Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Nancy Pelosi won’t ‘take the bait’ from Donald Trump on George Floyd protests
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday said she is "not paying too much attention" to what President Trump tweets about nationwide protests, saying she's worried about "the knee on the neck" and questions of justice. Published May 31, 2020
Trump on violent riots: ‘We won’t let it happen’
President Trump said Saturday the death of George Floyd filled Americans with "horror, anger and grief," but that he cannot tolerate mob violence and will "stop it cold" before more businesses or police precincts are destroyed. Published May 30, 2020
SpaceX makes history with NASA-backed commercial launch
A SpaceX mission roared into the heavens as President Trump looked on Saturday, marking the first time a commercial space company has sent American astronauts into orbit. Published May 30, 2020
Trump sees hope on horizon amid pandemic
President Trump said Friday he's optimistic about the path forward for the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic, citing an accelerated push for a vaccine and declining transmission after a month-plus of shutdown orders. Published May 29, 2020
Trump pulls U.S. out of World Health Organization, slaps penalties on China over Hong Kong action
President Trump announced Friday the U.S. is terminating its relationship with the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronarvirus crisis, and took limited actions to punish China for misleading the world on the virus and for its security crackdown on Hong Kong. Published May 29, 2020
U.S. mayors plead for cash, COVID-19 help from federal government
The federal government must accept a bigger role in the coronavirus response, U.S. mayors told Congress Friday, pleading with lawmakers for a cash infusion before they mull cuts to education, health care or law enforcement. Published May 29, 2020
Bob Casey tests positive for COVID-19 antibodies
Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said Friday he tested positive for antibodies to the coronavirus and will donate his blood plasma in a bid to help those who develop a severe case. Published May 29, 2020
Joe Biden to address Minnesota unrest
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden said he plans to address "the events in Minnesota" later Friday amid rioting in Minneapolis over the death of a black man under the knee of a white officer. Published May 29, 2020
Donald Trump signs social media executive order targeting political bias
President Trump signed an executive order Thursday to force social media companies to operate without political bias, saying platforms such as Twitter form a monopoly with "unchecked power." Published May 28, 2020
Donald Trump to hold press conference on China on Friday
President Trump said he'll hold a press conference on China on Friday, as he weighs sanctions against Beijing for its crackdown on Hong Kong. Published May 28, 2020
U.S. faces worse-than-average hurricane season, Trump told
The U.S. should expect an above-average hurricane season with three to six major hurricanes, President Trump was told in a briefing Thursday. Published May 28, 2020
Coronavirus death toll in U.S. tops 100,000
The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus hit 100,000 Wednesday, a heartbreaking reminder of the scale of the pandemic as the nation gingerly tries to revive economic activity and normal life without suffering a devastating "second wave." Published May 27, 2020
SpaceX launch scrubbed
Bad weather aborted a historic SpaceX mission Wednesday, forcing NASA to reschedule its first launch from U.S. soil in nine years. Published May 27, 2020
D.C.-area lawmakers balk at Trump’s July 4 plans
D.C.-area lawmakers say they're seriously concerned about President Trump's plans to hold another "Salute to America" military event on July 4 despite the coronavirus pandemic, saying the region continues to see high infection rates and large crowds would set them back. Published May 27, 2020
Rural hot spots reignite COVID fears as summer revelers shun social distancing
Deaths tied to COVID-19 approached the 100,000 mark Tuesday as the U.S. entered a tenuous phase of the outbreak, with lax summertime behavior and rural hot spots sparking new fears even as hard-hit places such as New York and New Jersey reported progress. Published May 26, 2020
Donald Trump rails against mail-in voting
President Trump on Tuesday continued to attack sweeping plans in some states to let voters cast their ballot via mail, saying it invites mischief. Published May 26, 2020
White House on in-person G-7 summit: ‘We think it will happen’
The White House said Tuesday it is getting a "great reception" from world leaders who've been asked to consider a trip to Washington for an in-person Group of Seven summit in late June, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Published May 26, 2020
HHS IG office is probing CDC, FDA efforts to test for COVID-19
A government watchdog who angered President Trump said Tuesday the Health and Human Services Department inspector general is probing the administration's role in approving, producing and distributing test kits for the coronavirus, after early stutter steps were blamed for allowing the disease to spread uncontrollably. Published May 26, 2020
Coronavirus transmission maybe reduced in warm humid weather
Memorial Day is ushering in summer and hopes that warm, humid weather will take a bite out of coronavirus transmission, though scientists warn it won't be a panacea as Americans flock to beaches, public pools and parks. Published May 24, 2020
Top Democrats slam Trump plan to send ventilators to Russia
Top House Democrats objected Friday to White House plans to send hundreds of ventilators to Russia at a taxpayer cost of $5.6 million, saying the "gift to President Putin" is unjustified given the ongoing pandemic and needs at home. Published May 22, 2020
