Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
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
Trump defends Hegseth over reports of a second strike on alleged drug boat
President Trump on Sunday downplayed reports that his defense secretary ordered military members to strike a suspected drug boat a second time after an initial strike failed to kill two crewmen. Published November 30, 2025
Trump does not plan to send troops into Venezuela, Sen. Markwayne Mullin says
Sen. Markwayne Mullin said Sunday that President Trump does not plan to attack Venezuela. Published November 30, 2025
Suspect in Guardsmen shooting may have been radicalized after settling in U.S., Trump officials say
Top Trump administration officials said Sunday that the Afghan refugee accused of shooting two National Guard members before Thanksgiving in the nation's capital likely had been radicalized in the U.S. after entering the country in 2021. Published November 30, 2025
Economic doomsayers rebuffed by robust post-Thanksgiving sales, White House chief economist says
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Sunday that retailers enjoyed a "blockbuster" sales weekend after Thanksgiving despite narratives about economic pessimism under President Trump. Published November 30, 2025
Homeland Security Secretary Noem: All vetting of Guard shooting suspect took place under Biden
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Sunday the Biden administration is squarely to blame for any vetting failures that occurred in resettling the Afghan refugee accused of shooting two National Guardsmen in Washington before Thanksgiving. Published November 30, 2025
Second National Guardsman shot in D.C. ambush is ‘hanging on,’ West Virginia congressman says
Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia said the family of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe is pleading for prayers as the National Guardsman fights to survive an ambush attack in Washington on the day before Thanksgiving. Published November 30, 2025
Mark Kelly rips ‘unqualified’ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid video probe
Sen. Mark Kelly said Sunday that President Trump "doesn't understand the Constitution" and that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be fired for his handling of multiple issues. Published November 30, 2025
Patriotic vibes and tariff fears fuel uptick in ‘Made in USA’ shopping this holiday season
Shoppers are more likely to buy American-made products than last season, a top U.S. manufacturing group says, pointing to President Trump's tariffs and patriotic fervor as the main drivers. Published November 27, 2025
Businesses lobby against Trump’s tariffs with Grinch ads for Christmas
A lobbying group is running ads this Christmas shopping season that say President Trump's tariffs are turning "holiday cheer into sticker shock." Published November 26, 2025
Judge ends Georgia criminal case against Trump upon new prosecutor’s request
A Georgia judge has dismissed the criminal case against President Trump stemming from his efforts to overturn his 2020 loss in the state to President Biden, closing a two-year saga. Published November 26, 2025
