Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
USDA details 5-part plan to fight avian flu, lower egg prices
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Wednesday said President Trump is launching a five-part plan to prevent bird flu in poultry flocks and bring down egg prices. Published February 26, 2025
Trump posts AI clip imagining ‘Trump Gaza’
President Trump posted an AI-generated video on Wednesday that reimagines the war-torn Gaza strip as "Trump Gaza" with beautiful shorelines, bearded belly dancers and Dubai-style skyscrapers. Published February 26, 2025
Over 20 staffers quit DOGE, citing qualms about services
More than 20 civil service staffers working on Elon Musk's government efficiency project resigned Tuesday over fears that slash-and-burn tactics are dismantling "critical public services," according to a new report. Published February 25, 2025
Consumer confidence drops this month, potentially signaling a slowing economy
Consumer confidence turned negative in February due to concerns about persistent inflation and other economic uncertainties, a key index reported Tuesday. Published February 25, 2025
Musk forges ahead with DOGE demand for list of federal workers’ tasks
Elon Musk says he is giving federal employees a second chance to respond to his demand for a list of recent accomplishments and that failure to respond could result in termination. Published February 25, 2025
Personnel office tells agency chiefs that employee response to Musk-inspired email ‘voluntary’
The Office of Personnel Management notified federal department chiefs Monday that employees' response to an email prompted by Elon Musk about their weekly work product is voluntary, and failure to do so will not be considered a resignation. Published February 24, 2025
Federal workers sue over DOGE demand for accomplishments
A lawsuit filed Monday accuses Elon Musk of violating federal law by demanding to know what government employees accomplished or risk being terminated, as agency workers were left wondering if they should comply or hold off. Published February 24, 2025
China accuses U.S. of ‘weaponizing’ business and trade with Trump-signed investment restriction
Beijing lashed out Monday at President Trump's order curtailing Chinese investment in critical U.S. sectors, saying it will hurt America's interests and undermine its "international credibility." Published February 24, 2025
Apple announces $500 billion in the U.S. as Trump takes victory lap
Tech behemoth Apple said Monday it will spend more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. Published February 24, 2025
Trump rips Zelenskyy in radio interview, tells governors of ‘good talks with Putin’
President Trump attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday as ineffective and said it's not important for the Kyiv leader to be at meetings with Russian officials to negotiate an end to the war. Published February 21, 2025
Treasury Secretary Bessent trades tariff complaints with Chinese counterpart
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng aired gripes about each other's policy moves in a Friday call, underscoring trade tensions. Published February 21, 2025
Dr. Oz pledges to ditch medical stocks if confirmed to lead federal insurance agency
Mehmet Oz is pledging to divest from a broad portfolio of health care stocks if he is confirmed as President Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Published February 21, 2025
Senate confirms Kash Patel as FBI director
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Kash Patel as FBI director, handing President Trump's outspoken nominee a green light to overhaul the bureau that conservatives say had been "weaponized" against them. Published February 20, 2025
Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon inches toward Senate confirmation
A Senate panel on Thursday advanced former professional wrestling executive Linda McMcMahon's nomination to lead the Department of Education. Published February 20, 2025
HHS cancels the CDC’s ‘Wild to Mild’ flu vaccine campaign: Report
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reportedly canceling a flu-vaccine campaign that depicted wild animals and encouraged Americans to tame the illness through immunization. Published February 20, 2025
Trump hypes USA to beat ‘51st state’ Canada in hockey final
President Trump is stirring the pot before a major hockey clash Thursday between the U.S. and Canada, using the occasion to revive his offer of making America's northern neighbor the 51st state. Published February 20, 2025
Trump’s Transportation Department moves to kill congestion pricing in Manhattan
The Trump administration said Wednesday it is canceling federal approval of New York City's controversial congestion-pricing program that charged vehicles a toll for entering busy parts of Manhattan. Published February 19, 2025
Trump’s Labor pick says she supports blue-collar workers, state flexibility on labor rules
Lori Chavez-DeRemer testified at her confirmation hearing Wednesday she is "uniquely prepared" to lead the Department of Labor because her dual support from industry and labor reflects the broad coalition of business leaders, blue-collar Americans and workers of color who powered President Trump's election victory. Published February 19, 2025
Trump approval slips due to economic approach, poll shows
President Trump's approval rating is starting to slip as people express doubts about his ability to address economic concerns, including inflation, according to a new poll. Published February 19, 2025
Trump signs executive order targeting COVID-19 vaccine mandates
President Trump signed an executive order Friday that halts federal funding for schools and universities that require students to be vaccinated against coronavirus. Published February 14, 2025
