Tom Howell Jr.

Donald Trump rails against mail-in voting

President Trump on Tuesday continued to attack sweeping plans in some states to let voters cast their ballot via mail, saying it invites mischief.

May 26, 2020

White House on in-person G-7 summit: ‘We think it will happen’

The White House said Tuesday it is getting a "great reception" from world leaders who've been asked to consider a trip to Washington for an in-person Group of Seven summit in late June, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

May 26, 2020

HHS IG office is probing CDC, FDA efforts to test for COVID-19

A government watchdog who angered President Trump said Tuesday the Health and Human Services Department inspector general is probing the administration's role in approving, producing and distributing test kits for the coronavirus, after early stutter steps were blamed for allowing the disease to spread uncontrollably.

May 26, 2020

Coronavirus transmission maybe reduced in warm humid weather

Memorial Day is ushering in summer and hopes that warm, humid weather will take a bite out of coronavirus transmission, though scientists warn it won't be a panacea as Americans flock to beaches, public pools and parks.

May 24, 2020

Top Democrats slam Trump plan to send ventilators to Russia

Top House Democrats objected Friday to White House plans to send hundreds of ventilators to Russia at a taxpayer cost of $5.6 million, saying the "gift to President Putin" is unjustified given the ongoing pandemic and needs at home.

May 22, 2020

Donald Trump to states: Churches must reopen this weekend

President Trump on Friday said churches, synagogues and mosques are "essential places that provide essential services" and must reopen this weekend despite ongoing coronavirus transmission.

May 22, 2020

Trump rallies with vets’ group ahead of Memorial Day

President Trump used a White House event for veterans Friday to tout his accomplishments ahead of the November election and rally bikers to his side, saying they seem to like him and the feeling is mutual.

May 22, 2020

‘Social distancing’ nearly as novel as coronavirus

Isolating sick persons to avoid infecting the rest of the population isn't new. In fact, it's in the Bible.

May 21, 2020

U.S. offers $1.2B to support AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine effort

The U.S. government is committing over $1 billion to secure at least 300 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine that's being developed by Oxford University in Britain and licensed to pharma-giant AstraZeneca.

May 21, 2020

Donald Trump says Democratic governors not treating churches with respect

President Trump vowed Thursday to take action against Democratic governors whom he said are disrespecting churches by not allowing in-person worship services during the coronavirus crisis.

May 21, 2020

Donald Trump pushing for in-person G-7 at White House, a portion at Camp David

President Trump said Thursday he's pushing to host Group of Seven leaders at the White House in June, as he tries to revert from a virtual summit to a live-person event amid the coronavirus pandemic.

May 21, 2020

Donald Trump says he’ll wrap up ‘hydroxy’ use in a day or two

President Trump said Wednesday he would wrap up his use of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure against COVID-19 "in a day or two," after a two-day maelstrom over his decision to try a drug with unproven results against the coronavirus.

May 20, 2020

Mike Pence: Travel ban on Brazil, ‘other countries’ on the table

Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday the U.S. might restrict travel from Brazil and other countries as the administration eyes emerging hot spots of coronavirus transmission.

May 20, 2020

Trump floats idea of reinstating G-7 summit

President Trump said Wednesday he would like to revive the Group of Seven meeting at the "legendary Camp David," saying the coronavirus has slowed enough for him to reconsider an online summit.

May 20, 2020

Donald Trump dismisses Nancy Pelosi ‘morbidly obese’ insult, hydroxychloroquine criticism

President Trump on Tuesday had a simple message for the media maelstrom over his use of hydroxychloroquine: Bite me.

May 19, 2020

Donald Trump cheers drop in COVID-19 cases even as states reopen

President Trump on Tuesday pointed to the decline in coronavirus cases, even as states open up, as proof the U.S. can bounce back from the pandemic and enjoy an economic revival.

May 19, 2020

U.S. turns coronavirus corner on ‘very positive day’

Monday was perhaps the most hopeful day so far of the pandemic in the U.S., as a Massachusetts biotech company reported a promising vaccine trial, stocks rallied on the news, and every state but one was reopening for business.

May 18, 2020

Donald Trump taking hydroxychloroquine to stave off coronavirus

President Trump revealed Monday he has been taking a malaria drug that he once spotlighted as a promising treatment for the coronavirus despite the lack of clinical proof.

May 18, 2020

Steve Linick, State Department IG, fired at Mike Pompeo’s request, Donald Trump says

President Trump on Monday said he fired the State Department's inspector general at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's request and it "should have been done a long time ago" because the official was a holdover from the Obama era.

May 18, 2020

Greg Abbott, Texas governor, opens day care, bars can partially open Friday

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday said day care centers can reopen immediately and that bars and bowling alleys may open at 25% capacity on Friday, as he slowly lifts restrictions designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

May 18, 2020