A news or feature picture that depicts a unique or behind-the-scenes view of Washington politicians, people relating to politics or other Washington insiders (but not the President of the United States and not taken on Capitol Hill). Pictures taken outside Washington, D.C. must prominently feature a Washington insider. Any candidate for U.S. President is considered a Washington insider.
First Place
Jabin Botsford, The Washington Post
Chief: White House Chief of Staff General John Kelly listens as President Donald J. Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Thursday, June 21, 2018 in Washington, DC.
Second Place
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
The Man Behind The President: Senior Advisor to the President Stephen Miller walks behind U.S. President Donald Trump as he talks to reporters before they depart the White House for the G7 summit and a meeting with North Korean leaders June 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. A protege of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Miller has helped to craft Trump's domestic policy, including the so-called Muslim ban and the zero-tolerance policy on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Third Place
Jessica Koscielniak, McClatchy
Campaign lunch: After spending the morning knocking on doors, U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) shares a moment with his daughter Molly, 10, while eating lunch with his family and campaign staff at a Whataburger November 3, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. During the last weekend of he midterm election cycle the O’Rourke campaign knocked on over 1 million doors in their final effort to unseat his opponent incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).
Award of Excellence
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Sessions & Rosenstein: U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein attend the Religious Liberty Summit at the Department of Justice July 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. Rosenstein has recently been cited by the House Freedom caucus as a potential impeachment target for allegedly not releasing documents requested by members of Congress.
Award of Excellence
Al Drago, The New York Times
Manafort Movin': Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, departs with his spokesman, Jason Maloni, left, after his arraignment hearing, at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Va., March 8, 2018.
Award of Excellence
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Kelly: White House Chief of Staff John Kelly (C) places his hand over his heart during the playing of ‟Taps” while joining members of the White House staff in observing a moment of silence on the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on September 11, 2018 in Washington, DC. Kelly served as Chief of Staff for only 18 months.
Award of Excellence
Doug Mills, The New York Times
Don't mind me: First Lady Melania Trump sits on the couch as members of the press gather around her as she joins a meeting between President Trump Their Majesties King Felipe VI of Spain in the Oval Office, Tuesday June 19, 2018.
Award of Excellence
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Beto: As sweat pours down his face, U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) addresses a campaign rally at the House of Blues on November 05, 2018 in Houston, Texas. With less than 24 hours until Election Day, polls have shown the gap narrow between O'Rourke his opponent, incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).