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Jennifer Harper

Jennifer Harper

A graduate of Syracuse University, Jennifer Harper writes the daily Inside the Beltway column and provides additional coverage of breaking national news, plus long-term trends in politics, media issues, public opinion, popular culture, Hollywood foibles and “eureka” moments in health and science.

She has been a frequent broadcast commentator on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, C-SPAN, Voice of America, Citadel Broadcasting, Talk Radio Network and other news organizations. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., Ms. Harper grew up in Texas and arrived in Washington in time for Watergate -- and has been tracking the political and media landscape ever since.

She is an active member of the American Federation of TV Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild. She has won 14 journalism awards during her years at The Washington Times.

To read Jennifer Harper's Inside the Beltway columns, click here. Contact her at jharper@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Jennifer Harper

Students walk on the campus of Boston College, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

American students losing the memories of America, survey shows

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni has released the findings of a telling poll titled "Losing America's Memory 2.0." The 35-question survey of 3,026 undergraduate students in the U.S., assessing their grasp on basic facts about the nation's history and government. "The results should concern all Americans," the council said in a written statement. Published July 15, 2024

U.S. President Ronald Reagan winces and raises his left arm as he was shot by an assailant as he left a Washington hotel, Monday, March 30, 1981, after making a speech to a labor group. The President was shot in the upper left side. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Reagan’s handling of assassination effort resembled Trump’s

"Ronald Reagan's legend began after he was shot. With his doctors soon to operate, he quipped, 'I hope you're all Republicans.' He told his wife, 'Honey, I forgot to duck.' The coolness reinforced his image as America's new leading man," writes David Paul Kuhn, who served as a political writer for CBS News and Politico, among other news sources. Published July 14, 2024

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at 180 Church, June 15, 2024, in Detroit. (Associated Press)

Cook’s poll of polls shows Trump maintains edge over Biden

It's close, but an average of 21 national polls now finds that former President Donald Trump remains ahead of President Biden in the 2024 race for the White House. The precise results, according to Cook Political Report survey of recent polls, have Mr. Trump at 46.9% support, Mr. Biden with 44.3%. Published July 11, 2024

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump enters at a campaign event, June 18, 2024, in Racine, WisTHE. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)

Trump keeps his running mate a mystery

Those who were hoping former President Donald Trump would reveal the identity of his 2024 running mate sooner rather than later must have a little patience. When will Mr. Trump make the announcement? "I'll make it close to the convention," he told Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Wednesday. Published July 10, 2024

Migrants queue in the cold as they look for a shelter outside a migrant assistance center at St. Brigid Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

New York councilman protests ‘unsustainable and unfair’ policies on immigration

"New Yorkers shouldn't pay to be the world's sanctuary. How long can we sustain this? Our neighborhoods are being overwhelmed by the unchecked influx of migrants. 'We're getting dumped on here' is a sentiment many of my constituents share," writes New York City Councilman Robert Holden, a Democrat who represents District 30 in Queens, in an opinion piece published Tuesday by the New York Post. Published July 9, 2024

First lady Jill Biden listens as President Joe Biden speaks during a barbecue with active-duty military service members and their families on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

First lady stays busy on campaign trail as questions swirl around Biden

For those who wonder about the whereabouts of first lady Jill Biden: She will be in Wilmington, North Carolina; Tampa, Florida; and Columbus, Georgia on Monday for campaign events. Yes, that's three states in one day, according to President Biden's reelection campaign. Published July 7, 2024

Supporters cheer as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally in Chesapeake, Va., Friday, June 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Trump’s vigorous campaign gallops past Biden in latest fundraising numbers

Former President Donald Trump's campaign now reports that in the second quarter of fundraising this year, it raised a total of $331 million and bested the key numbers from President Biden. "This beats the quarterly number of $264 million reported by Biden for the same period. After beating Biden in the months of April and May, the Trump team added another $111.8 million in June," the campaign said in a statement shared with Inside the Beltway. Published July 4, 2024

President Ronald Reagan put an emphasis on freedom, history during a speech on July 4, 1984.

Recalling Ronald Reagan’s words on Independence Day 40 years ago

"The United States is a leader in a world turning, day by day, toward freedom. In Central America and Africa and elsewhere, the tide of the future is a freedom tide. The impulse to create democratic government not only endures; it grows, and that, in spite of real resistance from those who believe in freedom not a bit," President Ronald Reagan told the nation on July 4, 1984. Published July 3, 2024

Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley released a statement Tuesday detailing "the turbulent political climate that is crippling President Biden’s campaign" for reelection. (AP PHOTO)

RNC notes ‘turbulent political climate’ amid new heat regulations

Here's some impeccable timing. The Republican National Committee has cited a few factors that may not be particularly helpful to President Biden's reelection campaign. The committee offered a terse comment Tuesday -- the same day that the White House proposed new regulations to protect workers from excessive heat on the job. Published July 2, 2024

New Jersey 101.5 talk radio host Bill Spadea is remaining on the air after declaring that he will run for governor of the Garden State in 2025. (Image courtesy of Bill Spadea and Bill Spadea for Governor 2025).

Tuning in to New Jersey dispute over radio-host candidate

Things can get a little complicated when members of the news media decide to run for office. The New Jersey Elections Law Enforcement Commission held a hearing last week on whether Bill Spadea, a morning host on 101.5 WKXW-FM, can remain on the air after declaring that he will run next year for Garden State governor. Published July 1, 2024

Delegates cheer during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. This year's version is set to begin on July 15 in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

After debate, Republican National Convention is next big event

The debate between Donald Trump and President Biden was a red-letter date for news media and public alike. Now get ready for another red-letter date. "In less than 20 days, upwards of 50,000 delegates, officials, guests, and members of the media will flock to Milwaukee for the 2024 Republican National Convention," reports the event's Committee on Arrangements. Published June 27, 2024

There's more happening in the political world this week than a presidential debate. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has shared a lengthy list of activities in the U.S. House this week with Inside the Beltway. (AP PHOTO)

Scalise releases details on week of House hearings

There's more happening in the political world this week than a presidential debate. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has shared a lengthy list of activities in the House this week with Inside the Beltway. Published June 24, 2024

In this Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, file photo, a student walks in front of the Old Main building on the Penn State campus in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Bill for student-loan cancellations comes in — nearly $3,100 per household

"The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has updated its baseline estimates of how much the federal student loan program will cost taxpayers, and the numbers aren't pretty. The latest official estimates show that taxpayers will spend $393 billion on the federal student loan program between 2024 and 2034, or around $3,100 per household," advises a new analysis from Preston Cooper, who covers policy issues for Forbes. Published June 23, 2024

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, speaks at a campaign event Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Racine, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Media speculation on the Donald Trump veepstakes continues

So whom will former President Donald Trump pick for his running mate as the campaign season rolls on? The news media continue to fixate on the possible identity of the future vice president, complete with lists of favorites, speculation, and much analysis. Here are some headlines from the past 72 hours. Published June 20, 2024

Four in five Americans acknowledge belief in conspiracy theories, which can also apply to politics according to Oddspedia.com, an online source of many odds — including the political. Here is the U.S. Capitol at dawn. (AP Photo)

Loving that conspiracy

The nation appears to be quite taken with whispered tales, political possibilities and provocative legends. Yes, there is a poll about this, and here it is. Published June 19, 2024