Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
White House says it is working to restore Medicaid portals after Democrats report outages
The White House said Tuesday it was aware of problems with a portal that administers the Medicaid program and pledged to get it back online. Published January 28, 2025
White House opens briefing seats to podcasters, influencers, independent media
The White House briefing room already has a new look under President Trump. Published January 28, 2025
Trump White House says N.J. drones were from FAA-authorized researchers or hobbyists
President Trump on Tuesday said drones spotted over New Jersey in recent months were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly for "research and various other reasons." Published January 28, 2025
Jim Acosta, known for clashes with Trump, announces his departure from CNN
CNN reporter and anchor Jim Acosta, who regularly drew the ire of President Trump, announced on-air Tuesday he is leaving the network. Published January 28, 2025
Michigan Sen. Peters won’t seek third term next year
Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan plans to retire in January 2027 instead of seeking a third term, a major development in a swing state. Published January 28, 2025
Top Democratic lawmakers sound alarm over OMB memo pausing federal assistance
The top Democratic congressional appropriators are scolding the White House budget office for temporarily pausing "all federal financial assistance" besides Social Security and Medicare. Published January 28, 2025
California agency disputes Trump’s claim the military ‘turned on’ water
California officials are disputing President Trump's claim that the military entered the state to "turn on" water supplies that flow south toward Los Angeles. Published January 28, 2025
RFK Jr.’s thorniest issue — vaccines — recedes from view as he takes the hot seat
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is best known as a vaccine skeptic but the Trump team has curbed his most polarizing views ahead of his high-stakes Senate confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Published January 27, 2025
Agriculture nominee defends Trump’s deportation plans, says she’ll help farmers worried about labor
President Trump's nominee for agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, on Thursday said she supports her future boss's deportation program and will assist farmers worried that efforts to eject illegal immigrants will lead to a crippling labor shortage. Published January 23, 2025
Sen. Lisa Murkowski slams Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Wednesday denounced President Trump's decision to pardon persons who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and release others from prison through commutations. Published January 22, 2025
Trump to Putin: End Ukraine war or face penalties
President Trump told Russia on Wednesday it needs to strike a deal to end its war with Ukraine or get hit with harsher sanctions and other penalties. Published January 22, 2025
China refutes Trump’s claim it’s operating Panama Canal
China on Wednesday said Panama's sovereignty over the canal linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans is "not negotiable" as President Trump vows to retake the waterway. Published January 22, 2025
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon on tariffs: ‘I mean, get over it’
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said Wednesday that increased costs from looming tariffs could be worth it if they protect national security. Published January 22, 2025
U.S. withdrawal may force WHO to address Trump’s objections, delve into COVID-19 origins
President Trump's decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization will make it harder to share disease intelligence, experts say, but it will also force the Switzerland-based group to deal with the mismatch in what the U.S. donates compared to other members. Published January 21, 2025
Trump hails supporters in post-inaugural Capitol event
President Trump addressed a crowd of supporters in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol on Monday, hoping to prove his populist bona fides after his inauguration before dignitaries, billionaires and VIPs in the Rotunda. Published January 20, 2025
Trump reclaims presidency with pledge to bring ‘golden age’ to America
Donald Trump was sworn in Monday as the 47th president of the United States, capping the most incredible comeback in political history after surviving a criminal conviction, multiple indictments and two assassination attempts. Published January 20, 2025
Trump talks tough on Panama Canal: ‘We’re taking it back’
President Trump told Panama on Monday he plans to take control of the Panama Canal because the Central American country has allowed China to gain too much sway over the vital waterway. Published January 20, 2025
Trump outlines first-day plans, including more drilling and declaring border emergency
President Trump said Monday his Day One agenda includes mass deportations, tariffs on foreign nations and a pledge to "drill, baby, drill" for energy deposits within the U.S. Published January 20, 2025
Trump says he was saved from gunman to save America
President Trump said Monday he believes that he survived a summertime assassination attempt in Pennsylvania so he could lead the U.S. to prosperity. Published January 20, 2025
Biden gives last-minute preemptive pardons to his family, frees FBI killer from prison
In his last moments in office, President Biden issued a flurry of preemptive pardons for younger brother James Biden and other family members as well as former chief medical adviser to the president, Anthony Fauci and others he feared his successor, President Trump, will target. Published January 20, 2025
