Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Trump endorses mental, physical tests for presidency
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday said anyone running for the White House should submit to mental competency and physical tests to show they are up for the job. Published February 21, 2023
Protesters in Poland tell Biden to send F-16s to Ukraine
Protesters greeted President Biden in Poland on Tuesday by pleading with him to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, something the U.S. had ruled out. Published February 21, 2023
Policymakers sound the alarm after Austin chaos, clashes with police
Republican lawmakers say Austin, Texas, is on a perilous path and needs to bolster its police force after street racers blocked a major intersection late Saturday to race and "drift" before throwing bottles and other objects at officers who intervened. Published February 20, 2023
Families hurt by fentanyl want COVID-level drive
Grieving families and advocates say there is an alarming mismatch between the immediate and severe threat posed by fentanyl and the level of awareness across America, especially among young people who do not consume mainstream media. Published February 17, 2023
Sen. Menendez questions Mexican commitment to fentanyl fight: ‘I just don’t see it’
A top Senate Democrat said Wednesday he's running out of patience with Mexico's lagging efforts to uproot cartels and stop the flow of deadly fentanyl, saying the U.S. is "working with kid gloves" when it comes to its southern neighbor even as tens of thousands of Americans die. Published February 15, 2023
Location, location, location: Virginia leaders make case for FBI HQ in Springfield
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and prominent Democrats linked arms Wednesday to outline a "rock-solid case" for putting the new FBI headquarters in their state instead of Maryland, as the General Services Administration nears a long-awaited decision on the site. Published February 15, 2023
Special counsel Jack Smith seeks workaround to Trump’s attorney privilege
The special counsel probing former President Donald Trump's handling of classified material wants one of the ex-president's lawyers to testify before a grand jury under the theory some of their conversations abetted a potential crime. Published February 15, 2023
Rep. Ralph Norman of S.C. endorses Nikki Haley, snubs Trump
Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina is endorsing Nikki Haley over former President Donald Trump, saying the Republican Party and the nation are at a pivotal moment that requires new leadership. Published February 15, 2023
Many COVID-19 hospital patients face problems 6 months after release: NIH study
Many COVID-19 patients who required hospitalization are grappling with coughs or rapid heartbeats, fatigue and financial problems several months after being discharged, according to a federally supported study that examines the lingering toll of the virus. Published February 14, 2023
Former VP Pence to cite Senate role in fighting Jack Smith subpoena
Former Vice President Mike Pence reportedly plans to fight a subpoena from special counsel Jack Smith by saying his role as Senate president shields him from having to testify about former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Published February 14, 2023
Bipartisan House lawmakers relaunch caucus to lift cap on state and local tax deductions
More than 30 House lawmakers from high-tax states are relaunching the SALT Caucus to loosen a $10,000 cap on the amount of state and local taxes that filers can deduct on their federal returns. Published February 14, 2023
China claims, without evidence, that the U.S. sent over its own balloons
China claimed Monday the U.S. flew its own high-altitude balloons over its airspace, though it provided no evidence. Published February 13, 2023
Trump decries ‘worst’ Super Bowl halftime show, not a fan of Rihanna
Rihanna returned to the big stage for the first time in years late Sunday, running through her hits from an elevated stage at the Super Bowl and surprising the world by revealing she is pregnant again. Published February 13, 2023
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she uses Chinese-owned TikTok but securely
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she is active on Chinese-owned TikTok because it remains a vital communication tool despite widespread concerns over privacy and national security that have prompted some governors to ban the app on state devices. Published February 13, 2023
FBI completes search of Pence’s home, removes one document with classified markings and other papers
The FBI conducted a consensual search of former Vice President Mike Pence's home in Indiana on Friday and retrieved one document with classified markings and other materials. Published February 10, 2023
FBI shows up at Pence’s home for agreed-upon search for classified docs
The FBI reportedly showed up on Friday at former Vice President Mike Pence's home in Indiana as part of an agreed-upon look for sensitive government documents. Published February 10, 2023
China blasts proposed state bans aimed to stop it from buying property in the U.S.
Beijing says proposals in some U.S. states to ban Chinese citizens from buying property within their borders would violate the principles of market economics. Published February 10, 2023
Mitch McConnell distances GOP from Rick Scott’s ‘sunset’ plan in continuing friction
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is putting plenty of distance between his GOP caucus and a plan from Sen. Rick Scott of Florida that would allow all federal programs to sunset after five years. Published February 10, 2023
Sen. Rubio says deadly fentanyl dealing must be considered felony murder
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida says anyone who causes someone's death by distributing fentanyl should face felony murder charges requiring a minimum term of life in prison. Published February 10, 2023
Biden casts GOP as a threat to seniors’ benefits in stump-style speech
President Biden, speaking in Tampa, leaned into his attacks on Sen. Rick Scott, Florida Republican, for proposing to let all federal programs sunset after five years. The president said the entitlement benefits would likely survive but might be trimmed back in a recurring review period. Published February 9, 2023