Hello, I’m Major Garrett in Washington. This edition of The Takeout covered several major stories.
Trump’s threat to Iran and last‑minute diplomacy
President Trump said he would order the eradication of “a whole civilization” — meaning Iran — if demands were not met. His demands, partly private, reportedly include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, binding concessions on nuclear development, ballistic missiles, and cutting support for proxies. He set an 8:00 PM deadline that, as the day progressed, remained uncertain. Pakistan’s prime minister asked the president to extend the deadline two weeks to allow negotiations and urged Iran to open the Strait as a goodwill gesture; the White House said Trump was reviewing the offer amid “heated negotiations.”
Frantic diplomacy followed, with Pakistan playing an intermediary role. Iranians reportedly were reviewing an offer to open the Strait, which would be a key off‑ramp if agreed. The rhetoric — threatening to destroy civilian infrastructure — drew immediate bipartisan pushback and raised concerns about international law and the laws of war. Senator Ron Johnson, a stalwart supporter of Trump, opposed attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure. Italy’s prime minister warned Iranian civilians must not pay for their government’s actions.
CBS contributors Ed O’Keefe and Joe Zacks (former CIA counterterrorism deputy assistant director) discussed the moment. Zacks said the president’s rhetoric reflects urgency and a negotiation tactic to prevent prolonged bargaining. He rejected widespread fears that the language implied tactical nuclear use, calling that a misreading. Zacks emphasized that the president’s phrasing was meant to force faster negotiations and signal intolerance for delays. The situation remained fluid and dangerous.
Artemis II returns; lunar images and science
Artemis II’s crew looped around the far side of the Moon and returned, sharing spectacular images. For about 40 minutes the crew was out of radio contact while on the far side; signals were regained, and President Trump called to congratulate the astronauts. NASA released images showing color variations on the lunar surface — observations confirmed by retired astronaut Terry Virts and by mission scientists as scientifically valuable: the human eye and astronauts’ narrative observations provide additional data beyond photographs. The crew expected to have taken thousands of images during the flyby that could reshape lunar science and planning.
Voters and races: Georgia special election and California governor contest
In Georgia’s 14th district, voters chose a successor to former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Trump‑backed Republican Clay Fuller was the favorite against Democrat Shawn Harris. Both are veterans; the war in Iran had become a prominent issue with Fuller backing the president and Harris condemning the rhetoric. Polls close soon; the winner will serve the remainder of Greene’s term and then must immediately campaign for the regular primary.
California’s primary (June 2; early voting starts May 5) featured a crowded Democratic field that risks splitting the vote and potentially allowing two Republicans to finish in the top two. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa defended his viability despite years out of elected office: he argued that 25% of voters remain undecided, the race is fluid, and that Californians prioritize affordability — high gas prices, utilities, housing and rent. Villaraigosa emphasized his record lowering crime and raising graduation rates as mayor and urged a course correction on policies that he says make it hard for working and middle‑class families to afford living in California. He said he would not withdraw to consolidate the field and called for competence and pro‑worker, pro‑business policy.
Gas, inflation and politics
New analysis from JP Morgan warned that if the Strait of Hormuz stayed closed, U.S. gas prices could spike to $5 a gallon; AAA reported a national average near $4.14 and local prices already above $5 in some states. Economist and former Trump adviser Stephen Moore said the Strait’s reopening was critical, that the world is not short of oil but the supply shock could quickly push prices up, and that if the disruption is short‑lived prices could fall quickly. He noted fertilizer and LNG also move through the Strait, affecting farmers. Moore cautioned that rising gas costs could erode the economic benefits of recent tax refunds for middle‑income families, depending on duration.
Politics and policy
The vice president, JD Vance, and the Pakistani prime minister were reported to be involved in mediation between the U.S. and Iran, with Vance in an interlocutor role. This role and Vance’s public travel (including to Hungary) sparked debate. Some saw negotiating through intermediaries as part of Trump’s pressure tactics; others criticized Vance’s presence in Hungary at a campaign rally for Viktor Orbán, noting Orban’s record on restricting press and academic freedoms.
Political panel analysis
Democratic strategist Mo Elleithee and Republican strategist Mark Bednar discussed whether an off‑ramp remained and the optics of U.S. engagement abroad. Elleithee warned of the civilizational stakes and urged diplomacy, while Bednar framed an off‑ramp as consistent with a negotiation posture to maximize leverage. They debated the vice president’s participation in foreign political events and the administration’s posture toward the EU.
Conversation Corner: energy and economy
CBS’s Conversation Corner noted JP Morgan’s warning and AAA’s average price; Stephen Moore argued the U.S.’s energy posture and global supply dynamics would determine the political fallout. He said short‑term pain for strategic gain could be politically tolerable if resolved quickly but warned prolonged prices would erode popular support and economic gains.
Interview highlights
– Ed O’Keefe reported live from the White House on continuing diplomatic contacts and Pakistan’s mediation.
– Mark Strassmann and retired astronaut Terry Virts described the Artemis II lunar flyby images and the scientific value of astronaut observations, including unexpected color variations on the Moon’s surface and the emotionally powerful Earth‑set and lunar far side perspectives.
– Antonio Villaraigosa discussed California’s crowded primary, the cost‑of‑living crisis, and his gubernatorial bid emphasizing problem‑solving and pro‑worker, pro‑business approaches.
– Colleen Shogan, former U.S. Archivist, discussed the “In Pursuit” essay series on U.S. presidents and first ladies for the nation’s 250th, noting essays on Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson: Van Buren’s presidency was defined by economic crisis and the growing sectional crisis over slavery; attempts at compromise often delayed solutions and, in some cases, worsened moral problems that eventually required war to resolve.
Closing
Major Garrett closed noting the fluidity of developments — particularly the Iranian crisis — and the continued fascination with Artemis II’s historic lunar images and scientific returns. The program emphasized diplomacy, the risks of incendiary rhetoric, the interplay of foreign policy and domestic politics (notably gas prices and campaigns), and how historical reflection (via archival essays) informs contemporary conversation about presidential leadership and national crises.