The Takeout

Join us at Carmine's in Washington D.C.'s Penn Quarter for epic quantities of rigatoni, calamari and garlic bread - and an equally delicious conversation with California Congressman Ro Khanna. Khanna, a progressive Democrat and ally of President Biden, says it's time for the U.S. to halt offensive weapons transfers to Israel. He weighs in on Mr. Biden's electoral prospects in key states and explains his very public critique of Robert F. Kennedy's runningmate. Join us!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After an extraordinary junior golf career and a battle with personal demons, Lisa Cornwell got what should have been a dream job: on-air reporter for The Golf Channel. Cornwell spent seven years covering professional and collegiate golf but she writes few things about the job were all that dreamy. Cornwell describes a toxic, misogynistic workplace culture that punished women for speaking up. Her new memoir, “Troublemaker,” details a life of birdies and bogeys and what she’s learned along the way. Join us at Ris in Washington’s West End for a Masters week special. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CBS News national correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti joins Major to discuss his new book, Before It's Gone: Stories from the Front Lines of Climate Change in Small-Town America, out this week from Simon & Schuster. Vigliotti, who is frequently called upon by CBS to cover natural disasters and their impact on American communities, shares stories of survivors with, "lessons to teach us all of what they have been through, of what they have witnessed." He recounts the near-death experience he and his photographer encountered during the 2019 Kincaid Fire in Sonoma County, California: "There was no way out. There was no exit." Plus: the roles that beavers play in combating climate change.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we focus our attention on the new nine-part Netflix documentary series Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War, which offers viewers a comprehensive look at the Cold War and its aftermath. Major chats with Turning Point director Brian Knappenberger, an accomplished documentary filmmaker whose team conducted over 100 interviews with a variety of subjects: survivors of the atomic blasts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, current or former world leaders and many other key figures of the Cold War era. Knappenberger says his doc series aims to tell a story about the reverberations from the invention of the atomic bomb and that while it's primarily a look back at the events of the Cold War, it also reflects "the tension we're feeling now" with Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing quest to make Russia powerful again.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's guest wears several hats: he's an author, a data analyst, a tech businessman and a former gubernatorial candidate in his home state of Rhode Island. Ken Block, who joined Major for breakfast at Any Day Now in D.C.'s Navy Yard neighborhood, was also briefly employed by the Trump campaign to hunt for voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Block's new book, Disproven, details his unbiased search for evidence of fraud that ultimately, "wasn't there." He tells Major that he's worried about the election fraud narratives bubbling up ahead of the 2024 presidential election and warns that former President Trump, "has to be mindful that the election denialism is not a winning message."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su joins Major this week for dinner at Anju in Dupont Circle to discuss President Biden’s State of the Union promise of an economic soft landing. Su, who has been serving as Biden's acting Labor secretary since her nomination stalled in the Senate, also addresses her confirmation prospects and the criticism she's endured from her opponents. Plus: the “moment” unions are experiencing across industries, from restaurant workers to actors in Hollywood.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The man with one of the most coveted jobs in journalism, Anthony Mason, joins Major for breakfast at Carnegie Diner & Cafe in New York City's Times Square District. The veteran CBS News man currently serves as the network's senior culture correspondent, which means he's frequently profiling some of the biggest names in music. According to Anthony, carving out this unique lane was "entirely an accident" after a chance encounter with a CBS News Sunday Morning producer which led to him landing his first big fish: Bruce Springsteen. Anthony takes us behind-the-scenes of his interviews with the Boss, Neil Diamond, Adele, Pharrell and many more of music's most fascinating stars. It's Anthony Mason's greatest hits - and there's no B-sides or skips!This episode was recorded in December 2023.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political analysts and hosts of the "Night Owls" podcast Joe Klein and John Ellis are our guests on this week's episode of "The Takeout." They join Major Garrett ahead of next week's Super Tuesday primaries to discuss all things politics and campaign 2024 – from President Biden's age and the importance of his State of the Union address next week, to the impact of the 100,000 "uncommitted" votes in the Michigan Democratic primary related to Biden's handling of the war in Gaza and rumors of Michelle Obama's potential presidential candidacy. They also talk about Trump and Biden's dueling visits to the border, the Supreme Court's decision to take up the Trump immunity case in April, and Senator Mitch McConnell's surprise announcement this week that he will step down as Republican Senate Leader in November. Tune in for all that and more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alongside the CBS News investigative unit, Major visited Dekalb County, Georgia, recently to look at why there has been a sharp increase in the number of voter registration challenges since the last election. Citizens can now legally file an unlimited number of challenges in their own county if they believe there is an error in the voter rolls. Proponents of the practice argue it will help make the rolls more accurate. Critics fear it could lead to legitimate voters being struck from the rolls. In a state as closely contested as Georgia, every vote could decide the next election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger describes himself as politically “homeless,” at odds with a GOP he views as “anti-constitutionalist.” He believes former President Donald Trump will be the 2024 Republican nominee - and if that’s the case, Kinzinger intends to vote for President Biden. Kinzinger was one of two Republicans who served on the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. His new book, "Renegade," is an account of what he saw that day and what it means for democracy. Join us! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.