Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Biden says Israel, U.S. ‘very close’ to hostage deal in Gaza
President Biden on Tuesday said the U.S. and global partners are "very close" to a deal that would release hostages held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Published November 21, 2023
Trump co-defendant in Ga. could go to jail over social media posts
A co-defendant of former President Donald Trump could head to jail Tuesday if a judge decides to revoke his bond over social media posts. Published November 21, 2023
No mandate needed: Voluntary mask-wearing gains cultural foothold in post-COVID America
Regardless of where COVID-19 came from, post-pandemic America looks a lot more like Asia, with people voluntarily wearing surgical masks as they go about their daily routines. Published November 21, 2023
White House feverishly defends Biden amid age worries: ‘Proof is in the pudding’
The White House is forcefully defending President Biden against claims he is getting too old to be president, pointing to his legislative record and a visit earlier this year to a war zone in Ukraine as proof of his experience and stamina. Published November 20, 2023
Appeals panel grapples with scope of Trump gag order in Jack Smith case
A federal appeals court on Monday was skeptical of former President Donald Trump's attempt to scrap a gag order in his election-subversion case but seemed willing to narrow down limits on what the ex-president can say, particularly in the heat of the 2024 campaign. Published November 20, 2023
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
