The Takeout with Major Garrett, 4/14/26
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The Takeout with Major Garrett delivers a high-stakes, fast-paced analysis of a pivotal day in U.S. politics and foreign affairs. The episode opens with the resignations of California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell and Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez amid mounting allegations of sexual misconduct, with new reporting from Nancy Cordes revealing that multiple women accused Swalwell of predatory behavior via Snapchat, including lewd messages and hotel invitations. The fallout forces Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego to publicly distance himself from Swalwell, highlighting the political cost of association with compromised figures. On the foreign policy front, the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues, with Elliot Ackerman analyzing the complex regional dynamics involving Saudi Arabia, Israel, Hezbollah, and China’s strategic balancing act. Meanwhile, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torres details the state’s landmark case against Meta, where a jury found the company liable for enabling child exploitation, with a second phase of litigation set for May focused on forcing structural changes to the platform. The episode also covers the Trump administration’s easing of sanctions on Venezuela, a quiet but significant shift in U.S. policy, and a deep dive into the political implications of Olivia Troy’s switch to the Democratic Party and her congressional bid in Virginia. Senator Tammy Duckworth closes the show with a fiery defense of her War Powers Resolution, demanding accountability for President Trump’s Iran war, which she argues is driving up gas prices and endangering American lives without strategic benefit.
Multiple high-profile congressional resignations are linked to sexual misconduct allegations, with survivors now speaking out and forcing institutional accountability.
The U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is proving economically and diplomatically complex, with regional allies like Saudi Arabia and Israel deeply concerned.
New Mexico’s lawsuit against Meta marks a turning point in holding tech companies responsible for child exploitation, with demands for fundamental platform redesigns.
China is strategically playing both sides in the Iran conflict—supporting Iran militarily while pushing for peace talks—leveraging the war to its geopolitical advantage.
The War Powers Resolution introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth aims to force congressional oversight of the Iran conflict, challenging the president’s unilateral war powers.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Resignations and Allegations: Swalwell and Gonzalez
“People all over D.C. make these jokes about like, oh, don't grope her. You'll be like Eric Swalwell. Like, don't do a Swalwell. And it's known that widely in D.C. that he is, I don't even think womanizer covers it, sexually harasses women.”
The Strait of Hormuz Blockade and Regional Geopolitics
Elliot Ackerman analyzes the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a selective operation that has not fully halted oil traffic. He highlights the economic and political strain on Saudi Arabia, which is already dealing with Houthi threats in the Red Sea. The blockade is also complicating U.S. relations with Israel, which views Hezbollah in Lebanon as an existential threat. Ackerman emphasizes the war’s multidimensional nature and the lack of a quick solution.
The War Powers Resolution and Congressional Pushback
“We're going to gum up the works with every tool we have at our disposal to have some accountability for this war.”
Meta and Child Exploitation: New Mexico’s Legal Fight
“This was essentially a product liability case. This was a case about a company that built and engineered a product using behavioral science, using technologists to try and hook kids, but also create elements that facilitated exploitation, and then they lied about it.”
Venezuela Sanctions Eased and the Epstein Ranch Reopened
Marco Pudo reports on the Trump administration’s decision to ease economic sanctions on Venezuela, particularly those affecting its banking sector. The move aims to stabilize the country under acting president Delcy Rodríguez, who fears mass protests if she cannot pay public sector workers. Meanwhile, New Mexico’s attorney general confirms the reopening of the dormant criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch, using cadaver dogs and other forensic tools to locate potential remains and encourage survivor testimony.
“We're going to gum up the works with every tool we have at our disposal to have some accountability for this war.”
“This was essentially a product liability case. This was a case about a company that built and engineered a product using behavioral science, using technologists to try and hook kids, but also create elements that facilitated exploitation, and then they lied about it.”
“The president has proposed to zero out the LIHEAP, the low-income heating program. So they want him to be the president for America first, which is what he promised to do. And instead, he's launched all of these military actions around the world that's not making America better.”
Host
Guests
Eric Swalwell
person
Tony Gonzalez
person
Meta
organization
Teresa Leisure Fernandez
person
New Mexico
place
Strait of Hormuz
place
Jeffrey Epstein
person
Trump administration
organization
Tammy Duckworth
person
Elliot Ackerman
person
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