Major Garrett opens The Takeout by framing FIFA’s 2026 World Cup draw held in Washington, D.C., where FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised President Trump and awarded him the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. The U.S., Mexico and Canada will host in 2026; the event is described as a massive economic and cultural spectacle expected to bring billions to the U.S. economy and draw massive global TV audiences. Garrett and Weijia Jiang report from the White House, noting pop performances and the president’s embrace of calling the sport “football.” The leaders of Canada and Mexico were present; tensions over USMCA and trade were palpable, though leaders met to discuss trade amid the World Cup festivities. Garrett and Jiang also note FIFA’s contested reputation and the conspicuous absence of scrutiny at the draw.
Back in D.C., a judge ordered that Brian Cole Jr., accused in the 2021 pipe-bomb incidents at the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters, remain detained. CBS News reports federal charges including attempted malicious destruction by fire and explosives; investigators say Cole is a Trump supporter, but the Department of Justice has not alleged motive or direct ties to January 6 in charging documents. Cole has been speaking with investigators and now has counsel.
CBS reports on the Justice Department’s recent presentation to a grand jury regarding New York Attorney General Letitia James; the grand jury did not indict. Scott MacFarlane discusses how grand juries often return indictments on prosecutor-presented cases and how this grand jury refusal is unusual. He cautions the DOJ may try again.
The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel voted to stop recommending a hepatitis B vaccine dose within 24 hours of birth for newborns whose mothers tested negative for the virus, reversing a 30+-year recommendation and suggesting the first dose be given at two months in those cases. Dr. Jon LaPook of CBS News, a gastroenterologist, warns of hepatitis B’s severe consequences—liver failure and cancer—and notes the vaccine’s historic impact in reducing chronic hepatitis B. He emphasizes public health’s role in offering science-based universal recommendations for population health while acknowledging parents can make individualized decisions with clinicians. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, also a liver specialist, called the change a mistake that could increase sickness, highlighting the intense debate over public health guidance.
The Pentagon confirmed a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug boat in the eastern Pacific that killed four people; U.S. Southern Command released video of the attack. Charlie D’Agata reports this is the first strike in three weeks after an early September surge in strikes. The strikes are typically conducted by armed Reaper drones (Hellfire missiles) or other strike assets; General testimony and released video point to drone strikes. The carrier strike group Gerald R. Ford and additional U.S. forces in the region support counter-narcotics and maritime security efforts, though details about what was aboard the struck vessels remain sparse.
Major Garrett previews upcoming coverage: debates over extending Obamacare tax credits, and deeper looks at the World Cup draw and Team USA’s prospects. He teases segments on the program and returns after a short break.
After the break, Garrett interviews Joseph Ziegler, an IRS whistleblower who co-authored The Whistleblowers Versus the Big Guy, recounting internal IRS and DOJ handling of the Hunter Biden tax investigation. Ziegler says federal prosecutors had drafted a memorandum recommending felony and misdemeanor charges for past tax years, but those recommendations were not pursued. Ziegler and fellow whistleblower Gary alleged that the investigation was curtailed; Ziegler says he and another agent were vindicated by settlements with DOJ and the IRS and that they now work on IRS reform and deweaponization efforts. They argue taxpayers should be treated equally, and that safeguards are necessary to prevent political influence on enforcement.
Garrett then previews the Senate’s expected vote on extending ACA (Obamacare) premium tax credits, which currently expire at year’s end. Senate Democrats plan to bring a bill to extend the subsidies for three years; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accuses Republicans of doing nothing to prevent a “cliff” that would raise premiums for millions. Political strategists Mariel Suárez (Democrat) and Matt Gorman (Republican) debate possible outcomes. Gorman says Republicans created and then let the temporary subsidies get added and that Democrats own the current cliff; he calls a three-year extension a nonstarter for GOP leaders and suggests only top-down compromise could lead to a one-year extension. Suárez highlights the potential massive premium increases facing consumers and stresses that Republicans can choose to vote to prevent large cost hikes. The panel also discusses redistricting and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling allowing Texas’ congressional map to stand, and suggests that future Voting Rights Act decisions may change political maps and open opportunities in Deep South states.
The Takeout covers a range of breaking items: Netflix announced a proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., creating a major streaming consolidation pending regulatory review and corporate restructuring (spin-offs and approvals required). In Florida, a judge ordered release of transcripts from a 2006 grand jury sex-trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, citing a recent law enabling release of such material. The Justice Department requested unsealing of documents in several Epstein-related cases.
The Supreme Court agreed to decide whether President Trump can limit birthright citizenship by executive order. CBS News legal analyst Jessica Levinson explains the long-established understanding that the Fourteenth Amendment grants citizenship to anyone born in the U.S., with few exceptions (e.g., children of foreign diplomats). She predicts the Court is likely to reject the president’s attempt to undo birthright citizenship by executive order and notes the practical administrative chaos that would follow if the president could do so — questions about newborns’ statuses, paperwork burdens, and downstream legal ripple effects.
Garrett returns to the World Cup coverage: the U.S. draw placed Team USA in a group with Paraguay and Australia and a European play-off winner (Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo). Jamie Watson, former MLS player and soccer analyst, joins to break down the draw. Watson calls it a “dream draw” for Team USA relative to the overall tournament and encourages optimism: the U.S. starts in Los Angeles against Paraguay, then plays in Seattle against Australia, and will await the third opponent. He explains the 2026 World Cup will expand to 48 teams (up from 32) for the first time, offering more opportunities for smaller nations and widening the group stage. Matches will be spread across 16 U.S. cities (and others in Canada and Mexico), which will require teams to manage travel and logistics across the continent. Host-team advantages and the presence of stars like Lionel Messi (playing for Inter Miami in MLS) have heightened interest in U.S. soccer culture and the lead-up to the tournament.
The Takeout’s final segments recap the evening’s top media and legal headlines, including personnel and executive developments. Garrett signs off noting upcoming coverage of the Supreme Court’s consideration of President Trump’s bid to restrict birthright citizenship, the Senate’s vote on ACA subsidies, continuing reporting on the pipe-bomb suspect, the CDC vaccine recommendation change, and ongoing World Cup build-up and analysis.