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.

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Articles by Jennifer Harper

Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., greets President Donald Trump as he steps off Air Force One upon arrival at the Orlando Sanford International Airport, Monday, March 9, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ** FILE **

DeSantis campaign moving right along after Day 1 glitch

There was much mockery and criticism in the mainstream media after mysterious technical issues compromised the debut of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on the presidential campaign trail. The New York Times, for example, deemed it "the conference call from hell." Published May 25, 2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a fundraising picnic for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

DeSantis presidential announcement rocks the media

The mainstream press is often all dressed up with nowhere to go -- but not this week. The press is busy making predictions and mulling the chances that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis might end up in the White House after the 2024 presidential election. Published May 24, 2023

President Biden speaks about the debt limit talks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden’s dismal approval numbers linger

Let's just cut to the chase. A new Associated Press survey has some disconcerting news for the White House. Numbers tell all -- 78% of U.S. adults say "things in this country" are heading in the wrong direction. Published May 23, 2023

A fresh $100 bill is seen in this image of U.S. currency. (AP PHOTO; file)

Report from Federal Reserve shows economic well-being tanking

The Federal Reserve issued a review of the nation's financial situation on Monday. The detailed 84-page report titled "Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2022" tracks income, expenses, employment and other pocketbook considerations. Published May 22, 2023

The latest state jobs report shows that eight of the top 10 states for jobs recovered since the coronavirus pandemic began are led by Republican governors, and all 10 states have Republican-controlled legislatures. Out of the top 10 states with the lowest unemployment rates, eight are led by Republican governors,” advises a new report from the Republican National Committee. (AP PHOTO)

GOP governors, state legislatures leading nation in job growth

Here's a positive phenomenon backed up with numbers: Republican governors appear to govern better. The latest state jobs report shows that eight of the top 10 states for jobs recovered since the coronavirus pandemic began are led by Republican governors, and all 10 states have Republican-controlled legislatures. Published May 21, 2023

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a campaign rally, Thursday, May 11, 2023, in Urbandale, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

GOP hopeful Ramaswamy dubbed the ‘anti-woke’ candidate

Longtime news correspondent and ABC News commentator John Stossel has penned a column for HotAir.com with a telling title: "President Ramaswamy?" The newsman spent some time with Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential hopeful and entrepreneur. Published May 18, 2023

U.S. Border Patrol agents patrol the Rio Grande River in boats in Mission, Texas, Thursday, May 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Veronica G. Cardenas) **FILE**

Florida to the rescue

The Sunshine State is looking out for the Lone Star State. Published May 17, 2023

First Lady Jill Biden arrives at Westminster Abbey prior to the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles III in London Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Jill Biden to go abroad to tout administration’s investment in broadband access

Where is first lady Jill Biden off to on Wednesday? The White House has the answer. Published May 16, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis talks during a press conference before signing legislation on Monday, May 15, 2023, at New College of Florida in Sarasota, Fla. DeSantis signed a bill that blocks public colleges from using federal or state funding on diversity programs, addressing a concern of conservatives ahead of the Republican governor's expected presidential candidacy. The law, which DeSantis proposed earlier this year, comes as Republicans across the country target programs on diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP)

Florida jettisons ‘diversity, equity, inclusion’ in higher education

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation into law on Monday to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, in higher education. Senate Bill 266 was approved by the state legislators on May 3. Among other things, the bill prevents public colleges and universities from spending taxpayer dollars on programs which emphasize DEI directives. Published May 15, 2023

Former President Donald Trump speaks at the National Rifle Association Convention in Indianapolis, on April 14, 2023.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Trump effect will give pollsters a headache in 2024

"Major pollsters in business and academia are once again beginning to get nervous about their ability to accurately predict the outcome of elections. And once again, the reason is the unpredictability and unreadability of Donald Trump voters," wrote Rick Moran, a columnist for PJ Media, in an analysis released Sunday. Published May 14, 2023

Kindergartener Crue Scott 6, gives his mother, Cassie Johnson, a hug during the Mother's Day Tea Party at Whitesville Elementary School in Whitesville, Ky., on Friday, May 12, 2023. This is the return of the long-standing tradition of the tea party at the school since it was stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alan Warren/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)/The Messenger-Inquirer via AP)

Mom forever: Americans to drop record-breaking 35.7 billion on Mother’s Day

She's never meant more. Published May 13, 2023

President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, April 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Now ‘Bidengate’ appears — and 69% in poll say it’s serious

Yes, someone has deployed this telling descriptor, which of course dates back to "Watergate," the political scandal that troubled the administration of then-President Richard Nixon 50 years ago. "BidenGate?" asks a new Rasmussen Reports poll released Thursday. Published May 11, 2023

Shoppers shop at a grocery store in Glenview, Ill., Monday, July 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Here we go again with bad news on the inflation front

Dismal news seems to follow each monthly release of the consumer price index -- and the latest is no exception. Published May 10, 2023

In this Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 file photo, pharmacy technician Sochi Evans fills a syringe with a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Texas Southern University in Houston. Coronavirus cases are continuing to decline in the U.S. after a winter surge. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)

Agency gets back to work — on bat coronaviruses with Chinese scientists

"Three years after then-President Donald Trump pressured the National Institutes of Health to suspend a research grant to a U.S. group studying bat coronaviruses with partners in China, the agency has restarted the award," advises a report from Science, a publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Published May 9, 2023

Nationally syndicated talk radio icon Chris Plante joins Newsmax as host of a new primetime offering called “Chris Plante The Right Squad.” His debut guests included Rep. Matt Gaetz, Florida Republican; conservative communications specialist Mercedes Schlapp, plus University of Maryland professor and Democratic strategist Jason Nichols. (IMAGE COURTESY OF NEWSMAX)

Chris Plante joins prime-time lineup at Newsmax

The airwaves may never be the same again. A round of applause, please, for nationally syndicated talk radio host Chris Plante -- who debuted Monday night as host of a new Newsmax prime-time offering called "Chris Plante: The Right Squad." Published May 8, 2023

The Republican presidential hopeful Doanld Trump is surrounded by the news media while on the campaign trail in 2016, seen here in a stop in Las Vegas, Nev. (Associated Press)

2024 presidential race seems like the old times of 2016

It's been seven years since the 2016 presidential election, which landed Republican hopeful Donald Trump in the White House. He may end up returning to the White House in 2024 if certain "underlying dynamics" continue to sway voters in Mr. Trump's favor, according to New York Times columnist Ross Douthat. Published May 7, 2023

Washington Times national security correspondent Bill Gertz is also the author of 11 books — including “Deceiving the Sky: Inside Communist China’s Drive for Global Supremacy,” published in 2019 by Encounter Books. It has been named to the list of "The 20 Best Communism Books of All Time,” just issued by BookAuthority.com.

Gertz’s China book named among the best ever about communism

A round of applause, please, for The Washington Times' own Bill Gertz -- whose work has been recognized on a global scale. Mr. Gertz was named on a new list titled "The 20 Best Communism Books of All Time," just issued by BookAuthority.com, a notable source for such judgments. Published May 4, 2023