Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Trump lashes out at ‘compromised’ legal system as he confronts cash crunch
Former President Donald Trump pledged Monday to overhaul a "third-world" justice system if he is elected again. Published February 19, 2024
Widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny pledges to continue his work
The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny pledged Monday to carry on the work of her husband, urging followers to "share her rage" and help her bring about a more democratic Russia. Published February 19, 2024
Trump’s legal debts soaring after judge rules he must pay more than $355 million in N.Y. fraud case
Donald Trump's legal debts might now exceed a half-billion dollars, after a New York judge ordered the former president and his companies to pay $355 million in fines, plus interest, in a ruling that he had manipulated his net worth in financial statements. Published February 17, 2024
Biden pledges to ‘stay to the very end’ in Ohio recovery from toxic derailment
President Biden on pledged to help East Palestine recover from a February 2023 train derailment until the "job is done," in a belated visit to the Ohio community that is still reeling from the toxic spill. Published February 16, 2024
Judge orders Trump Organization to pay $355 million for fraud
A New York judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump committed fraud to gain favorable terms for his real estate business and must pay roughly $355 million in damages. Published February 16, 2024
Biden blames Putin for Navalny’s death, pleads for more Ukraine aid
President Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for the sudden death of Alexei Navalny, the best-known critic of the Kremlin, saying he is "both not surprised and outraged" by the latest death of a Putin opponent. Published February 16, 2024
Georgia’s ex-governor says Fani Willis tried to hire him for Nathan Wade gig
Former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes testified Friday that he was District Attorney Fani Willis' first choice to work on the investigation against former President Donald Trump, but he turned it down. Published February 16, 2024
VP Harris says ‘Russia is responsible’ for Navalny’s death
Vice President Kamala Harris told global leaders in Germany that the death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny was "terrible news" and the Kremlin is to blame for it. Published February 16, 2024
Biden to host Kenyan president for state visit
President Biden will welcome the Kenyan president for a state visit this spring to mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations and discuss economic ties and democratic values, the White House said Friday. Published February 16, 2024
Trump tells Supreme Court that Jack Smith’s rush to trial reveals ‘appearance of partisanship’
Former President Donald Trump told the Supreme Court on Thursday that special counsel Jack Smith's argument not to delay his trial on charges of election fraud reveals "partisanship," as he urged the justices to suspend an appellate court ruling that rejected his bid for presidential immunity. Published February 15, 2024
Nathan Wade insists DA Fani Willis paid her own way on romantic trips
Special prosecutor Nathan Wade on Thursday said expenses for trips he took with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis "balanced out," taking pains to distinguish his role as a taxpayer-funded investigator from the finances of his former girlfriend, who is leading the racketeering case against former President Donald Trump. Published February 15, 2024
Friend of Fani Willis says DA, Nathan Wade started dating before Trump probe
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis started a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade shortly after a municipal court conference in 2019, long before the pair began prosecuting former President Donald Trump for alleged election interference, a college friend of Ms. Willis testified Thursday. Published February 15, 2024
N.Y. judge OKs March trial date for Trump hush money case
A New York judge on Thursday said former President Donald Trump will face trial next month on charges he falsified business records to conceal hush-money payments before the 2016 election, forcing him to spend weeks before a Manhattan jury during the heat of his third presidential run. Published February 15, 2024
Special counsel Jack Smith tells Supreme Court not to delay Trump trial
Special counsel Jack Smith's team urged the Supreme Court on Wednesday not to delay former President Trump's trial after two courts have ruled against his claim of presidential immunity over election fraud charges. Published February 14, 2024
N.Y. prosecutors poised to get first crack at Trump in campaign year
It is increasingly likely that former President Donald Trump's first criminal trial of this election year will begin in New York next month, forcing him to split time between the courthouse and campaign trail as he closes in on the GOP nomination. Published February 14, 2024
Haley defends decision to stay in race, points to advantage over Biden
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Wednesday defended her decision to stay in the GOP presidential race despite bruising losses in Iowa and New Hampshire. Published February 14, 2024
Trump to attend key N.Y. hearing ahead of trial over hush-money payments
Former President Donald Trump will attend a major hearing in New York on Thursday on charges he falsified business records to hide hush-money payments to a porn star, capping a pivotal week in his campaign-year legal woes. Published February 13, 2024
Supreme Court orders feds to answer Trump’s immunity petition
The Supreme Court on Tuesday told special counsel Jack Smith to respond to former President Trump's request for it to take up his presidential immunity claim as the justices weigh how to proceed in the unprecedented legal battle. Published February 13, 2024
CDC expected to relax COVID-19 isolation guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reportedly eyeing a change to its isolation guidance for people who get COVID-19. Published February 13, 2024
Georgia judge says DA Fani Willis could be ejected from Trump case if a financial conflict exists
An Atlanta-based judge says Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could be disqualified from the election subversion case against former President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants, though only if she benefited financially from her relationship with a special prosecutor assigned to the investigation. Published February 13, 2024
