Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Donald Trump provides ‘maximum flexibility’ to use National Guard to hard-hit states
President Trump said he is giving Washington state, California and New York "maximum flexibility" to use the National Guard as they see fit to combat the coronavirus. Published March 22, 2020
Rand Paul tests positive for coronavirus
Sen. Rand Paul has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office said Sunday. Published March 22, 2020
Anthony Fauci: No clash with Trump on malaria drug for coronavirus
Anthony Fauci, the main scientist in the U.S. coronavirus response, says combining a malaria drug with certain antibiotics shows "anecdotal" promise for COVID-19 patients and that his push for more proof doesn't mean he is clashing with President Trump. Published March 22, 2020
Donald Trump attacks Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker after complaints about coronavirus coordination
President Trump on Sunday responded to complaints from governors by saying they need to keep leading in their states and that the federal government will "back you up should you fail." Published March 22, 2020
Cuomo: Trump should use Defense Production Act immediately
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday said states are "savaging" other states and those in need face rampant price gouging as they scramble to find medical gear to combat the coronavirus. Published March 22, 2020
Steven Mnuchin: Congress close on coronavirus stimulus deal
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday said the administration and Congress are close to a massive stimulus deal to rescue the American economy from the coronavirus. Published March 22, 2020
AOC: Donald Trump failure to invoke Defense Production Act ‘going to cost lives’
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said the Trump administration's failure to invoke the Defense Production Act is "going to cost lives" as hospitals in her district see a shortfall in masks, gowns and other equipment during the coronavirus crisis. Published March 22, 2020
Peter Gaynor, FEMA chief, says agency shipping medical gear ‘continuously’
The federal government has been shipping masks to states and hospitals "continuously," America's chief emergency manager said Sunday, though was unable to give even a rough number of how many have gone out amid the coronavirus crisis. Published March 22, 2020
Pence staff member tests positive for coronavirus
A member of Vice President Mike Pence's staff tested positive for coronavirus, the White House announced Friday. Published March 20, 2020
Andrew Cuomo, N.Y. gov.: Ventilators are to coronavirus fight what ‘missiles were to WWII’
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday said ventilators are critical to winning the fight against the coronavirus, saying they are "to this war what missiles were to World War II." Published March 20, 2020
Sean Spicer returns to White House briefing room… as a reporter
Like a baseball catcher thrown into left field, Sean Spicer found himself facing the White House podium on Friday instead of directing the action in the briefing room. Published March 20, 2020
Donald Trump says he’s putting war-power production law ‘into gear’
President Trump said Friday he's activated the Defense Production Act to compel the production of medical gear in support of the states, as coronavirus infections reached 14,250 and the death toll exceeded 200 in the U.S. Published March 20, 2020
Trump cancels standardized testing for elementary, high school students
President Trump said he is suspending student loan payments and interest for 60 days and canceling standardized tests for elementary and high school students this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Published March 20, 2020
Melania Trump offers tips for parents amid coronavirus crisis
First lady Melania Trump pitched into the fight against the coronavirus Friday, posting a video that offers hand-washing and coping tips for parents and reminds families "this will not last forever." Published March 20, 2020
Hydroxychloroquine, anti-malarial drug, tapped for coronavirus fight
President Trump on Thursday directed the Food and Drug Administration to repurpose an anti-malarial drug for use against the raging coronavirus pandemic. Published March 19, 2020
Trump seeks use of existing drugs against coronavirus
President Trump on Thursday directed the Food and Drug Administration to approve an anti-malarial drug and other therapies for use against the coronavirus, told states to order ventilators before relying on him and blamed China for the spread of the virus amid claims he was not prepared. Published March 19, 2020
Nancy Pelosi to Donald Trump: Use war-production powers now
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said President Trump must use a Korean War-era law to procure hospital gear immediately instead of waiting for the coronavirus crisis to worsen, saying there is "not a day to lose." Published March 19, 2020
Donald Trump to invoke Defense Production Act to ramp up supplies
President Trump said he is invoking the Defense Production Act in the fight against a coronavirus that's impacted all 50 states and put the White House on a "wartime" footing. Published March 18, 2020
Donald Trump: U.S.-Canada border closed to nonessential traffic
President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday announced plans to close the border between the two countries to "non-essential" traffic as the world gets a handle on the coronavirus pandemic. Published March 18, 2020
Deborah Birx, U.S. coronavirus coordinator, moves to minimize health care burden
Deborah Birx, an HIV/AIDS expert tapped to organize President Trump's coronavirus team, said ventilators and a hospital's time and attention will be at a premium, so all need to do their part. Published March 17, 2020
