Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain lands gig at Airbnb
President Biden's former chief of staff, Ron Klain, is joining Airbnb as its chief legal officer, the company said Monday. Published November 20, 2023
Biden removes Chinese institute from sanctions list in exchange for fentanyl cooperation
The Biden administration is removing a Chinese institute from a trade sanctions list, reportedly in exchange for Chinese President Xi Jinping's help in cracking down on chemical shipments that are used to make deadly fentanyl. Published November 17, 2023
N.Y. Gov. Hochul says House has a ‘moral responsibility’ to oust Rep. George Santos
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging Rep. George Santos to resign and says she would be "happy" to call the special election to replace him. Published November 17, 2023
Biden claims major victory on rooting out fentanyl flow; Beijing already makes good on Xi’s promises
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray told Congress this week that the Chinese government is at the root of the fentanyl trafficking that has flooded the U.S., and he said Beijing could shut down the flow of drugs if it wanted. Published November 16, 2023
George Santos says he won’t run for reelection after blistering ethics report calls for DOJ referral
The House Ethics Committee on Thursday unanimously concluded that Rep. George Santos of New York should be referred to the Justice Department because there is "substantial evidence" he misused campaign funds, filed false reports on his donations and engaged in other forms of fraud. Published November 16, 2023
China agrees to crack down on fentanyl chemicals and pill presses, Biden says
President Biden said Wednesday that Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to crack down on the flow of Chinese-made chemicals that criminal cartels use to manufacture illicit fentanyl. Published November 15, 2023
HHS secretary calls Palestinian Authority health minister, offers condolences for civilian deaths
President Biden's health secretary, Xavier Becerra, spoke with his Palestinian counterpart on Wednesday and offered his "deepest condolences" for the civilian deaths in Gaza. Published November 15, 2023
Trump team moves for a mistrial in N.Y. civil fraud case
Former President Donald Trump moved for a mistrial in his New York civil case on Wednesday, alleging rampant bias and departures from standard judicial practice. Published November 15, 2023
Biden’s pro-Israel stance irks young voter base; liberals warn of depressed turnout in 2024 election
President Biden's staunchly pro-Israel stance has turned off young voters who increasingly side with Palestinians in the Middle East conflict and now threaten to make Mr. Biden pay at the ballot box next year. Published November 14, 2023
Rep. Elise Stefanik to AG Garland: Investigate Michael Cohen for perjury
Rep. Elise Stefanik, New York Republican, asked the Justice Department on Tuesday to investigate whether Michael D. Cohen committed perjury in a deposition before a House committee in 2019. Published November 14, 2023
Elbows, Smurfs, near-brawls: Fiery exchanges erupt at Capitol
Rep. Tim Burchett on Tuesday accused former Speaker Kevin McCarthy of elbowing him in the back while the Tennessee Republican was being interviewed in a hallway, the most prominent example of tempers flaring in several confrontations across the Capitol in a single day. Published November 14, 2023
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Teamsters president nearly fight at Senate hearing
Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and a union leader nearly got into a brawl during a Senate Health Committee hearing Tuesday, prompting the intervention of Chairman Bernard Sanders as the hearing descended into schoolyard taunts and chaos. Published November 14, 2023
N.Y. Attorney General James: Don Trump Jr. promoted Trump Org. but didn’t refute fraud claims
New York Attorney General Letitia James says Donald Trump Jr. didn't offer any testimony to rebut her fraud claims, as the defense started to present its case in the civil trial that accuses the Trump family of submitting fraudulent financial statements to lenders. Published November 14, 2023
Hundreds of federal workers protest Biden’s approach to Israel-Hamas conflict
More than 400 political appointees and staff members from dozens of federal agencies are urging President Biden to call for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, a remarkable show of internal dissent over the White House's approach to the conflict. Published November 14, 2023
Donald Trump Jr. defends the family business from the witness stand
Donald Trump Jr. defended the Trump Organization as a historic and remarkable real-estate company Monday as the defense kicked off its rebuttal to a New York lawsuit that accuses the family business of rampant fraud. Published November 13, 2023
Donald Trump Jr., on witness stand, touts father’s real estate vision
The Trump Organization kicked off its defense against a New York fraud lawsuit with a walk down memory lane as Donald Trump Jr. recounted how his grandfather and father acquired prized properties and built a worldwide brand. Published November 13, 2023
Rep. Abigail Spanberger says she’s running for Va. governor
Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger said Monday she will run for Virginia governor instead of a fourth term in the House. Published November 13, 2023
Trump urges New York judge to toss civil case against him
Former President Donald Trump lashed out Friday at prosecutors dogging him on multiple fronts, saying New York Attorney General Letitia James failed to prove her civil case against him while accusing special counsel Jack Smith of leaking details about the documents case in Florida. Published November 10, 2023
VP Harris files primary paperwork in South Carolina
Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to South Carolina to file President Biden's paperwork to appear on the Democratic primary ballot in the state that's moved to the front of the party's nominating season. Published November 10, 2023
Chris Christie to visit Israel this weekend, a first among ‘24 GOP contenders
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie plans to visit Israel on Sunday, making him the first GOP presidential contender to visit since the Oct. 7 attacks by the Palestinian militants in Hamas. Published November 10, 2023
