Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Donald Trump: Plans to reopen U.S. ‘close to being finalized’
President Trump said Tuesday he'll work with all 50 governors on reopening their states for business individually, some before May 1, as he confronted a rebellion by 10 governors determined to set their own timetables. Published April 14, 2020
Donald Trump cuts off WHO funding, pending review
President Trump said the U.S. will stop funding to the World Health Organization while his administration reviews its role in "mismanaging" the coronavirus. Published April 14, 2020
Trump meets with COVID-19 survivors, an overlooked group
President Trump met Tuesday with survivors of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a Michigan lawmaker and an ex-NFL player who said a malaria drug promoted by the president saved them and an Arkansas patient who tested negative five days ago but is only feeling "85%" better. Published April 14, 2020
Trump video of White House coronavirus briefing lashes out at critics, media
President Trump lashed out at critics of his coronavirus response Monday, complaining he's been "brutalized" in the media and using his perch from the White House briefing room to play a campaign-style tape of people praising his response. Published April 13, 2020
Donald Trump counters media coronavirus critics with clip reel
President Trump lashed out at critics of his coronavirus response Monday, complaining he's been "brutalized" in the media and using his perch from the White House briefing room to play a campaign-style tape of people praising his response. Published April 13, 2020
Anthony Fauci: Donald Trump didn’t hold up coronavirus shutdowns
Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday said President Trump never tried to block his recommendation to shut down society to thwart the coronavirus, hoping to downplay any rift with his boss after the president tweeted a posting that suggested the esteemed doctor ought to be fired. Published April 13, 2020
Trump asserts control over decision to open up country
President Trump on Monday took ownership of the decision to open up the country once the coronavirus wanes, saying it will be up to him "for many good reasons" even though governors and local leaders issued mandatory stay-at-home orders. Published April 13, 2020
Donald Trump retweets #FireFauci post after Dr. Anthony Fauci’s comments on U.S. virus response
The White House on Monday said President Trump has no plans to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci despite retweeting a social media post that called on him to do just that. Published April 13, 2020
Trump will watch Pastor Robert Jeffress on Easter
President Trump said he plans to log on to watch an Easter service led by an ardent supporter, Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress, on his laptop Sunday and that pastors are adhering to calls for social distancing. Published April 10, 2020
Trump says death toll should be ‘substantially’ lower than 100K in early model
President Trump on Friday said U.S. mitigation efforts are paying off and the national death toll from the coronavirus should come in "substantially" below the 100,000 once feared. Published April 10, 2020
Trump calls for prayer, highlights COVID-19 sacrifices on Easter weekend
President Trump asked the American people to pray this Easter weekend as the country suffers from the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Published April 10, 2020
‘Serological testing’ crucial in coronavirus fight, U.S. officials say
Americans will be adding a wonkish term -- "serological test" -- to their vocabularies in the coming days as federal and state officials point to immunity-screening as the key to getting back to normal when coronavirus cases tail off. Published April 9, 2020
White House to test reporters ahead of Trump briefing
The White House said it will test reporters for the coronavirus before they attend President Trump's daily briefing Thursday after a correspondent who'd been in the press area developed symptoms consistent with the disease. Published April 9, 2020
Donald Trump touts improving U.S. coronavirus models
U.S. officials are increasingly confident they will avoid the estimated 100,000 to 200,000 coronavirus deaths that spooked Americans last week but warned Wednesday of a "second wave" of infections if folks get sloppy and start to go out before the end of the month. Published April 8, 2020
WHO chief: Politicizing coronavirus will result in ‘more body bags’
The World Health Organization on Wednesday responded to President Trump's criticism by warning nations to avoid politicizing the coronavirus fight, saying it will divide nations and result in "many more body bags." Published April 8, 2020
Glenn Fine, Stephanie Grisham moves shake up D.C. as coronavirus pandemic enters pivotal phase
New York reported its largest single-day increase in coronavirus deaths as President Trump directed a Washington shakeup amid the pandemic, tapping a new press secretary and removing the inspector general poised to oversee how the federal government spends $2 trillion in economic relief funding. Published April 7, 2020
Donald Trump: U.S. to withhold WHO funding
President Trump said Tuesday the U.S. will look at putting a "powerful hold" on U.S. funding to the World Health Organization, saying it struck a "China-centric" tone as the coronavirus virus unfolded and dragged its feet in declaring a pandemic. Published April 7, 2020
Donald Trump removes acting Defense inspector general: Report
President Trump has reportedly removed the inspector general at the Defense Department who was poised the oversee the massive spending that Congress approved amid the coronavirus crisis. Published April 7, 2020
Trump steps up attacks on longtime HHS inspector, claims political bias
President Trump on Tuesday continued his attacks on a government watchdog who compiled an unflattering portrait of the U.S. response to the coronavirus. Published April 7, 2020
Stephanie Grisham leaving as White House press secretary, to serve as chief of staff to first lady
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham is being moved out of her job as spokeswoman for the president and returning to her former role with first lady Melania Trump. Published April 7, 2020
