Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
USAID says it will help global workers return within a month
The U.S. Agency for International Development says all direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave around the globe on Friday, with a plan to return workers to the U.S. within 30 days. Published February 7, 2025
Bill to permanently underscore fentanyl’s danger is speeding through Congress
The effort to permanently place deadly fentanyl and its chemical cousins on America's list of the most dangerous drugs is gaining momentum in Congress. Published February 7, 2025
McConnell, Warner push bill to preserve whiskey and wildlife
Sens. Mitch McConnell and Mark R. Warner are pushing legislation to support the growth of white oak trees, saying a pending shortage threatens the ecosystem and Kentucky's prized bourbon industry. Published February 7, 2025
Democrats urge Trump trade nominee to tread carefully with Canadian tariffs
The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday pressed Jamieson Greer, the nominee for U.S. trade representative, to open global markets for U.S. farmers and protect home-state businesses from becoming collateral damage in President Trump's trade wars. Published February 6, 2025
Politico says millions in government payments were subscriptions, not payoffs
Politico says the millions of dollars it received from the U.S. government were for subscriptions and should not be construed as some kind of subsidy or quid pro quo for positive coverage. Published February 6, 2025
Trump says Gaza Strip would be ‘turned over’ to the U.S. by Israel
President Trump strived Thursday to clarify his plans for the Gaza Strip, saying Israel would turn over the war-torn enclave to the U.S. "at the conclusion of fighting." Published February 6, 2025
White House says Trump’s plan for Palestinian relocation would not be permanent
A day after President Trump shocked the world by floating a plan to take over and redevelop the war-torn Gaza Strip, the White House stood firm on the proposal but said the relocation of Palestinian residents would be only temporary. Published February 5, 2025
Trump not aiming to place soldiers in Gaza, White House says
President Trump is not looking to put boots on the ground in Gaza or force taxpayers to pay for its rebuilding, the White House said Wednesday, one day after he shocked the world by saying the U.S. might take control of the war-torn strip of land between Egypt and Israel. Published February 5, 2025
U.S. Postal Service resumes taking Chinese packages after pause over tariffs
The U.S. Postal Service says it will continue to accept packages from China and Hong Kong, reversing a pause that coincided with President Trump's decision to revoke a privilege that allowed many small packages from those places to enter the U.S. duty-free. Published February 5, 2025
Trump congratulates new Attorney General Pam Bondi, predicts ‘consequential’ tenure at DOJ
President Trump on Wednesday congratulated Pam Bondi on her confirmation as U.S. attorney general and predicted she would be a history-making leader at the Department of Justice. Published February 5, 2025
GOP skepticism of Trump nominees abates as Gabbard, Kennedy nominations advance
Chances of the Senate voting down any of President Trump's Cabinet-level nominees have all but evaporated as initially skeptical Republicans are falling in line with his most unconventional picks. Published February 4, 2025
Sen. Cassidy backs RFK Jr. after vaccine agreement
Sen. Bill Cassidy said he voted to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday after the Trump administration agreed to work closely with him on vaccines and other health matters. Published February 4, 2025
RFK Jr. clears major hurdle before full Senate vote
The Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services after Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a swing vote, joined other Republicans in backing him. Published February 4, 2025
China angrily retaliates against Trump’s new 10% tariff
Canada and Mexico got a one-month reprieve, but President Trump's new 10% tariff on China went into effect Tuesday, prompting retaliation from Beijing. Published February 4, 2025
Tariffs paused after Canada, Mexico pledge border security boost
Canada and Mexico blinked Monday in their trade standoff with President Trump, agreeing to take steps to strengthen border security and curb smuggling of deadly fentanyl, hours before the U.S. was set to impose crippling tariffs on both countries. Published February 3, 2025
Trudeau: Trump granted 30-day reprieve on tariffs in exchange for border, fentanyl measures
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said President Trump agreed to delay a 25% tariff on Canada's goods by one month in exchange for stiffer border enforcement and the appointment of a "fentanyl czar" to combat the flow of deadly drugs into the U.S. Published February 3, 2025
Mexico pledges 10,000 guards at border in deal to delay Trump tariffs
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that President Trump agreed to delay tariffs on her country by one month after the pair discussed additional border measures. Published February 3, 2025
Sen. Chuck Grassley seeks fertilizer exemption from tariffs, sparking backlash
President Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada will go into effect on Tuesday. Some GOP allies are already looking for a carveout. Published February 3, 2025
Stock markets tumble as Wall Street unpacks Trump’s tariffs
Wall Street stocks tumbled Monday morning upon fears that President Trump's tariffs would cause economic upheaval by disrupting supply chains and inflaming price inflation. Published February 3, 2025
Trump stands pat on North American tariffs, says European Union is next
President Trump shows no signs of relenting in his heavy use of tariffs to get what he wants from foreign partners. In fact, he's just getting started. Published February 3, 2025
