Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Trump lashes out at New York courts during one-day break in jury selection
Former President Donald Trump used a Wednesday break in his New York trial to gripe about the court system that is trying him on charges he criminally concealed hush money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign. Published April 17, 2024
Larry Hogan seeks ‘common ground’ in his first TV ad of Senate race
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan launched a television ad Wednesday that says his Senate bid is about rising above the "partisan B.S." and finding common ground in Washington. Published April 17, 2024
N.Y. court swears in seven jurors for Trump hush money trial
The first seven jurors were chosen Tuesday in a New York trial to decide whether former President Donald Trump criminally concealed hush money payments to a porn star around the 2016 election. Published April 16, 2024
Day 2 of Trump jury selection features dismissals, admissions of bias and ‘The Art of the Deal’
Former President Donald Trump sat quietly through a second day of New York jury selection Tuesday but perked up when one juror said he'd read a couple of the ex-president's books. Published April 16, 2024
Only a third of Americans think Trump acted unlawfully in hush money case, poll shows
Only about one-third of Americans think former President Donald Trump did something illegal in the hush money case, according to a poll released Tuesday, the second day of jury selection in New York. Published April 16, 2024
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
