Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Trump ally Steve Bannon pleads guilty in build-the-wall scheme, won’t get jail time
Former Trump aide Steve Bannon pleaded guilty Tuesday to engaging in a scheme to defraud fundraisers who contributed to an online effort to build a border wall. Published February 11, 2025
EU pledges to fight back after Trump imposes steel tariffs
The president of the European Commission is condemning President Trump's decision to impose a 25% tariff on foreign steel and aluminum and pledging to retaliate. Published February 11, 2025
Trump slaps tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports
President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from all nations on Monday as part of an early-term blitz on trade. Published February 10, 2025
Trump: Palestinians would not have the right to return to Gaza
President Trump said that Palestinians would not have an automatic right to return to Gaza, sparking new confusion over his redevelopment plans for the war-torn strip between Egypt and Israel. Published February 10, 2025
Budget Director Russ Vought suspends operations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
White House Budget Director Russ Vought is suspending operations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an independent agency that has been criticized by conservatives as being unaccountable. Published February 10, 2025
Trump, Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba start off on friendly footing
It's official: President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba really like each other. Published February 7, 2025
Trump maintains tariffs on cheap parcels from China
President Trump is temporarily delaying his decision to end a tariff exception for low-cost shipments from China to individuals in the U.S. Published February 7, 2025
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
