Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Donald Trump says he’ll accept GOP nomination at White House or Gettysburg
President Trump said Monday he will accept the Republican nomination for president on Aug. 27 at either the historic battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, or the White House. Published August 10, 2020
Trump to top NCAA conferences: Let them play football
President Trump on Monday offered his support to Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and other college football players who say they're safer on the field this fall than heading back to communities where the coronavirus is spreading. Published August 10, 2020
WHO: ‘No indication that there is seasonality’ with COVID-19
A top official at the World Health Organization said Monday it is clear the new coronavirus is not behaving seasonally, so countries must remain vigilant and avoid complacency. Published August 10, 2020
Canada aluminum tariffs upset automakers, brewers
The U.S. and Canada are locked in another tariff war barely a month after a major North American trade pact took effect, flummoxing carmakers who would prefer to let the deal play out and brewers who say the standoff will raise costs during challenging economic times. Published August 9, 2020
Donald Trump cites ‘political activity’ carve-out for lack of social distancing at club
President Trump on Friday said supporters at his New Jersey club didn't have to observe social distancing rules because his press conference qualified for a political-activity exemption. Published August 7, 2020
Donald Trump promises ‘preexisting conditions’ order, but light on details
President Trump said Friday he will sign a "major executive order" that forces insurance companies to cover preexisting conditions but did not say how it would differ from protections that already exist under Obamacare. Published August 7, 2020
Donald Trump: U.S. sending three planes ‘loaded’ with aid to Beirut
President Trump said Friday he is sending three "fully loaded" aircraft to Lebanon as it deals with the aftermath of a massive explosion at the port in Beirut. Published August 7, 2020
Canada says it will retaliate for Donald Trump’s aluminum tariffs, announces $2.7B in reprisals
Canada will slap retaliatory tariffs on $2.7 billion in American goods after President Trump reimposed levies on aluminum from the north, a top official said Friday, blasting the U.S. decision as "ludicrous" and ill-timed. Published August 7, 2020
Gates Foundation, India maker partner on 100M doses of vaccine
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is teaming with the world's largest vaccine manufacturer to make 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine available to India and dozens of poorer nations in 2021 at no more than $3 per dose. Published August 7, 2020
Trump: COVID-19 vaccine ‘possible’ by Nov. 3
President Trump said Thursday that a coronavirus vaccine is possible by Election Day, offering an optimistic timeline for a shot that could return life to normal in the U.S. while amplifying concerns that the unprecedented race could be tainted by election-year politics. Published August 6, 2020
Donald Trump to sign ‘Buy American’ order on essential medicines
President Trump signed a long-promised executive order Thursday that compels federal agencies to "Buy American" when it comes to a list of essential medicines and supplies, saying the coronavirus pandemic has underscored the need to bring supply chains home. Published August 6, 2020
Voters help strengthen Obamacare’s hold in U.S.
President Trump wants the Supreme Court to clear the decks for his long-promised Obamacare replacement, but his predecessor's law is solidifying its place in the U.S., with two more states opting to expand their Medicaid rolls under the 2010 program. Published August 5, 2020
Kanye West not getting Donald Trump aid in getting on swing-state ballots, president says
President Trump said Wednesday he is not involved in efforts to get rapper Kanye West on the ballot in swing states. Published August 5, 2020
Trump praises Ducey for wrangling COVID-19 surge
President Trump and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said Wednesday there is a "common-sense" approach to tackling COVID-19 that falls short of a complete lockdown, from widespread mask-wearing to staying at home when possible. Published August 5, 2020
NIH launches trials of synthesized antibodies for COVID-19
The government is recruiting COVID-19 patients to test a promising treatment for the coronavirus -- antibodies made in a lab -- as President Trump pushes to reduce the fatality rate among cases that are cropping up across America. Published August 4, 2020
Sun Belt gains offset by increase in coronavirus cases in Midwest
The Sun Belt is getting its surge in COVID-19 cases under control but those gains are being offset by worrying trends in the Midwest and places that seemed to have the virus under control earlier this year. Published August 3, 2020
Trump signs telehealth executive order
President Trump signed an executive order Monday that expands the use of telehealth and makes permanent the options he provided to help rural areas deal with the pandemic. Published August 3, 2020
White House ramps up COVID-19 testing on its campus
The White House said Monday it is tightening up its COVID-19 testing protocols on campus. Published August 3, 2020
Storms complicate fight against coronavirus pandemic
Just when it seemed like 2020 couldn't get any worse, the storms showed up. Published August 2, 2020
Trump, DeSantis say storm evacuation will have a different look
The Trump administration said Friday that people fleeing Hurricane Isaias will have to factor in the coronavirus pandemic, from sheltering in place where possible to observing physical distancing if they enter a shelter. Published July 31, 2020