts Unknown. He also earned two for contributions to the same series. During his time at , O'Keefe's teams secured the first Edward R. Murrow Award for Social Media, three additional , a , and a Promax marketing award. He was part of the ABC News team awarded a for its coverage of the , 2001, attacks. In 2020, as political correspondent, O'Keefe was presented the Award for Communications by , recognizing his reporting on Latino communities and issues. He has been nominated for a in connection with food and travel media production.

Musical pursuits

O'Keefe began studying classical at age three at The Music Studio in , initially through group lessons before transitioning to private instruction with teacher Noel Liberty at age eight. He continued formal training for 15 years, until age 18, focusing on composers such as Bach—whose Minuet in G was his first piece—and Chopin, whose 24 Preludes he mastered. Annually, O'Keefe attended the two-week Summer piano camp in , where he participated in recitals and weekly concerts. He also performed in Baroque-themed concerts at The Music Studio, often in period costumes, emphasizing historical performance practices. During his senior year of high school, O'Keefe recorded a classical album titled I'll Let My Fingers Do The Talking at a studio affiliated with the at Albany. Family members have reported continuing to listen to the recording regularly. His musical influences extended beyond classical training to include entertainers like , , and , whose accessible styles he admired; he also attended performances by the at and the Albany Symphony Orchestra. O'Keefe has credited his piano studies with providing skills more valuable to his journalistic career than other aspects of his formal education, and he has expressed interest in resuming practice as a means of stress relief.

References

  1. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/28/playbook-birthday-ed-okeefe-1241252
  2. https://www.cbsnews.com/team/ed-okeefe/
  3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/ed-okeefe/
  4. https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/62950
  5. https://tedxfargo.com/tedxfargo-2025/
  6. https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/roosevelt-library-ceo-ed-okeefe-to-visit-und-next-week
  7. https://blogs.und.edu/und-today/2024/10/ed-okeefe-talks-t-r-journalism-and-more-at-eye-of-the-hawk/
  8. https://www.timesunion.com/living/article/20-things-you-don-t-know-about-me-Ed-O-Keefe-11164591.php
  9. https://www.american.edu/spa/news/five-questions-with-commencement-speaker-ed-okeefe.cfm
  10. https://www.theeagleonline.com/article/2024/12/coffee-with-ken-podcast-featuring-cbs-news-correspondent-ed-okeefe-comes-to-campus
  11. https://www.american.edu/soc/news/okeefe-gives-students-inside-account-of-covering-politics-for-the-post.cfm
  12. https://www.washingtonpost.com/pr/wp/2015/08/18/five-questions-with-political-reporter-ed-okeefe/
  13. https://www.leadershipconnect.io/news-media/cbs-news-hires-ed-okeefe-as-political-correspondent/
  14. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2014/06/25/two-senior-va-officials-stepping-down/
  15. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democratic-convention-ends-with-a-storm-of-excitement/2012/09/07/5ad32de6-f832-11e1-8253-3f495ae70650_story.html
  16. https://shorensteincenter.org/person/edward-f-okeefe/
  17. https://cjr.org/q_and_a/exit_interview_ed_okeefe.php
  18. https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2014/05/13/ed-okeefe-joins-cnn-as-vp-of-cnn-money-and-politics/
  19. https://www.edwardfokeefe.com/theauthor
  20. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ed-okeefe-joins-cbs-news-as-political-correspondent/
  21. https://deadline.com/2021/01/sbc-news-nancy-cordes-chief-white-house-correspondent-1234674899/
  22. https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-news-and-stations/releases/?view=55968
  23. https://www.kxnet.com/news/local-news/media-exec-edward-okeefe-named-roosevelt-library-ceo/
  24. https://www.trlibrary.com/message-from-the-ceo
  25. https://www.trlibrary.com/project
  26. https://aaqeastend.com/contents/aaq-theodore-roosevelt-presidential-library-update-nov-2024-a-vision-on-the-horizon/
  27. https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/10/06/theodore-roosevelt-presidential-library-using-70m-bank-of-north-dakota-line-of-credit/
  28. https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/08/15/theodore-roosevelt-presidential-library-crosses-construction-milestone/
  29. https://www.timesunion.com/news/politics/article/a-theodore-roosevelt-library-is-opening-soon-21100101.php
  30. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kristi-noem-homeland-security-face-the-nation-transcript-08-31-2025/
  31. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/08/31/cbs-deceptively-edits-secretary-noems-answers-cutting-more-23-footage-face-nation
  32. https://www.foxnews.com/media/kristi-noem-accuses-cbs-news-shamefully-editing-her-interview-about-kilmar-abrego-garcia
  33. https://www.nysun.com/article/cbs-newss-ed-okeefe-under-fire-for-shameful-editing-of-kristi-noem-comments-about-abrego-garcia-network-removed-ms-13-wife-beating-claims
  34. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/business/cbs-face-the-nation-editing-rules.html
  35. https://www.newscaststudio.com/2025/09/05/face-the-nation-noem-kilmar-abrego-garcia-interview-policy/
  36. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cbs-news-face-nation-policy-190250696.html
  37. https://katiecouric.com/news/face-the-nation-editing-change-opinion/
  38. https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/cbs-news-face-the-nation-to-air-interviews-unedited/
  39. https://www.grandforksherald.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/grand-forks-native-ed-okeefe-receives-primetime-emmy-for-anthony-bourdain-spinoff
  40. https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardokeefe
  41. https://liu.edu/roosevelt/~/link.aspx?_id=FE5EDD47670346848BD4DD2D6C24E7D6&_z=z
  42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKFLLkm4ylk
  43. https://www.wfmt.com/2021/01/20/bach-borge-biden-ed-okeefe-the-cbs-news-white-house-correspondent-who-came-to-play/
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