Tom Howell Jr.

Donald Trump to states: Churches must reopen this weekend

President Trump on Friday said churches, synagogues and mosques are "essential places that provide essential services" and must reopen this weekend despite ongoing coronavirus transmission. Published May 22, 2020

Trump rallies with vets’ group ahead of Memorial Day

President Trump used a White House event for veterans Friday to tout his accomplishments ahead of the November election and rally bikers to his side, saying they seem to like him and the feeling is mutual. Published May 22, 2020

‘Social distancing’ nearly as novel as coronavirus

Isolating sick persons to avoid infecting the rest of the population isn't new. In fact, it's in the Bible. Published May 21, 2020

U.S. offers $1.2B to support AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine effort

The U.S. government is committing over $1 billion to secure at least 300 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine that's being developed by Oxford University in Britain and licensed to pharma-giant AstraZeneca. Published May 21, 2020

Donald Trump says Democratic governors not treating churches with respect

President Trump vowed Thursday to take action against Democratic governors whom he said are disrespecting churches by not allowing in-person worship services during the coronavirus crisis. Published May 21, 2020

Donald Trump pushing for in-person G-7 at White House, a portion at Camp David

President Trump said Thursday he's pushing to host Group of Seven leaders at the White House in June, as he tries to revert from a virtual summit to a live-person event amid the coronavirus pandemic. Published May 21, 2020

Donald Trump says he’ll wrap up ‘hydroxy’ use in a day or two

President Trump said Wednesday he would wrap up his use of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure against COVID-19 "in a day or two," after a two-day maelstrom over his decision to try a drug with unproven results against the coronavirus. Published May 20, 2020

Mike Pence: Travel ban on Brazil, ‘other countries’ on the table

Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday the U.S. might restrict travel from Brazil and other countries as the administration eyes emerging hot spots of coronavirus transmission. Published May 20, 2020

Trump floats idea of reinstating G-7 summit

President Trump said Wednesday he would like to revive the Group of Seven meeting at the "legendary Camp David," saying the coronavirus has slowed enough for him to reconsider an online summit. Published May 20, 2020

Donald Trump dismisses Nancy Pelosi ‘morbidly obese’ insult, hydroxychloroquine criticism

President Trump on Tuesday had a simple message for the media maelstrom over his use of hydroxychloroquine: Bite me. Published May 19, 2020

Donald Trump cheers drop in COVID-19 cases even as states reopen

President Trump on Tuesday pointed to the decline in coronavirus cases, even as states open up, as proof the U.S. can bounce back from the pandemic and enjoy an economic revival. Published May 19, 2020

U.S. turns coronavirus corner on ‘very positive day’

Monday was perhaps the most hopeful day so far of the pandemic in the U.S., as a Massachusetts biotech company reported a promising vaccine trial, stocks rallied on the news, and every state but one was reopening for business. Published May 18, 2020

Donald Trump taking hydroxychloroquine to stave off coronavirus

President Trump revealed Monday he has been taking a malaria drug that he once spotlighted as a promising treatment for the coronavirus despite the lack of clinical proof. Published May 18, 2020

Steve Linick, State Department IG, fired at Mike Pompeo’s request, Donald Trump says

President Trump on Monday said he fired the State Department's inspector general at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's request and it "should have been done a long time ago" because the official was a holdover from the Obama era. Published May 18, 2020

Greg Abbott, Texas governor, opens day care, bars can partially open Friday

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday said day care centers can reopen immediately and that bars and bowling alleys may open at 25% capacity on Friday, as he slowly lifts restrictions designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Published May 18, 2020

Coronavirus antibody tests becomes more convenient, widespread

The first saliva test for COVID-19 was a breakthrough when Rutgers University announced it last month, but now it's even more convenient: You can spit into the funnel from the comfort of your home. Published May 17, 2020

Trump: U.S. will donate ventilators to India amid pandemic

President Trump said Friday the U.S. will donate excess ventilators to India amid the coronavirus pandemic, following through on a White House pledge to send the machines abroad after a manufacturing blitz exceeded needs at home. Published May 15, 2020

Donald Trump pledges coronavirus vaccine by end of year

President Trump said Friday he's enlisting the full capacity of U.S. government, manufacturing and the military to secure a vaccine for the coronavirus before the end of the year, an incredibly ambitious timeline. Published May 15, 2020

Coronavirus asymptomatic discrepancies compared to Zika outbreak

The share of people who are infected with the coronavirus but never get sick varies widely from place to place, from less than 20% of cruise ship passengers in Japan to a whopping 95% of inmates at an Ohio prison, underscoring the challenge in weeding out infections and isolating the virus as parts of the world reopen. Published May 14, 2020

Trump nominates Keith W. Dayton, retired Army officer, as ambassador to Ukraine

President Trump has nominated Keith W. Dayton, a retired lieutenant general in the Army, to serve as his ambassador to Ukraine, a sensitive post after the impeachment saga that roiled his presidency at the end of last year. Published May 14, 2020