About Lisa @LisaDNews
Lisa Desjardins is a correspondent for PBS NewsHour, where she covers news from the U.S. Capitol while also traveling across the country to report on how decisions in Washington affect people where they live and work.
She specializes in breaking down complex stories and political disagreements into the key pieces that matter, often translating numbers and fiscal information into accessible stories for the audience.
Prior to joining NewsHour, Desjardins spent nearly ten years with CNN as a senior correspondent and Capitol Hill reporter. Prior to CNN, she reported for the Associated Press, WBTW-TV, WIS-TV, WTS-TV, Reuters, and The Sun News. At WIS in Columbia, South Carolina, she broke news of the compromise to bring down the Confederate flag from the state house dome.
Desjardins earned a bachelor’s degree at the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She also received a first level graduate degree in Russian Studies from the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia.
Desjardins is the recipient of a Peabody Award for CNN’s coverage of the 2008 election and a Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi award for national breaking news for coverage of the Haiti earthquake.
Lisa’s Recent Stories
Politics Jan 20
Biden signs executive actions aimed at undoing Trump’s legacyPresident Biden began his time in office by signing 17 executive actions, with plans to undo many of former President Trump's signature policies, like rejoining the Paris climate accord and beginning a national mask mandate on federal property. Biden's actions…
Politics Jan 19
As Trump considers pardons, Democrats push for his impeachment trialAs Congress looked ahead to governing under President-elect Biden, President Trump was said to be considering a volley of potential pardons before he leaves office. And Democrats continued to figure out what an impeachment trial for the outgoing president may…
Politics Jan 14
Investigations intensify in the wake of the Capitol riot as inauguration approachesThe timing of a Senate impeachment trial for President Trump remains up in the air, as authorities investigate potential threats during the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, who is planning a nearly $2 trillion economic package to combat COVID-19 and…
Politics Jan 13
House votes to impeach Trump for a second timeA week after a violent riot engulfed the Capitol, the U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Trump with a charge of instigating the assault. Lisa Desjardins reports.
Nation Jan 08
What we saw the day the Capitol was attackedOn Jan. 6, for the first time in more than two centuries, Congress was attacked and overrun, this time by its own citizens. The PBS NewsHour's anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff talks to correspondents Lisa Desjardins, Amna Nawaz and…
Politics Jan 05
WATCH: Congress resumes electoral vote count after protesters storm U.S. CapitolWatch PBS NewsHour special coverage of the joint session of Congress starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Politics Jan 05
Tensions rise as Congress prepares to certify election resultsIt is a transition like no other with President Trump denying election results and defying the democratic process. In Washington D.C., hundreds met outside the U.S. Capitol in support of the president -- a preview of what's expected to be…
Politics Jan 04
U.S. Senate hangs in the balance as candidates make final push in GeorgiaLawmakers returned to Washington, D.C this week, but control of the U.S. Senate still hangs in the balance. It all comes down to two senate runoff elections tomorrow in Georgia. Lisa Desjardins reports on the final push for control of…
Politics Dec 11
COVID relief negotiations stumble near finish line. What’s next?Lawmakers have worked feverishly and have nearly reached a deal, but the final points of disagreement, over COVID-related lawsuits and funding for state and local governments, have proven to be treacherous for compromise.
Politics Dec 07
How rocky presidential transitions have shaped American historyFor most of American history, the transition from president to president-elect has been smooth. The loser accepts his fate, publicly concedes and the winner prepares to take the reigns. And although this election and President Donald Trump’s response to losing…