Tom Howell Jr.

Kremlin expects the return of a Russian prisoner for releasing Marc Fogel

The Kremlin said Wednesday it expects a Russian citizen detained in the U.S. to be returned as part of the deal that secured American teacher Marc Fogel's release. Published February 12, 2025

Ford Motor Co. says tariff threats are causing ‘chaos’ in industry

Foreign officials outlined broad plans to retaliate over U.S.-imposed tariffs on key metals and Ford Motor's chief executive on Tuesday said levies -- both real and proposed -- are causing "chaos" as the world grapples with President Trump's shock-and-awe trade policy. Published February 11, 2025

Trump ally Steve Bannon pleads guilty in build-the-wall scheme, won’t get jail time

Former Trump aide Steve Bannon pleaded guilty Tuesday to engaging in a scheme to defraud fundraisers who contributed to an online effort to build a border wall. Published February 11, 2025

EU pledges to fight back after Trump imposes steel tariffs

The president of the European Commission is condemning President Trump's decision to impose a 25% tariff on foreign steel and aluminum and pledging to retaliate. Published February 11, 2025

Trump slaps tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports

President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from all nations on Monday as part of an early-term blitz on trade. Published February 10, 2025

Trump: Palestinians would not have the right to return to Gaza

President Trump said that Palestinians would not have an automatic right to return to Gaza, sparking new confusion over his redevelopment plans for the war-torn strip between Egypt and Israel. Published February 10, 2025

Budget Director Russ Vought suspends operations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

White House Budget Director Russ Vought is suspending operations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an independent agency that has been criticized by conservatives as being unaccountable. Published February 10, 2025

Trump, Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba start off on friendly footing

It's official: President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba really like each other. Published February 7, 2025

Trump maintains tariffs on cheap parcels from China

President Trump is temporarily delaying his decision to end a tariff exception for low-cost shipments from China to individuals in the U.S. Published February 7, 2025

USAID says it will help global workers return within a month

The U.S. Agency for International Development says all direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave around the globe on Friday, with a plan to return workers to the U.S. within 30 days. Published February 7, 2025

Bill to permanently underscore fentanyl’s danger is speeding through Congress

The effort to permanently place deadly fentanyl and its chemical cousins on America's list of the most dangerous drugs is gaining momentum in Congress. Published February 7, 2025

McConnell, Warner push bill to preserve whiskey and wildlife

Sens. Mitch McConnell and Mark R. Warner are pushing legislation to support the growth of white oak trees, saying a pending shortage threatens the ecosystem and Kentucky's prized bourbon industry. Published February 7, 2025

Democrats urge Trump trade nominee to tread carefully with Canadian tariffs

The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday pressed Jamieson Greer, the nominee for U.S. trade representative, to open global markets for U.S. farmers and protect home-state businesses from becoming collateral damage in President Trump's trade wars. Published February 6, 2025

Politico says millions in government payments were subscriptions, not payoffs

Politico says the millions of dollars it received from the U.S. government were for subscriptions and should not be construed as some kind of subsidy or quid pro quo for positive coverage. Published February 6, 2025

Trump says Gaza Strip would be ‘turned over’ to the U.S. by Israel

President Trump strived Thursday to clarify his plans for the Gaza Strip, saying Israel would turn over the war-torn enclave to the U.S. "at the conclusion of fighting." Published February 6, 2025

White House says Trump’s plan for Palestinian relocation would not be permanent

A day after President Trump shocked the world by floating a plan to take over and redevelop the war-torn Gaza Strip, the White House stood firm on the proposal but said the relocation of Palestinian residents would be only temporary. Published February 5, 2025

Trump not aiming to place soldiers in Gaza, White House says

President Trump is not looking to put boots on the ground in Gaza or force taxpayers to pay for its rebuilding, the White House said Wednesday, one day after he shocked the world by saying the U.S. might take control of the war-torn strip of land between Egypt and Israel. Published February 5, 2025

U.S. Postal Service resumes taking Chinese packages after pause over tariffs

The U.S. Postal Service says it will continue to accept packages from China and Hong Kong, reversing a pause that coincided with President Trump's decision to revoke a privilege that allowed many small packages from those places to enter the U.S. duty-free. Published February 5, 2025

Trump congratulates new Attorney General Pam Bondi, predicts ‘consequential’ tenure at DOJ

President Trump on Wednesday congratulated Pam Bondi on her confirmation as U.S. attorney general and predicted she would be a history-making leader at the Department of Justice. Published February 5, 2025

GOP skepticism of Trump nominees abates as Gabbard, Kennedy nominations advance

Chances of the Senate voting down any of President Trump's Cabinet-level nominees have all but evaporated as initially skeptical Republicans are falling in line with his most unconventional picks. Published February 4, 2025