Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
‘We don’t use the strait’: Trump says other countries must open Strait of Hormuz because they use it
President Trump says other countries will have to help break Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz eventually because they rely on the waterway for their energy far more than the U.S. does. Published March 20, 2026
Trump unveils AI plan to guide innovation, protection
The Trump administration released a framework for artificial intelligence legislation that would promote innovation while prohibiting states from implementing their own regulations. Published March 20, 2026
Trump bars broadcast of other football games during Army-Navy contest
President Trump signed an executive order that prevents any football games from being broadcast simultaneously with the annual Army-Navy matchup. Published March 20, 2026
Overdose deaths drop 20% under Trump, though causes remain disputed
Drug overdose deaths have fallen in President Trump's second term alongside his get-tough approach to fentanyl that includes sealing the border, killing foreign drug traffickers and rescheduling synthetic opioids to deliver harsher criminal sentences. Published March 20, 2026
Japanese leader Takaichi says she would like to engage with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Thursday she has a "strong desire" to meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un to discuss the sensitive issue of the decades-old abduction of Japanese nationals. Published March 19, 2026
Trump to Japanese reporter: ‘Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?’
President Trump referenced the attack on Pearl Harbor during a meeting Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, explaining why the war on Iran had to be a "surprise" to the rest of the world. Published March 19, 2026
Trump says he thought war’s economic fallout would be ‘much worse’
President Trump said Thursday he figured the economic dent from his "excursion" into Iran would be even more unpleasant and predicted that high oil prices and other turbulence will be short-lived. Published March 19, 2026
Trump threatens to destroy a major gas field in Iran if Tehran hits Qatar again
President Trump is threatening to "massively blow up" a major gas field in Iran if the Islamic Republic launches any more attacks on Qatar's gas facilities. Published March 19, 2026
Fed keeps interest rates steady, says impact of Middle East war is ‘uncertain’
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining its wait-and-see approach after a series of cuts in late 2025. Published March 18, 2026
Trump issues 60-day waiver to shipping law to ease oil traffic during Iran war
President Trump on Wednesday issued a 60-day waiver to the Jones Act, a longstanding shipping law, to ease economic concerns around his war on Iran. Published March 18, 2026
Trump says he might destroy Iran’s leadership and let other countries deal with Strait of Hormuz
President Trump said Wednesday the U.S. might finish off the Iranian regime and let countries that rely on the Strait of Hormuz as an oil-shipping channel deal with its security. Published March 18, 2026
Trump, Rubio say Cuba needs to see major changes ‘soon’
President Trump said Tuesday the U.S. will be "doing something with Cuba very soon" as the administration tightens its economic squeeze on the island's communist leaders. Published March 17, 2026
House oversight panel subpoenas Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify April 14 on Epstein
Top House investigators issued a subpoena on Tuesday ordering Attorney General Pam Bondi to appear before the panel for a deposition about Jeffrey Epstein. Published March 17, 2026
Trump says he’s disappointed by NATO allies but doesn’t need their help in Strait of Hormuz
President Trump said Tuesday he doesn't need NATO allies' help in breaking Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, though he complained about their lack of initial enthusiasm for assisting America. Published March 17, 2026
Senators tell ByteDance to close Seedance AI tool, citing ‘glaring’ copyright concerns
A bipartisan Senate duo wants ByteDance to shut down its Seedance artificial intelligence tool, calling it a "glaring example" of copyright infringement that was launched without regard for U.S. law. Published March 17, 2026
Trump says lawmakers who reject his SAVE America Act will suffer consequences at polls
President Trump on Tuesday threatened lawmakers with consequences in future campaigns if they vote against his top legislative priority, the SAVE America Act. Published March 17, 2026
Trump vents frustration as allies balk at securing strait
President Trump said Monday he is keeping a close watch on which countries help the U.S. break Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and reopen the critical passage to oil traffic. Published March 16, 2026
‘They said, I wish I did it’: Trump says a former president privately supported the Iran war
President Trump said Monday there is a former U.S. president who privately expressed support for military action against Iran and said he wished he'd done it. Published March 16, 2026
Trump says he’s keeping tabs on who helps U.S. reopen the Strait of Hormuz — and who does not
President Trump said Monday he is keeping a close watch on which countries help the U.S. break Iran's logjam and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic. Published March 16, 2026
Trump blasts judges who ‘disrespect the presidents who nominate them’
President Trump is airing his dissatisfaction with federal courts and certain justices he appointed to the Supreme Court. Published March 16, 2026
