Tom Howell Jr.

Trump asserts control over decision to open up country

President Trump on Monday took ownership of the decision to open up the country once the coronavirus wanes, saying it will be up to him "for many good reasons" even though governors and local leaders issued mandatory stay-at-home orders.

April 13, 2020

Donald Trump retweets #FireFauci post after Dr. Anthony Fauci’s comments on U.S. virus response

The White House on Monday said President Trump has no plans to fire Dr. Anthony Fauci despite retweeting a social media post that called on him to do just that.

April 13, 2020

Trump will watch Pastor Robert Jeffress on Easter

President Trump said he plans to log on to watch an Easter service led by an ardent supporter, Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress, on his laptop Sunday and that pastors are adhering to calls for social distancing.

April 10, 2020

Trump says death toll should be ‘substantially’ lower than 100K in early model

President Trump on Friday said U.S. mitigation efforts are paying off and the national death toll from the coronavirus should come in "substantially" below the 100,000 once feared.

April 10, 2020

Trump calls for prayer, highlights COVID-19 sacrifices on Easter weekend

President Trump asked the American people to pray this Easter weekend as the country suffers from the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

April 10, 2020

‘Serological testing’ crucial in coronavirus fight, U.S. officials say

Americans will be adding a wonkish term -- "serological test" -- to their vocabularies in the coming days as federal and state officials point to immunity-screening as the key to getting back to normal when coronavirus cases tail off.

April 9, 2020

White House to test reporters ahead of Trump briefing

The White House said it will test reporters for the coronavirus before they attend President Trump's daily briefing Thursday after a correspondent who'd been in the press area developed symptoms consistent with the disease.

April 9, 2020

Donald Trump touts improving U.S. coronavirus models

U.S. officials are increasingly confident they will avoid the estimated 100,000 to 200,000 coronavirus deaths that spooked Americans last week but warned Wednesday of a "second wave" of infections if folks get sloppy and start to go out before the end of the month.

April 8, 2020

WHO chief: Politicizing coronavirus will result in ‘more body bags’

The World Health Organization on Wednesday responded to President Trump's criticism by warning nations to avoid politicizing the coronavirus fight, saying it will divide nations and result in "many more body bags."

April 8, 2020

Glenn Fine, Stephanie Grisham moves shake up D.C. as coronavirus pandemic enters pivotal phase

New York reported its largest single-day increase in coronavirus deaths as President Trump directed a Washington shakeup amid the pandemic, tapping a new press secretary and removing the inspector general poised to oversee how the federal government spends $2 trillion in economic relief funding.

April 7, 2020

Donald Trump: U.S. to withhold WHO funding

President Trump said Tuesday the U.S. will look at putting a "powerful hold" on U.S. funding to the World Health Organization, saying it struck a "China-centric" tone as the coronavirus virus unfolded and dragged its feet in declaring a pandemic.

April 7, 2020

Donald Trump removes acting Defense inspector general: Report

President Trump has reportedly removed the inspector general at the Defense Department who was poised the oversee the massive spending that Congress approved amid the coronavirus crisis.

April 7, 2020

Trump steps up attacks on longtime HHS inspector, claims political bias

President Trump on Tuesday continued his attacks on a government watchdog who compiled an unflattering portrait of the U.S. response to the coronavirus.

April 7, 2020

Stephanie Grisham leaving as White House press secretary, to serve as chief of staff to first lady

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham is being moved out of her job as spokeswoman for the president and returning to her former role with first lady Melania Trump.

April 7, 2020

U.S. coronavirus hot spots New York, New Jersey, Detroit turn corner

Coronavirus deaths appeared to be leveling off in New York, Italy and Spain, but the White House told America to keep its foot on the pedal to avoid squandering its gains, as U.S. deaths crossed the somber milestone of 10,000 on Monday.

April 6, 2020

Donald Trump: Americans praying for Boris Johnson

President Trump on Monday said America is praying for U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a White House ally who entered an intensive care unit after his coronavirus symptoms worsened on Monday.

April 6, 2020

Ron DeSantis, Florida gov., praises ‘innovative’ churches ahead of Easter

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told houses of worship on Monday to stay "innovative" and maintain social distancing as they mark Passover and Easter during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

April 6, 2020

Trump urges Americans to voluntarily don masks: ‘I won’t do it’

President Trump on Friday urged Americans to voluntarily don cloth masks to combat the spread of coronavirus.

April 3, 2020

White House to require quick coronavirus test for anyone to meet Trump, Pence

The White House says anyone who wants to get close to President Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will have to take a quick coronavirus test, as COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surged beyond a quarter-million.

April 3, 2020

New Jersey governor orders flags at half-staff to honor COVID-19 dead

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered all flags in his state lowered to half-staff Friday in honor "all those we have lost and those we will lose" to the coronavirus.

April 3, 2020