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Danielle Battaglia

@daniellebattaglia

Washington correspondent for The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer and McClatchy DC. Mainly covering Congress with an #ncpol twist and sometimes the White House.

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Latest posts by Danielle Battaglia @daniellebattaglia

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Trump fires DHS’ Noem following tense hearings with NC’s Tillis, Ross over Helene President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is out, following weeks of scrutiny from lawmakers like Sens. Thom Tillis, Ted Budd and Rep. Debora...

Trump fires DHS’ Noem following tense hearings with NC’s Tillis, Ross over Helene #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

05.03.2026 22:38 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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An NC candidate for U.S. Senate faces charges that he injured Capitol police Brian McGinnis, a candidate for U.S. Senate, may have broken his arm as he wrestled with Capitol police after an outburst in a congressional hearing.

"As they pulled, video shows, McGinnis’ arm was jerked downward and made a cracking sound. “His hand,” several people shout, followed by several exasperated exclamations."

I'm not sure how I could have been more detailed.

05.03.2026 18:59 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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An NC candidate for U.S. Senate faces charges that he injured Capitol police Brian McGinnis, a candidate for U.S. Senate, may have broken his arm as he wrestled with Capitol police after an outburst in a congressional hearing.

An NC candidate for U.S. Senate faces charges that he injured Capitol police. He's also on paid administrative leave from Raleigh Fire Department. #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

05.03.2026 18:54 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 2 📌 0
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Whatley pledges federal ‘Iryna’s Law’ in first event after NC GOP primary win Whatley held the event one day after winning the Republican primary and revealed several law enforcement endorsements.

Whatley pledges federal ‘Iryna’s Law’ in first event after NC GOP primary win #ncpol

Read more at: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

04.03.2026 23:26 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 2
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NC Congresswoman Deborah Ross to Kristi Noem 'You should resign or be impeached' North Carolina Congresswoman Deborah Ross berates Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem about releasing FEMA funding for North Carolina communities impacted by Helene in a contentious hearing, We...

NC Congresswoman Deborah Ross to Kristi Noem 'You should resign or be impeached' #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

04.03.2026 22:24 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Cooper lays out plan to lower grocery costs, help farmers from Washington Fresh off winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, former Gov. Roy Cooper lays out his plan to help families and farmers tackle the cost of groceries.

Senate candidate Roy Cooper lays out plan to lower grocery costs, help farmers from Washington #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

04.03.2026 20:11 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
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Cooper, Whatley win primaries in NC’s Senate race, setting up November showdown Polls closed, results are coming in. Who is leading North Carolina’s race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis?

Cooper, Whatley win primaries in NC’s Senate race, setting up November showdown #ncpol

www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...

04.03.2026 02:02 👍 5 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Thom Tillis accuses Kristi Noem of violating the law, says she ‘failed at FEMA’ The senator from NC again called for the resignation of the Homeland Security Secretary and threatened to block her department’s nomination.

Thom Tillis accuses Kristi Noem of violating the law, says she ‘failed at FEMA’ (and much more). #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

03.03.2026 20:02 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Gas prices rise sharply in NC and nationwide after weekend attack on Iran The average price of a gallon of regular gas was 15 cents higher in North Carolina on Tuesday than the day before, according to AAA.

Gas prices rise sharply in NC and nationwide after weekend attack on Iran

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

03.03.2026 15:20 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Republicans fight to keep NC’s Senate seat. Can any of them beat Cooper? Six Republicans are running for the seat, including President Donald Trump’s pick, Michael Whatley.

Republicans fight to keep NC’s Senate seat. Can any of them beat Cooper? #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

12.02.2026 13:04 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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President Trump and first lady to visit North Carolina this week President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump plan to meet with troops at Fort Bragg to thank them for their service in Venezuela.

President Trump and first lady to visit North Carolina this week #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

10.02.2026 20:49 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Senate candidate Michele Morrow says NC is done electing ‘party power players’ Senate candidate Michele Morrow wants to see former Gov. Roy Cooper retire and thinks she’s the Republican to make that happen.

Senate candidate Michele Morrow says NC is done electing ‘party power players’ #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

09.02.2026 17:41 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Why Senate candidate Don Brown predicts he can beat better-known NC rivals Senate candidate Don Brown was angered by Sen. Thom Tillis’ opposition to Secretary Pete Hegseth’s nomination and launched his campaign.

Why Senate candidate Don Brown predicts he can beat better-known NC rivals #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

09.02.2026 17:39 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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First lady meets with Chapel Hill native who was held hostage by Hamas The Siegel family thanks the Trumps for their commitment to getting hostages released, including Chapel Hill native Keith Siegel.

First lady meets with Chapel Hill native who was held hostage by Hamas #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

09.02.2026 15:51 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Trump’s favorability has fallen in North Carolina, a new poll shows President Donald Trump’s favorability has dropped. Here’s what North Carolina residents say about his work.

Trump’s favorability has fallen in North Carolina, a new poll shows #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

02.02.2026 14:30 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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NC’s Thom Tillis calls for Kristi Noem’s removal — and not just over Minneapolis Sen. Thom Tillis called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s ouster, saying her policies “inflicted needless pain” on vulnerable people.

NC’s Thom Tillis calls for Kristi Noem’s removal — and not just over Minneapolis #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

29.01.2026 18:58 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
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Same job, different title: NC’s Mark Walker navigates around Senate approval Senators said former Rep. Mark Walker did not have the votes to be confirmed to lead on international religious freedom. But the Trump administration found a path without lawmakers.

Similar job, different title: NC’s Mark Walker navigates around Senate approval #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

09.01.2026 22:20 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Feds threaten to withhold NC highway funding over immigrant driver’s licenses U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles has illegally issued nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses.

Feds threaten to withhold NC highway funding over immigrant driver’s licenses #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

08.01.2026 23:15 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Tillis lashes out at Stephen Miller over Greenland claim, calling it ‘stupid’ Sen. Thom Tillis called White House aide Stephen Miller’s behavior “amateurish” after a CNN interview contending Greenland should be part of the United States.

Tillis lashes out at Stephen Miller over Greenland claim, calling it ‘stupid’ #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

07.01.2026 23:24 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Some news: On Oct. 31, my company decided to close our D.C. bureau.

It also offered me the opportunity to stay on and cover Congress if I move back to North Carolina.

I’m wrapping up my final two weeks in Washington before moving back to Raleigh.

See you soon #ncpol!

07.01.2026 15:04 👍 7 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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Sen. Thom Tillis pushes to hang plaque in Capitol honoring Jan. 6 law enforcement Sen. Thom Tillis announced a plan to ensure a plaque honoring the first responders in the attack on the Capitol are permanently recognized for their heroics.

Sen. Thom Tillis pushes to hang plaque in Capitol honoring Jan. 6 law enforcement #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

06.01.2026 23:20 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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NC’s Sen. Ted Budd wants answers on Venezuela plan, even as he supports attack Sen. Ted Budd agrees with keeping the attack on Venezuela secret from Congress, but seeks oversight in the aftermath.

NC’s Sen. Ted Budd wants answers on Venezuela plan, even as he supports attack #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

06.01.2026 19:27 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Thank you for flagging that. Trying to quickly catch up on foreign policy can be tricky and I can't say I've covered Venezuela before. Obviously, I dropped the ball on Fentanyl, but we're updating the story to reflect this information.

06.01.2026 02:09 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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North Carolina’s Senate candidates react to capture of Venezuelan leader Candidates running to replace Sen. Thom Tillis react to the Trump administration’s capture of Nicolás Maduro.

North Carolina’s Senate candidates react to capture of Venezuelan leader #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

05.01.2026 23:15 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
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NC lawmakers top lists for speeches, conservative votes. See their year in review North Carolina’s members of Congress just completed one year in the current session of Congress. We review how they performed in 2025.

NC lawmakers top lists for speeches, conservative votes. See their year in review #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

05.01.2026 16:12 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Jan. 6 deposition, Epstein files, federal funding await Congress’ NC delegation North Carolina’s congressional delegation comes back from the holidays this week to news of the Epstein files, the Jack Smith deposition and a potential government shutdown.

Jan. 6 deposition, Epstein files, federal funding await Congress’ NC delegation #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

05.01.2026 16:08 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Tillis joins US senators telling Trump that Putin is a ‘ruthless murderer’ As peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are underway, North Carolina’s Thom Tillis joined other senators sending the warning to President Donald Trump after a Christmas attack.

Tillis joins US senators telling Trump that Putin is a ‘ruthless murderer’ #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

31.12.2025 12:55 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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After joining lawsuit, NC Attorney General recovers $17 million in federal grants Attorney General Jeff Jackson sued Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FEMA after changes reduced grants expected to help with Helene costs and more.

After joining lawsuit, NC Attorney General recovers $17 million in federal grants #ncpol

Read more at: www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

30.12.2025 14:51 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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Trump makes case for Michael Whatley and addresses economy in Rocky Mount speech President Donald Trump spoke for an hour and a half Friday night in Rocky Mount.

Trump makes case for Michael Whatley and addresses economy in Rocky Mount speech #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

20.12.2025 05:21 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Trump leaves Rocky Mount without endorsing in NC’s crowded 1st district primary President Donald Trump stopped in NC’s 1st Congressional District on Friday night, but he focused on Senate candidate Michael Whatley.

Trump leaves Rocky Mount without endorsing in NC’s crowded 1st district primary #ncpol

www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

20.12.2025 05:19 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0