The Takeout with Major Garrett

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House on Hold: Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) Feb 21, 2024

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Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) is disappointed with the state of Congress. "It's been a rough couple of months," McHenry told Major on this week's episode. McHenry is frustrated that his fellow House Republicans "played politics" and didn't pass the national security supplemental. He believes a majority of House members will support aid for Ukraine if it's allowed to come to the floor. McHenry, who served as temporary Speaker of the House for three weeks last year after Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted, says that whether or not we have a government shutdown in March depends on Speaker Mike Johnson. He puts the odds for a shutdown at 50-50, calling it a "preventable disaster." McHenry also talks about the border, the threat of Russia, Trump's legal cases and investigations of Biden's family, and his impending retirement from Congress. Tune in!

Cyber Chat: NSC Advisor Anne Neuberger Feb 16, 2024

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Anne Neuberger, the White House's Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, joins Major this week to discuss the threat of attacks from cyber criminals, mostly based in Russia, who target vulnerable systems like hospitals and schools and hold data hostage for ransom. She details actions that the U.S. government is taking, often in coordination with international partners, to stop these attacks. Neuberger also shares her views on artificial intelligence – both the benefits and potential pitfalls.

Constitutional Clash: Secretaries of State Adrian Fontes (D-AZ) & Scott Schwab (R-KS) Feb 09, 2024

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This week, Major sits down with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab to discuss former President Trump’s 14th Amendment case and whether a criminal conviction is needed to keep him off the ballot. “He hasn’t been tried," argues Schwab, a Republican who is against an “arbitrary authority” making the call. “I don't think you need a criminal conviction and neither does the law,” Fontes, a Democrat, counters. The secretaries also weigh in on election denialism, the threat of AI on democracy and “sore losers” in government.

This episode was recorded on February 6th at Dirty Habit in D.C.'s Penn Quarter neighborhood.

The Power of USAID: Administrator Samantha Power Feb 02, 2024

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United States Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power joins Major this week to share her thoughts on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. She argues for the importance of both military and economic assistance for Ukraine from the US and Europe and warns, "If this economic support gets cut off, Putin can win this war without firing a shot." Power also weighs in on the allegations that a dozen United Nations Relief and Works Agency employees participated in the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas and discusses the need to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Trump's Trials: Filmmaker Michael Kirk Jan 26, 2024

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Director and writer Michael Kirk joins Major this week to talk about his upcoming FRONTLINE documentary, "Democracy on Trial," which premieres on January 30th across all PBS stations and streaming on demand and YouTube. The film explores January 6th and the Congressional hearings investigating the insurrection, and the criminal cases against former President Trump. Kirk discusses his approach to making the documentary, the challenges of getting people to talk with investigations underway and concerns about Trump's influence over the Republican party, and the 2024 presidential election.

Power to the Patients: Rapper Fat Joe Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

There's "So Much More" to Fat Joe, our special guest this week, than his legendary career in hip-hop music. The "Lean Back" rapper joins Major for a light lunch at Santa Rosa Taqueria in D.C. to discuss Power to the Patients, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to raise awareness on the need for prices and transparency in healthcare. During his recent visit to Washington, he went "All The Way Up" to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers in Congress and advocate for "people in America that are wobbling across the street that are afraid to walk in the hospital because they gotta pay their bills." Joe also explains how hip-hop "saved" his life, and he offers his take on what's changed about the music industry (there's a Taylor Swift mention or two) over the course of his career. We're "So Excited" to share this week's episode with you!

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

This week, Major sits down with Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Casey said, “There has to be a lot more transparency," surrounding Defense Secretary's Lloyd Austin's hospital stay. “No one should say that this is acceptable." Casey also weighs in on immigration and the funding fight for aide to Ukraine and Israel. This episode was recorded on January 9th at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C. Join us!

Doc Talk: Former Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams Jan 05, 2024

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Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as Surgeon General under former President Donald Trump, joins Major this week to discuss the lessons he learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of mixing politics and public health. His new book, "Crisis and Chaos," chronicles his successes and failures trying to communicate accurate medical information to an often skeptical public and how we can improve next time. Dr. Adams now serves as Executive Director of Purdue University's Health Equity Initiatives. Join us!

Holiday Special: Winemaker and Author Alex Gambal Dec 29, 2023

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Alex Gambal left behind his family's successful real estate and parking garage business in 1993 to pursue a dream: making wine in France. His new book, "Climbing the Vines in Burgundy," chronicles his experience working the land and selling wine as an American vinter in the Burgundy region. Join us for a conversation that also includes wine recommendations for your New Year's Eve celebration. We're at Brasserie Beck in downtown Washington, DC. Join us!

Comedian Gary Gulman's Busy Year Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

What did you do in 2023? Publish a book? Produce and star in an hourlong comedy special? Both? That's what this week's guest Gary Gulman did in 2023. His new special "Born on 3rd Base" debuted this week on MAX and his book, "Misfit," was released this fall. Join us at The Lambs Club on in Midtown Manhattan for a very funny chat.

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