Evan Perez is a prominent American journalist currently serving as a Senior Justice Correspondent for CNN. Born in Belize City, Belize, Perez studied journalism at the University of South Florida in Tampa before building a distinguished career covering national security, federal law enforcement, and legal affairs. His detailed coverage of high-profile government investigations has established him as a highly trusted voice in national news broadcasting.
Early Career and Education
Evan Perez began his professional reporting journey in Miami as a correspondent for The Associated Press. During this time, he developed a solid grounding in beat reporting and breaking news coverage. His strong investigative skills eventually led him to major print publications, expanding his national profile.
Before joining national television, Perez spent over a dozen years at The Wall Street Journal covering a wide range of topics. His beats included real estate, commercial aviation, major corporate affairs, and coverage of national disasters like Hurricane Katrina. His work at the Journal laid the foundation for his shift toward lead legal and justice reporting.
Major Investigative Breakthroughs
While leading Justice coverage for The Wall Street Journal, Perez broke several significant legal stories. He helped uncover key details regarding the complaint that sparked the federal investigation into former CIA Director David Petraeus. These major scoops established his reputation as a formidable investigative reporter inside the Washington press corps.
At CNN, Perez continued to deliver major national news first, including breaking early reporting on federal charges related to the Benghazi diplomatic compound attack. He also regularly covers complex Department of Justice matters, federal criminal indictments, and major political probes. His ability to navigate intricate legal filings makes his reporting clear and authoritative.
Awards and Recognized Reporting
Perez earned prestigious recognition for his role in covering critical national security and political stories. He was awarded the White House Correspondents' Association's Merriman Smith Award alongside CNN colleagues Jake Tapper, Carl Bernstein, and Jim Sciutto. The award recognized their groundbreaking broadcast report regarding intelligence briefings on potential foreign influence.
In addition to broadcast honors, his investigative work on federal law enforcement has contributed significantly to public understanding of high-stakes legal cases. He frequently appears on major network programs to analyze complex judicial developments. This history of rigorous, accurate journalism highlights his commitment to transparency and objective reporting.
Current Role and Professional Impact
Today, Perez continues to lead justice and legal reporting from CNN's Washington bureau. He covers national security threats, federal grand jury investigations, and ongoing legal disputes involving government agencies. His career trajectory illustrates the impactful role of experienced investigative journalists in modern media.