The Takeout with Major Garrett

Latest Episodes:

Democratic Rep. Adam Smith to Joe Biden: Drop Out Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

With President Joe Biden’s health in question, Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) is one of at least 13 House Democrats to publicly call for Mr. Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. Smith joined Major to explain why there needs to be a new candidate, emphasizing that Mr. Biden can no longer carry the message of the party. The congressman, who called Mr. Biden one of the best first term presidents ever, envisions an optimistic future for both the country and the Democratic party with Kamala Harris as the nominee.

Dr. Fauci on His Book and Biden's Health Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

From the AIDS crisis in the 1980s to advising on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci has seen the country through the toughest of times. His new memoir 'On Call' covers his accomplished career, while providing insight into the high-pressure demands of his job and the minds of the presidents he has worked with. In his fifth (editorial note: actually, it's his sixth!) appearance on the show, Major sits down with Dr. Fauci to discuss Joe Biden’s mental capability, the consequences of Donald Trump’s optimism in the pandemic and the emotional toll experienced in the field of medicine.

The Future of Truth: Journalist Steven Brill Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

Over the course of the past decade, an endless stream of mis- and disinformation has made it increasingly difficult to parse fact from fiction. We sat down this week with a man who has a plan to restore trust in institutions and hold social media platforms accountable for divisive content that's often pushed for profit. Author and journalist Steven Brill, who cofounded the misinformation tracking tool NewsGuard, joins Major for appetizers at Buck's Fishing and Camping in upper Northwest D.C. His new book "The Death of Truth" is out now.

Ice Cream with White House Advisor Gene Sperling Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

Gene Sperling has served multiple presidents - real and ficticious. He was an economic advisor to Presidents Clinton and Obama and currently serves as a senior advisor to President Biden and coordinator of the American Rescue Plan. In between White House stints, Sperling served President Jed Bartlet as a consultant on the hit TV show "The West Wing." In this episode, Major presses Sperling on the causes of and solutions for inflation, economic perceptions versus reality and whether President Biden's age and health are in decline. Join us for ice cream at Thomas Sweet in Georgetown.

The Achilles Trap: Journalist and Author Steve Coll Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

What can the lead up to the war in Iraq teach us about America's foreign policy today? Journalist and author Steve Coll joins Major to discuss his new book "The Achilles Trap," which chronicles the rise and reign of Saddam Hussein and the miscalculations that led to war in the Middle East. Join us.

Immigration Nation with Author Zeke Hernandez Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Turn on certain cable news channels and you’ll hear how immigrants pose a threat to the nation. Listen to this episode (or read our guest Zeke Hernandez’s book, “The Truth About Immigration”), and you’ll hear just the opposite. Hernandez, a UPenn business school professor and immigrant himself, lays out a data-driven argument that immigrants are essential to economic prosperity in the U.S. Join us for lunch and a great conversation at Chef Geoff’s in Washington’s West End.

Commission on Presidential Debates Co-Chair Frank Fahrenkopf May 31, 2024

Show notes

The presidential debates, as currently contemplated, will look and feel different in 2024. President Biden and former President Trump are scheduled to meet twice at events sponsored by CNN and ABC. That leaves the Commission on Presidential Debates, the organization that has produced presidential and vice presidential debates for 35+ years, out in the wilderness. Major sits down with Frank Fahrenkopf, the commission's co-chair, to find out whether his organization has a future without debates in 2024. Join us at Unconventional Diner in downtown D.C.!

Lobbying 101 with Brody and Luke Mullins May 24, 2024

Show notes

Major sits down with authors Brody and Luke Mullins to talk about Washington’s favorite pastime - and it’s not baseball. Their new book, “The Wolves of K Street,” argues that the last few decades of lobbying members of congress and policymakers has only benefited corporations and the lobbyists themselves, leaving behind the general public. Join us at The Dubliner on Capitol Hill (where lawmakers and lobbyists have been meeting for 50 years!).

Fat Leonard May 17, 2024

Show notes

When the U.S. Navy needed something in the South Pacific or Asia, Leonard Francis seemed to be able to provide just about anything. Nicknamed "Fat Leonard," Francis showered senior officers with bribes - lavish dinners, prostitutes and gifts. In exchange, the officers kept lucrative contracts flowing to Francis's companies, which often overcharged the government for services and supplies. Francis was also able to extract something even more valuable than Navy contracts: classified information. Join us for a conversation with author and Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock whose scintillating new book "Fat Leonard" dives into one of the wildest scandals in U.S military history. We're at Ris in Washington, D.C.'s West End neighborhood.

Freshman Orientation: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) May 10, 2024

Show notes

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a freshman Democrat from the Dallas area, joins Major in the Longworth House Office Building for a lively chat about the speakership, Democrats' congressional prospects in 2024, Israel and Gaza and much more. Crockett weighs in on Donald Trump's appeal to voters, how abortion will play as an issue this cycle and President Biden's re-election chances. Join us!