Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
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
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
