Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Trump turns photo of smiling first lady Jill Biden into a perfume sales pitch
President-elect Donald Trump smelled a business opportunity when the cameras caught first lady Jill Biden smiling at him during the grand reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Published December 9, 2024
Amid backlash from son’s pardon, Biden pressed to protect potential Trump targets in next round
The White House says President Biden is likely to issue more pardons but has not decided whether to issue blanket pardons for persons who could be targeted by President-elect Donald Trump. Published December 6, 2024
Shocking response to health care CEO’s killing highlights Americans’ outrage at insurance system
The killing of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare sparked a shocking backlash against insurers and their practices, raising questions about propriety while increasing pressure on the incoming Trump administration and Congress to overhaul the industry. Published December 6, 2024
Melania Trump is hopeful the country will unite, move past violence
Incoming first lady Melania Trump says she is hopeful the country will come together after a tense campaign marked by two assassination attempts on her husband. Published December 6, 2024
Trump pushes for Pete Hegseth in new Truth social post
President-elect Donald Trump says his pick for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is "doing very well," delivering public support for the embattled nominee despite senators' concerns about alleged misconduct and reports that Mr. Trump is considering alternatives. Published December 6, 2024
Trump-embraced Bitcoin cryptocurrency surges to $100K mark
The price of Bitcoin hit $100,000 on Thursday, a huge milestone for the cryptocurrency that's been embraced by President-elect Donald Trump. Published December 5, 2024
Trump picks Fiserv CEO Frank Bisignano to lead Social Security Administration
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Frank Bisignano, the CEO of financial services technology company Fiserv, to lead the Social Security Administration. Published December 5, 2024
Trump asks Georgia appeals court to dismiss racketeering case brought by Fani Willis
President-elect Donald Trump asked a Georgia appeals court to quash the criminal racketeering case against him in Fulton County, saying the Constitution forbids his prosecution because he will be inaugurated as president in January. Published December 4, 2024
House virus panel finishes its work by adopting report on ‘likely’ lab origins
A House panel on Wednesday adopted its massive final report on the coronavirus and its origins, putting its final stamp on the fallout from the pathogen that upended society in 2020 and 2021. Published December 4, 2024
Former Vice President Mike Pence supports Trump’s tough approach on trade
Former Vice President Mike Pence says President-elect Donald Trump isn't bluffing in his threat to impose new tariffs on China and other countries. Published December 4, 2024
Global pivot from Biden to Trump sealed with Macron’s invite to Notre Dame
French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to invite President-elect Donald Trump to the grand reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral marks the end of the Biden era and signals the world is focused on courting the incoming U.S. leader with sharp elbows. Published December 3, 2024
White House: U.S. will redouble plastics-pollution effort after deal failure at Busan
The White House said Tuesday it is disappointing that negotiators could not strike a legally binding deal to address plastic pollution during a high-profile summit in South Korea. Published December 3, 2024
‘Hell to pay’: Trump threatens fierce action to free hostages in Middle East
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday there would be "all hell to pay" if hostages held in the Middle East are not released by his inauguration on Jan. 20. Published December 2, 2024
At White House Xmas event, first lady Jill Biden says she supports pardon of Hunter Biden
First lady Jill Biden said Monday "of course" she supports her husband's decision to pardon Hunter Biden on tax and gun convictions. Published December 2, 2024
Sen.-elect Alsobrooks resigns as Prince George’s County exec, setting up 2025 special election
Sen.-elect Angela Alsobrooks formally resigned her position as Prince George's County executive Monday so she can begin her term on Capitol Hill on Jan. 3. Published December 2, 2024
Biden says New York native Omer Neutra was killed in the 2023 Hamas raid
President Biden said Monday that an Israeli-American, Omer Neutra, was killed during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas and that militants had been holding his body since the raid. Published December 2, 2024
House Speaker Mike Johnson says Hunter Biden’s pardon damages justice system
House Speaker Mike Johnson slammed President Biden on Monday for reneging on his pledge not to pardon Hunter Biden, calling it a sign that "real reform" of the justice system is needed. Published December 2, 2024
Democratic Gov. Jared Polis slams Hunter Biden pardon: ‘Bad precedent’
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis says he is "disappointed" in President Biden's decision to pardon Hunter Biden, saying the president put his family ahead of the country. Published December 2, 2024
‘Times have changed’: Debate over fluoridated water resurfaces across U.S.
Studies about the potential link between high levels of fluoride and lower IQ in children, plus comments from President-elect Donald Trump's pick for health secretary, are throwing fuel on the debate to the chagrin of dental experts who say fluoridated water is an irreplaceable tool. Published November 29, 2024
Mexico says Trump tariff plan would kill 400K U.S. jobs, devastate auto sector
A sweeping 25% tariff on goods entering the U.S. from Mexico would be "a shot in the foot" that could kill 400,000 U.S. jobs, particularly in the automobile sector, a Mexican official warned Wednesday. Published November 27, 2024
