Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Trump revives push to downgrade marijuana in federal drug laws
Marijuana might not be on the federal government's list of most restricted drugs for much longer. Published December 12, 2025
Dow hits record high as Trump tries to soothe Americans’ economic frustration
The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached an all-time intraday record on Thursday, sparking a victory lap from President Trump, who is tired of getting low marks on the economy. Published December 11, 2025
Sens. Josh Hawley, Maggie Hassan tell tech companies to crack down on AI-driven scams
Scammers are adept at using artificial intelligence to fleece people, from fake phone calls that mimic a grandparent's voice to emails that replicate official requests from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Published December 11, 2025
Fed delivers third cut in rates amid job struggles as Trump calls for bolder action
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut interest rates by 0.25%, its third successive cut, as hiring woes overtake inflation fears as the central bank's main concern. Published December 10, 2025
Trump threatens new tariffs on Mexico if it does not release water under 1944 treaty
President Trump threatened to impose an additional 5% tariff on Mexican products if the southern neighbor does not comply with a decades-old treaty that requires the nations to share water from the Colorado River and the Rio Grande. Published December 9, 2025
Trump hitting the road to gain upper hand on the affordability debate
President Trump will outline his plan to tackle persistent inflation and economic concerns during a stop in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, effectively kicking off a midterm election season that will focus on Americans' finances. Published December 8, 2025
Trump announces $12 billion ‘bridge’ bailout for farmers
President Trump unveiled a long-awaited $12 billion bailout package Monday for farmers hurt by high prices and trade wars with China and other nations. Published December 8, 2025
The World Cup is here: Trump looms over 2026 draw at Kennedy Center
President Trump loves to be center stage in trade deals, peace pacts and televised Cabinet meetings. On Friday, he took over the globe's biggest sporting event -- the FIFA World Cup. Published December 5, 2025
Fed confronts ‘hardest’ decision on interest rates in final meeting of the year
The Federal Reserve faces a tough decision when it convenes Tuesday for a two-day meeting to determine whether to cut interest rates for a third consecutive time or hold off due to concerns about inflation. Published December 5, 2025
Job cuts surpass 1.1M in 2025, highest level since COVID pandemic
Companies have cut more than 1 million jobs so far this year, a consulting firm said Thursday, citing restructuring, artificial intelligence and economic factors such as tariffs as the key drivers of layoffs. Published December 4, 2025
Village People, Andrea Bocelli to perform at Trump-tinged World Cup draw, FIFA says
The Village People will close out the World Cup draw Friday in Washington, FIFA said in a lineup announcement that confirms President Trump's impact on the globe's biggest sporting event. Published December 3, 2025
U.S. private payrolls saw an unexpected decline of 32,000 in November
Private employers shed 32,000 jobs in November, driven by a sharp decline among small businesses, the payroll company ADP reported Wednesday. Published December 3, 2025
Trump to name Fed chair successor ‘early next year’; someone willing to cut rates early and often
President Trump said Tuesday that he plans to wait until early 2026 to name his pick to lead the Federal Reserve. Published December 2, 2025
Costco sues Trump to lock in tariff refunds ahead of Supreme Court decision
Costco Wholesale Corp. is suing the Trump administration in an attempt to secure refunds if the Supreme Court invalidates President Trump's use of a 1977 law to impose unilateral levies on dozens of trading partners. Published December 2, 2025
Trump team defends 2nd strike on drug boat as lawmakers worry about war crime
President Trump huddled with his national security team Monday evening at the White House amid a growing firestorm about a deadly "follow-on strike" by U.S. forces on a Venezuelan boat suspected of carrying drugs through international waters on Sept. 2. Published December 1, 2025
Results of Trump’s MRI ‘perfectly normal,’ White House physician says
A White House physician said Monday that he ordered magnetic resonance imaging of President Trump as a routine check to ensure he is in good cardiovascular and abdominal health. Published December 1, 2025
Manufacturing sags for ninth straight month, index says
U.S. manufacturing contracted for a ninth consecutive month, according to a closely watched index released on Monday that showed mixed signals about the economy and heaped pressure on President Trump to deliver on his "made-in-America" promises. Published December 1, 2025
White House says commander, not Pete Hegseth, gave ‘second strike’ order on Venezuelan boat
The White House on Monday said Adm. Frank M. "Mitch" Bradley was responsible for the deadly and controversial second strike on a Venezuelan boat suspected of carrying drugs through international waters on Sept. 2. Published December 1, 2025
‘Home Is Where the Heart Is’: First lady Melania Trump unveils Christmas decor theme
First lady Melania Trump unveiled on Monday the White House's Christmas decor. Published December 1, 2025
Trump says he’s settled on a Federal Reserve chair pick and will announce it soon
President Trump says he knows who he will appoint to lead the Federal Reserve. Published December 1, 2025
