Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Kevin McCarthy bids farewell to Congress with gratitude, optimism
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy thanked his constituents and lawmakers Thursday as he prepared to exit Congress midway through the term, saying he "loved every single day" despite the ignominious end to his speakership in October. Published December 14, 2023
Testimony phase of Trump N.Y. civil trial ends, clearing way for January ruling
The evidence phase of the New York civil trial against former President Donald Trump and his business concluded Wednesday with state Attorney General Letitia James boasting that she proved her fraud case against the 2024 Republican front-runner, while the defense said it was looking forward to an appeal. Published December 13, 2023
Trump refuses to settle civil claims as trial wraps in New York
Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed the idea he could settle the claims that state Attorney General Letitia James brought against him over his property valuations. Published December 13, 2023
D.C. Circuit upholds much of federal gag order on Trump
A major appeals court on Friday upheld most of the gag order prohibiting former President Donald Trump from making public statements about "foreseeable witnesses" in the federal case that accuses him of conspiring to defraud the U.S. in seeking to overturn the 2020 election results. Published December 8, 2023
White House aims to alleviate suffering in Gaza as U.N. warns of collapse
The White House said Friday it is mindful of "extreme human suffering" in Gaza and is working to lessen the pain after the U.N.'s chief sounded the alarm that the Palestinian enclave is on the brink of a "total collapse." Published December 8, 2023
White House rips American Islamic leader’s remarks on Oct. 7’s attack
The White House blasted remarks by the director of an American-Muslim advocacy group that seemed to approve of Hamas' decision to "break the siege, the walls of the concentration camp, on October 7." Published December 8, 2023
Second gentleman Emhoff condemns university presidents’ ‘lack of moral clarity’ on antisemitism
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff late Thursday joined the criticism of elite university presidents for their noncommittal remarks at a congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses. Published December 8, 2023
U.S. is almost ‘out of Schlitz’ when it comes to helping Ukraine, White House says
The White House said Thursday it can no longer assure Ukraine that the U.S. will provide more security aid, given the deadlock in negotiations with Congress. Published December 7, 2023
White House says it will grab patents if companies set exorbitant prices for taxpayer-funded drugs
The Biden administration on Thursday said it will take control of patents for drugs that were developed with public funding but are priced too high, setting up another clash with the pharmaceutical industry. Published December 7, 2023
White House: Calls for Jewish genocide are ‘vile,’ says Biden offered moral clarity
The White House said Wednesday that calls for genocide against Jews are "vile" and "unacceptable," hoping to put some daylight between President Biden and university presidents who gave noncommittal answers at a Capitol Hill hearing on antisemitism. Published December 6, 2023
GOP senators file bill to reinstate pilots ousted by vaccine mandate
A pair of Senate Republicans filed legislation that would reinstate airline pilots who were fired for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Published December 6, 2023
Holiday spending spikes despite sluggish outlays earlier in year: Gallup
Americans estimate they'll spend an average of $975 on holiday gifts this season, an increase of over $100 from last year that's driven by middle-income households, according to Gallup. Published December 6, 2023
DeSantis sets aside $1 million for possible litigation over FSU snub
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday said he has $1 million ready for any lawsuits around the decision to keep Florida State University out of the college football playoff, leaping headlong into a sports debate that's collided with the 2024 presidential race. Published December 5, 2023
Sen. Rick Scott demands transparency over FSU football championship snub
Sen. Rick Scott is so angry about Florida State University's snub from the College Football Playoff that he wants formal answers from the selection committee. Published December 5, 2023
Winnowing field of four candidates to take the stage for GOP debate in Alabama
The fourth GOP primary debate on Wednesday is shaping up as a four-candidate affair, at best, as actual voting looms several weeks away and low-polling candidates accept reality to bow out of the race. Published December 4, 2023
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum suspends GOP presidential run
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for president, making him the latest candidate to bow out ahead of actual voting in Iowa and New Hampshire. Published December 4, 2023
White House monitoring outbreaks in China but sees nothing out of the ordinary
The White House says it is monitoring the surge in respiratory illness in China but there is no indication of a link between people seeking care in U.S. emergency departments and the outbreak in Beijing and surrounding regions. Published December 4, 2023
Senators urge Biden to stop travel with China, say Beijing can’t be trusted on ‘mysterious illness’
Five senators want President Biden to stop travel between the U.S. and China until Americans learn more about the surge in respiratory illness that is flooding hospitals in Beijing and northern China. Published December 1, 2023
DeSantis says debate with Newsom shed light on Democrats’ model for the nation
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he debated California Gov. Gavin Newsom to "expose" the political left's agenda for the country, hoping that his prime-time performance against a prominent Democrat fuels his effort to catch former President Donald Trump in the GOP presidential race. Published December 1, 2023
VP Harris to discuss post-conflict Gaza during Dubai climate talks
Vice President Kamala Harris will speak to Middle East partners about ways to unify the Gaza Strip and West Bank "under one entity" for Palestinians on the sidelines of a weekend climate summit in Dubai, according to the White House. Published December 1, 2023
