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Tom Howell Jr.

Tom Howell Jr.

Tom Howell Jr. covers politics and the White House for The Washington Times. He can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Tom Howell Jr.

President Trump tends to focus instead on drug therapies to help patients survive and the historic pace of the race for a vaccine. (Associated Press/File)

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

In this Friday, March 27, 2020, file photo, White House adviser Peter Navarro speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room in Washington, as President Donald Trump listens. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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

In this Jan. 24, 2019, file photo, the Supreme Court is seen at sunset in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) **FILE**

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

President Donald Trump meets with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, center, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

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

In this file photo, a poster is displayed in the entrance way looking for volunteers as the world's biggest study of a possible COVID-19 vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc.,  gets underway Monday, July 27, 2020, in Binghamton, N.Y. In a separate front on the coronavirus pandemic, NIH will run a clinical test of manufactured antibodies, both on hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID patients. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

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

President Donald Trump walks out to hold a briefing with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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

President Donald Trump listens as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a roundtable discussion on the coronavirus outbreak and storm preparedness at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla., Friday, July 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

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

Commuters wearing protective face masks and face shields travel on a public bus in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Peru ordered the mandatory wearing of protective face masks and shields on public transportation amid the new coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Deborah Birx, Anthony Fauci recommend face shields

Top members of the White House coronavirus task force now say that face shields and goggles can be effective ways to combat the spread of the coronavirus -- the latest shift in messaging from the federal government on the how to contain a pandemic that has now claimed more than 150,000 American lives. Published July 30, 2020

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at the White House, Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump highlights virus revival in other countries

President Trump on Thursday said places outside of the U.S. that were praised for their efforts to stamp out the coronavirus are seeing a resurgence, underscoring its wily nature and need to protect the vulnerable instead of shutting down again. Published July 30, 2020

Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, studies notes during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the oversight of the Department of Justice on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Washington. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)

Louie Gohmert tests positive for COVID-19: Report

Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas tested positive for the coronavirus Wednesday, making him the latest federal lawmaker to contract the virus and sparking a review of Capitol Hill's ability to stiff-arm the pathogen. Published July 29, 2020