Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
U.S. ready for more superpower moves in its hemisphere as plans are made for Venezuela’s oil
Oil company executives are scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on Friday to discuss plans for stabilizing and boosting Venezuela's oil production after the ouster of President Nicholas Maduro. Published January 8, 2026
Monthly trade deficit shrinks to lowest reading since 2009, Commerce Dept. says
The U.S. trade deficit with other countries fell to $29.4 billion in October, an $18.8 billion decline from September as President Trump uses tariffs to trim imports of foreign goods and bolster exports from American firms. Published January 8, 2026
U.S. broke the law with oil tanker seizure, China says
China accused the U.S. of violating international law by grabbing a merchant vessel that last docked in Venezuela and was accused of dodging U.S. sanctions while flying a Russian flag. Published January 8, 2026
Trump says Venezuela will buy only U.S. products with new oil money
President Trump says Venezuela will use proceeds from its U.S.-guided oil production to buy American products. Published January 8, 2026
U.S. seizes Venezuelan oil tankers, starts to market crude for sale
The Trump administration on Wednesday said it's marketing Venezuelan crude oil for sale and will control the flow of crude from the South American country "indefinitely" as U.S. forces seized two sanctioned tankers in Atlantic waters. Published January 7, 2026
Energy boss Wright says U.S. will control Venezuelan oil flow ‘indefinitely’
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday the U.S. government will direct the sale of Venezuelan oil for the foreseeable future to benefit the world and the South American country. Published January 7, 2026
Democrats, global powers demand clarity as Trump revels in ‘brilliant’ Maduro raid
President Trump took a victory lap Tuesday over his "brilliant" operation to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as Democrats demanded clarity about what comes next, saying Americans cannot afford an open-ended commitment in the South American nation. Published January 6, 2026
At House GOP retreat, Trump marvels over Venezuela raid: ‘So complex’
President Trump on Tuesday defended his decision to depose and arrest Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro as a "brilliant" operation that took a "violent guy" out of South America. Published January 6, 2026
‘We’re going to keep the oil,’ Trump tells TV host about Venezuela
President Trump is rejecting comparisons between his capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and President George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq, saying the U.S. plans to keep the oil from the South American nation. Published January 6, 2026
Trump neutralizes politics of Jan. 6, 2021; security is focus of new committee
When the Jan. 6 attack unfolded in Washington five years ago, many people believed that President Trump was in big trouble and could even land in prison. Instead, he is entering the second year of another White House term and is rewriting the narrative around the Capitol clash that shocked the world. Published January 5, 2026
Maduro, donning prison uniform, pleads not guilty in first appearance before judge in NYC
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told a federal judge that he was "captured" as he pleaded not guilty in a federal courtroom in New York City to charges he masterminded a narco-terrorism conspiracy. Published January 5, 2026
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebukes Trump, says Greenland is ‘not for sale’
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wants President Trump to know that Greenland is "not for sale." Published January 5, 2026
Trump delays big tariffs on furniture, kitchen and bathroom cabinets for one year
President Trump is delaying higher tariffs on imported upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities for one year, citing fruitful negotiations with trading partners. Published January 2, 2026
Jack Smith stands by his prosecutorial pursuit of Trump in transcript of House’s closed-door session
Former special counsel Jack Smith used a closed-door session with Congress to defend his prosecutorial pursuit of President Trump, saying his probe found proof "beyond a reasonable doubt" the president tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Published December 31, 2025
Most Americans expect stagnant or declining finances despite Trump’s 2026 optimism: Poll
President Trump says the country will see an economic boom in 2026, but two-thirds of Americans expect their finances to be worse off or the same a year from now, according to a new poll. Published December 31, 2025
Train engineers’ union agrees to five-year wage increase, bonus deal with freight carriers
A labor union for locomotive engineers and rail workers said Tuesday its members voted for a new collective bargaining deal that includes pay raises and bonuses without concessions to major railways. Published December 30, 2025
Meta says it is acquiring Manus, an ‘AI agent’ company with Chinese roots
Tech behemoth Meta said Tuesday it is acquiring Manus, a company that was founded in China and makes artificial intelligence agents. Published December 30, 2025
Democrats to hold special hearing on fifth anniversary of Jan. 6 attack on Capitol
Democrats will mark the fifth anniversary of the 2021 assault on the Capitol with a special hearing that focuses on election threats and new crimes committed by pardoned Jan. 6 offenders, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Monday. Published December 29, 2025
Trump’s Education Dept. to garnish wages of delinquent student borrowers in January
The Trump administration says it will kick off the new year by garnishing the wages of people who are delinquent on student loan repayment, reversing Biden-era leniency. Published December 29, 2025
Not just dollars: Supreme Court tariff case could threaten Trump’s favorite diplomatic tool
A Supreme Court ruling canceling President Trump's ability to impose tariffs on other nations unilaterally would open the floodgates to refunds and economic upheaval. Published December 25, 2025
