Jalen Beckford is a breaking news reporter for POLITICO, covering major news in politics in Washington and around the country.

Before joining POLITICO in August 2026, Jalen was a digital producer at Punchbowl News, where he copy edited and produced the publication’s flagship AM newsletter. He also produced The Daily Punch podcast and helped lead the publication’s expansion into digital video.

Jalen previously was an assignment editor in CNN’s Washington bureau, where he reported and wrote breaking political news for CNN.com and coordinated coverage across the network’s newsgathering operation. His work included coverage of the White House, Congress and the 2024 presidential election.

A Georgia native, Jalen graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism and a minor in communication studies. While in college, he interned with CNN and NBC News. He is based in the Washington, D.C., area.