Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
N.Y. judge refuses Trump’s request to attend Supreme Court immunity argument
A New York judge refused Monday to let former President Donald Trump attend Supreme Court arguments on April 25 instead of his hush money trial. Published April 15, 2024
Strong opinions in stunned Trump jury pool; judge excuses dozens at outset of historic trial
A New York judge started whittling hundreds of prospective jurors into a 12-person panel who will decide whether former President Donald Trump runs for the White House as a convicted felon or as a Teflon politician who vanquished the first -- and perhaps only -- Democratic prosecutor to get a crack at him before November. Published April 15, 2024
N.Y. judge rejects last-minute bid to oust him for bias in Trump case
A New York judge began former President Donald Trump's trial Monday by rejecting attempts to oust him from the case, saying claims he is too biased to preside over the case are "attenuated" and unfounded. Published April 15, 2024
Trump arrives in New York court for hush money trial during campaign
Former President Donald Trump whisked into a Manhattan courtroom on Monday for a historic trial on charges he criminally concealed hush money to a porn star to avoid bad press around the 2016 election. Published April 15, 2024
Trump to make history Monday as the first U.S. president put on criminal trial
A New York court will begin selecting jurors Monday to try an ex-president on criminal charges for the first time in U.S. history. Published April 13, 2024
Speaker Johnson outlines FISA overhaul to reel in skittish GOP troops
House Speaker Mike Johnson is circulating a fact sheet demonstrating how changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act would prevent another Russia hoax, hoping to cajole GOP troops who are thwarting efforts to reauthorize the government's chief spying tool. Published April 12, 2024
VP Harris takes on diplomatic role, welcomes Japanese leader to State Department
Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday praised Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as a key economic partner and defender of "rules and norms" in the Indo-Pacific. Published April 11, 2024
Trump challenges Biden to debate ‘anytime, anywhere, any place’
Former President Donald Trump is challenging President Biden to debate "anytime" at any venue. Published April 11, 2024
Japanese leader, Biden open to talks with N. Korea amid rising tensions
President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said Wednesday they remain open to dialogue or a direct summit with North Korea over its nuclear ambitions and missile program. Published April 10, 2024
Biden, Japanese leader downplay rift over Nippon Steel acquisition of U.S. Steel
President Biden said Wednesday he "stands by" his commitment to American workers in opposing a planned acquisition of Pittsburgh-based U.S. steel by a Japanese company, a stance Mr. Biden reiterated in a press conference with Japan's prime minister. Published April 10, 2024
China’s Xi Jinping hosts ex-Taiwan leader in Beijing in a message of Washington, Taipei
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday held a highly unusual meeting with a former leader of Taiwan, the democratic island that Beijing considers to be a breakaway province, in a signal to Washington, the incoming administration in Taipei and the rest of Asia. Published April 10, 2024
No Joe? Biden faces deadline hiccup, may not get on Ohio ballot
President Biden might not be able to get on the Ohio ballot because of the timing of the Democratic National Convention. Published April 10, 2024
White House scolds Ecuador for raiding Mexican Embassy
The Biden administration on Tuesday scolded Ecuador for its decision to raid the Mexican Embassy on Friday to arrest an official facing corruption charges. Published April 9, 2024
Potential jurors in Trump hush money criminal trial to be asked about media consumption, QAnon
The New York judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial will ask prospective jurors about their media consumption and whether they follow QAnon or belong to the Proud Boys. Published April 9, 2024
Biden unveils revamped student debt relief plan to reel in young voters
MADISON, Wis. -- President Biden on Monday said 30 million former students will see relief under a new plan that relieves high student debt from interest and for-profit colleges, his latest attempt to wipe away college loans and woo young voters who might ditch him over his advanced age and the war in Gaza. Published April 8, 2024
Trump warily weighs in on abortion limits, says matter should be left to the states
Former President Donald Trump wants abortion limits to be left to the states, wading into a thorny issue as he tries to bring independents to his side without alienating pro-life voters. Published April 8, 2024
Space evaders: Pandemic-related remote work leads to vacant downtown offices, real estate panic
Remote work, a holdover from the pandemic, is leaving downtown office space empty and depressing property values even as billions in loans come due. Interest rates are sky-high. And a regional banking crisis spurred tighter lending standards, making it harder for property owners to borrow. Published April 8, 2024
Biden tours Key Bridge wreckage in Baltimore, vows a swift rebuild to reopen busy port
President Biden is pledging to "move heaven and earth" to rebuild the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge and reopen Baltimore's busy port. Published April 5, 2024
Biden tells Netanyahu to implement plan to ease pain in Gaza
President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the humanitarian situation in Gaza and strikes on aid workers are unacceptable and that U.S. policy could change if Israel doesn't fix its approach, the White House said Thursday. Published April 4, 2024
Atlanta judge rejects Trump’s attempt to toss case on First Amendment grounds
An Atlanta-area judge on Thursday rejected former President Donald Trump's attempt to dismiss his Georgia racketeering indictment on First Amendment grounds. Published April 4, 2024
