Cat Zakrzewski

Cat Zakrzewski
Born	Catherine Zakrzewski
Nationality	American
Occupation	Journalist
Employer	The Washington Post
Known for	Technology policy reporting, covering the intersection of politics and Silicon Valley

Catherine "Cat" Zakrzewski is an American journalist who covers the intersection of technology, policy, and politics for The Washington Post. As a reporter on the newspaper's national desk, Zakrzewski has established herself as a prominent voice covering how government policy shapes and is shaped by the technology industry, with particular focus on areas including artificial intelligence regulation, social media governance, and the political influence of major technology companies. Her reporting has addressed some of the most consequential debates of the digital era, from congressional efforts to regulate Big Tech to the implications of AI policy under successive presidential administrations. At The Washington Post, Zakrzewski has contributed to coverage spanning the Trump and Biden administrations' approaches to technology, providing readers with detailed analysis of legislative and executive actions affecting Silicon Valley and the broader tech ecosystem.

Career

The Washington Post

Zakrzewski works as a reporter at The Washington Post, where she covers technology policy and the relationship between Washington and Silicon Valley. Her beat encompasses a wide range of subjects at the nexus of government and the technology industry, including federal and state regulation of artificial intelligence, data privacy legislation, antitrust actions against major technology firms, and the political activities of tech executives and companies.

Her reporting has frequently examined the policy positions and political strategies of major technology companies as they navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Zakrzewski's work at the newspaper has placed her at the center of coverage regarding how successive administrations have approached the governance of emerging technologies.

Coverage of AI Policy

A significant portion of Zakrzewski's reporting has focused on artificial intelligence policy, an area of growing legislative and executive interest. In March 2026, she reported on efforts by the Trump administration to ask Congress to block state-level limits on artificial intelligence, a move that reflected the White House's aim to codify policies protecting AI companies' interests. The reporting noted that the initiative came despite past opposition from many Republican governors, highlighting tensions within the Republican Party over the appropriate level of government intervention in the technology sector.

This reporting illustrated a broader theme in Zakrzewski's work: the evolving and sometimes contradictory approaches that political figures and parties take toward technology regulation. The Trump administration's push to preempt state AI regulations represented a significant federal intervention into what had been an area of growing state-level activity, with numerous states proposing or enacting their own frameworks for governing artificial intelligence applications.

Political Coverage

Zakrzewski's reporting extends beyond technology-specific policy to encompass broader political dynamics, particularly as they relate to the intersection of politics, media, and technology. Her coverage has included analysis of political communication strategies in the digital age.

In February 2026, she contributed to reporting examining the relevance of the State of the Union address in an era of algorithm-driven social media feeds, noting that the audience for such speeches is increasingly fragmented and entrenched in their political views. This piece reflected her interest in how technology platforms and digital media consumption patterns are reshaping traditional political institutions and communication.

Zakrzewski has also reported on the political dynamics of the Trump presidency more broadly. In January 2026, she contributed to coverage scrutinizing the optics and logistics of Trump's extended stays at Mar-a-Lago, describing his remote presidency during a 14th consecutive day at the Florida residence and private club.

Her reporting in early 2026 also covered the political fallout from military actions, including coverage of Trump's statement that the United States struck Kharg Island, described as the core of Iran's oil economy, noting that the strikes destroyed more than 90 military targets including missile facilities but preserved oil infrastructure.

Zakrzewski additionally reported on the criticism directed at Trump for wearing a baseball cap during a dignified transfer ceremony for soldiers killed in military operations, an event that generated sustained public debate.

Her coverage has also examined the political coalitions underlying the Trump presidency. In March 2026, she reported on growing discontent among young voters who had supported Trump, noting that they were a key part of the coalition that powered his political comeback and that their frustrations signaled potential vulnerability for Republicans.

Additional reporting by Zakrzewski has addressed the intersection of politics and national celebrations, including coverage of how Trump allies expanded their role in planning America's 250th anniversary, with two groups—one with the imprimatur of Congress and the other with Trump's backing—jockeying to host celebrations for the milestone.

She also reported on the consequences of a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated tariffs, examining how Trump lost what advisers had viewed as a favorite negotiating tool he had touted to make peace and generate revenue. The reporting noted that advisers had seen the ruling as a release valve for economic pressure and political divisions.

The Technology 202

At The Washington Post, Zakrzewski has been associated with the newspaper's technology policy coverage, contributing to its reporting infrastructure that tracks the relationship between Washington policymakers and the technology industry. Her work has spanned newsletters, analysis pieces, and breaking news coverage related to tech policy developments.

Reporting Focus and Themes

Across her body of work, several recurring themes emerge in Zakrzewski's journalism. Her reporting consistently examines the tension between innovation and regulation, documenting how policymakers attempt to balance the economic benefits of technological development with concerns about consumer protection, national security, and democratic governance. She has tracked how both Democratic and Republican administrations have approached these questions differently, providing readers with detailed accounts of the political calculations and policy debates behind major technology decisions.

A particular strength of her coverage has been its attention to the political dynamics within the technology policy space—not merely what policies are proposed, but the coalitions that form to support or oppose them, the lobbying strategies employed by industry groups, and the ways in which technology policy intersects with broader political narratives and electoral considerations.

Her reporting on AI regulation has been especially timely, coming during a period of rapid advancement in artificial intelligence capabilities and growing public and governmental concern about the technology's implications. By documenting the Trump administration's efforts to preempt state-level AI regulation, Zakrzewski captured a pivotal moment in the debate over how the United States would govern one of the most consequential technologies of the twenty-first century.

Recognition

Zakrzewski's work at The Washington Post has positioned her as a recognized voice in technology policy journalism. Her reporting has been cited and referenced in discussions about the intersection of government and technology, and her coverage of AI policy, in particular, has contributed to public understanding of complex regulatory debates. As a reporter for one of the nation's leading newspapers, her work reaches a broad audience and contributes to the national conversation about technology governance.