The Takeout with Major Garrett

Latest Episodes:

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA): The Extended Interview Nov 04, 2022

Show notes

Major met California Governor Gavin Newsom in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for this week’s episode of The Takeout. What’s the governor, who’s up for re-election himself, doing in New Mexico a few days before the midterms? Great question. Major attempts to answer that and whether the trip is a precursor to a run for higher office. Plus, Newsom’s sharp critiques of his own party, what he thinks of Kevin McCarthy as potentially the next House Speaker and Newsom’s take on Elon Musk owning Twitter. Join us!

The 300th Episode: Former D.C. Cop Michael Fanone Oct 28, 2022

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This week, a January 6th rioter convicted of brutalizing former Washington, DC metropolitan police officer Michael Fanone was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. Fanone was dragged, beaten and tased by rioters on the West side of the Capitol that awful day and, as a result, suffered a heart attack and traumatic brain injury. He shares that story in his new book "Hold the Line," and in this week's show, the 300th episode of "The Takeout." Join us for french fries, chicken tenders and pretzels at The Dubliner, near Capitol Hill.

Reproductive Rights and the Midterms, Part II: Marjorie Dannenfelser Oct 21, 2022

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Less than three weeks until Election Day, longtime anti-abortion rights activist Marjorie Dannenfelser says Republican candidates should be leaning into abortion as a winning conservative issue — not running away.

A raft of Republican candidates, many of whom won primaries touting support for the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision have moderated their positions in the general election or de-emphasized abortion as a campaign issue.

"I am most seriously displeased," Dannenfelser said, quoting the novel "Pride and Prejudice." "Most seriously displeased that people who think that this is the death of a human being would all of a sudden see it politically inconvenient to be part of what they advocate."

Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, blamed some Republicans for "inch[ing] to the middle, maybe the back of the bus" on abortion as Election Day approaches.

It’s lunchtime at The Point in DC’s Buzzard Point neighborhood. Join us.

Reproductive Rights and the Midterms, Part I: Cecile Richards Oct 14, 2022

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Cecile Richards, the former head of Planned Parenthood, isn’t sure what impact the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade will have on the midterm elections, but says the long-term abortion debate in a post-Roe world is just at the “tip of the iceberg.” Richards, now co-chair of American Bridge, told Major, “The midterm election is only one measure of what's happening in the country. But I do think long term, [political momentum for abortion rights] is not going to wane." It's breakfast time at Bistro Du Jour in DC's Wharf neighborhood. Join us!

Weather, man: NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad Oct 07, 2022

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Residents of Southwest Florida will be cleaning up the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian for months to come. What made the storm so intense? How did meteorologists track the hurricane? What sorts of warnings kept the loss of life and property from being even worse? Major puts those questions to Dr. Rick Spinrad, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We’re at Cafe du Parc in downtown DC. Join us!

The Big Truth: David Becker & Major Garrett Sep 30, 2022

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Your esteemed host Major Garrett is this week's guest alongside co-author and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research David Becker. David and Major's new book, "The Big Truth: Upholding Democracy in the Age of “The Big Lie,” just hit shelves and they're here to share why we should be celebrating the execution of the 2020 election, not undermining it. CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane guest hosts this week at The Dubliner on Capitol Hill. Join us!

Live from the Texas Tribune Fest: Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) Sep 23, 2022

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Republican congressman Chip Roy, whose district stretches from Austin to San Antonio, joins Major for a conversation before a live audience at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, TX. Roy dishes on the Trump documents investigation, immigration policy, The Big Lie and Republican prospects in the 2022 midterms. Join us for all that and more!

Mitch McConnell's Money Man: Steven Law Sep 16, 2022

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This week, Major's got Steven Law, president of Senate Leadership Fund, the SuperPAC working to elect Republicans to the US senate. The group will spend more than $200 million this fall and it's Law's job to figure out how best to do that. Law weighs in on competitive races in key states and the merits of this much money in our political system. We're at Dirty Habit in DC's Penn Quarter. Pull up a chair!

Former Trump White House Counsel Ty Cobb Sep 09, 2022

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Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb suspects the Justice Department investigation into the former president’s mishandling of documents – some of them highly classified – is about a broader inquiry into potential crimes related to the January 6th Capitol riot and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Cobb worked closely with the former president, defending the White House during Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

“I believe former President Trump to be a deeply wounded narcissist and he is often incapable of acting other than in his perceived self-interest or for revenge,” Cobb said. “I think those are the two compelling instincts that guide his actions.”

Join us for lunch at Ris in DC’s West End.

Right Hand Man: Marc Short, Top Aide to Former VP Mike Pence Sep 01, 2022

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Marc Short, conservative activist and longtime aide to former Vice President Mike Pence, joins Major for fried chicken sandwiches at The Henri, a French restaurant in downtown DC. On the menu: Short's take on the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, his experience on January 6th, Pence's presidential prospects, the 2022 midterm elections and the political impact of the Supreme Court's abortion opinion. Join us!