The Takeout

This week, Major interviewed former acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf. Wolf said that U.S. Capitol Police initially rejected help from the Department of Homeland Security during the assault on the Capitol on January 6. He added that he offered to send DHS law enforcement backup just after 2 p.m. that day, after a violent mob of Trump supporters had begun to infiltrate the Capitol. That initial offer was rebuffed by Capitol Police, Wolf said. Wolf and Garrett also discussed the Biden Administration's immigration policies. Wolf criticized the executive orders and actions the Biden administration had taken with regard to immigration, including rolling back some Trump administration policies. "A lot of these actions are actually very, very dangerous. Because what they are doing, taken together, is they are fueling the crisis that we see on the border today," Wolf said. "They're incentivizing vulnerable populations to continue to come to that border." To learn more about listener data and our privacy pract

This week, Major speaks with freshman Congressman Peter Meijer (R-MI), one of the few House Republicans to vote in favor of President Trump's second impeachment. Meijer said that he has faced death threats since his vote earlier in the year, and that the Republican Party will face "challenges" if it continues to align itself with former President Trump. Meijer says that he will likely not support the COVID-19 relief bill being proposed by the Biden administration, and that the GOP must overcome the "losing trajectory" that it currently finds itself in politically. This episode was recorded on February 24th, 2021. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, host Major Garrett discusses the Biden administration's plans for COVID-19 relief with a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Jared Bernstein. Bernstein says the Biden Administration's American Rescue Plan "is calibrated to be of the magnitude to finally deal this COVID-19 virus the blow that hasn't occurred yet," and that the plan would create an "inclusive" economic recovery. Major and Bernstein also discuss the inequality that has been created by the pandemic, a potential $15 minimum wage, and the best economic policies that can be put in place to help essential workers in these trying times. This episode was recorded on Feb. 18, 2021. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jitarth Jadeja, a former QAnon supporter who fell into the Q conspiracy/cult in 2016 and 2017, opens up about his experience of joining- and exiting- what he calls the worst two years of his life. Jadeja also talks about his dad, who joined QAnon and still is a fervent believer, and the family dynamic now that Jitarth is actively trying to save those who have fallen into the QAnon movement. Plus, Jadeja talks about what it was like when he realized the lies he bought into and formed his life around were fake. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) joined host Major to discuss COVID-19 relief negotiations proceeding in Congress, whether Schiff has his eyes on becoming the next California Attorney General, and the second impeachment of Donald Trump. Schiff and Garrett also discussed the role of the conspiracy theory QAnon in the Republican Party and controversial Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). This episode was recorded on Thursday, February 4th, 2021. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former vice presidential nominee and senator Joe Lieberman joins Major to discuss coronavirus, the new Biden administration, whether the filibuster should stay or go and his biodefense initiative. Lieberman says the senate should pursue an impeachment trial of former President Trump and ought to censure him if they don't convict. Stay for the Takeout Outtake Especial and learn Lieberman's favorite movie, music and book. Join us! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, progressive Democrat Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), who was in the House chamber balcony on January 6th, describes her harrowing experience during the Capitol siege. Jayapal was unable to attend the inauguration because she was finishing her quarantine after contracting coronavirus. She suspects she caught the virus while in lockdown with unmasked Republican House members on January 6th. This episode was recorded on January 21st, 2021. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) joined host Major Garrett the morning after he voted, along with House Democrats and nine other House Republicans, to impeach President Trump for "incitement of insurrection". Kinzinger explained what it was like to be inside the U.S. Capitol as insurrectionists stormed inside, saying that he brought a gun to the Hill on Jan. 6th just in case that exact situation arose. He also explained the reasoning behind his historic vote, and spoke about how the Trump legacy has changed since November's election. Plus: Kinzinger talks about the importance of a peaceful transition of power from the Trump administration into the Biden administration. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, CBS News election law expert David Becker joins the show to address the storming and desecration of the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob on January 6th. Becker said that the violence on the Hill this week "flows from the creation of an alternate reality," by President Trump. He also discusses the lack of evidence the Trump campaign presented on election fraud as it pertains to the 2020 presidential election. This episode was recorded on January 7th, 2021. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Major is joined by Washington, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine. Racine said that his level of anxiety is "high" due to potential protests on Jan. 6th by pro-Trump protesters in Washington, adding that President Trump has encouraged hateful and violent behavior since taking office. Racine and Major also discussed police reform steps that have and should be taken in Washington, D.C. and other cities to stop violence against Black Americans. This episode was recorded on December 29th, 2020. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a special Christmas episode, Major interviews Armando Varricchio, the Italian Ambassador to the United States. They discuss the COVID-19 experience in Italy, the decline in Italian holiday tourism and the Italian government's reaction to the 2020 presidential election. This episode was recorded on December 10th, 2020. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Major hosted a conversation led by the Economic Club of Minnesota between Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Congressman Tom Emmer (R-MN) about negotiations on Capitol Hill for COVID-19 relief, the National Defense Authorization Act, and efforts to avoid a last-minute government shutdown. Senator Klobuchar said that she is hopeful that COVID relief will be passed by Congress this weekend or early next week. Rep. Emmer refused to call Joe Biden as President-elect, days after the Electoral College certified Biden's victory. This episode was recorded on December 17th, 2020. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Major is joined by businessman and philanthropist David Rubenstein to talk about the 2020 election results, Donald Trump's impact on American politics, Rubenstein's "patriotic philanthropy," and the future of music and art in Washington, D.C. Rubenstein, who is Chairman of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, says that he hopes to get in-person events back at the Kennedy Center by mid-2021. The two also talk about what the American workforce and workplace will look like post-COVID-19. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's leading infectious disease expert, joins Major to talk about the pandemic and the incoming Biden administration. Fauci says he has not spoken with Vice President-elect Joe Biden but has talked with his incoming chief of staff and will meet with members of the transition team today. Fauci said British regulators "really rushed through...approval" of the Pfizer vaccine instead of scrutinizing trial data closely. Fauci worries there could be "a surge superimposed upon a surge" following the Thanksgiving holiday and said "it is possible" there could be another 250k deaths by the end of January.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Thanksgiving week, we're thankful for all the restaurants who have hosted us and our podcast guests over the past few years. Since the option of dining *in* is currently off the table, we decided to connect virtually with four D.C.-area restaurateurs to see how they're handling the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic. Major talks community, food and restaurant reinvention with: -Greg Casten (co-owner of D.C. seafood restaurants Ivy City Smokehouse/Tony & Joe's + wholesale company ProFish) -Simone Jacobson and Jocelyn Law-Yone (co-owners and chef at Thamee, a Burmese restaurant in the H Street NE Corridor) -Joancarlo Parkhurst (chef and owner at La Famosa, a Puerto Rican restaurant in Navy Yard) To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World renowned chef, restaurateur and activist Tom Colicchio of "Top Chef" fame joins Major for a conversation about the restaurant industry, its pandemic-induced challenges and what he would like to see congress and the president do to help the industry and its employees. Colicchio fears restaurants could be facing an "extinction event" if Washington doesn't act. Join us. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said she's concerned that the federal agency overseeing the presidential transition has not yet formally started the process, since President-elect Joe Biden must begin planning his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic. "President-elect Biden needs to hit the ground running," Gillibrand said on the podcast. "He needs to be able to have a comprehensive plan in place." Gillibrand also slammed President Trump's legacy at the White House, saying, "President Trump has really damaged our institutions and damaged our democracy in a way that is really unforgivable." This episode was recorded on November 12th. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America decided. But America is still counting. We still don't know the outcome of Tuesday's election. Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are all still too close to call. Major is joined by CBS News political aces Ed O'Keefe and Anthony Salvanto to discuss this history-making week. Join us for a beef stew lunch in the cafeteria at CBS News' Times Square election headquarters. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer joins Major for a discussion on the 2020 race for the White House, the kidnapping plot against her and President Trump's attacks on her handling of the coronavirus outbreak. "It's just a lie," Whitmer said of the president's accusation that Michigan is under lockdown orders. "He's propagating things that are demonstrably false. But he's whipping up anger by doing this, by lying to the crowd and feeding into the anxiety and fear and anger that people have. And it's downright dangerous and it's got to stop." Whitmer said she gets death threats each time the president attacks her. Join us! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brown University Political Science and Economics professor Mark Blyth joins Major from his home music studio to discuss the upcoming election and why Blyth says, despite what polling shows, President Trump "has got a lot more left than people give him credit for." Come for a fascinating conversation on the parallels between Facebook algorithms and cocaine-fueled parties. Stay for Blyth's take on the differences between nationalism here and abroad. Join us! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices