Major Garrett Biography
Major Garrett is a well-respected American journalist who currently serves as the chief Washington correspondent for CBS News. He also hosts The Takeout on CBS News 24/7, where he dives into engaging discussions about politics and current events.
Before his time at CBS, Garrett was a correspondent for National Journal. Earlier in his career, he held the position of senior White House correspondent at Fox News, where he reported on significant national and global happenings, including the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections and the war on terror. Alongside his reporting, he sometimes steps in as an anchor for CBS Evening News and Face the Nation.
Age | Nationality
Major Garrett was born on August 24, 1962, in sunny San Diego, California. That makes him 63 years old as of 2026, and he proudly holds American citizenship.
Education
Major Garrett graduated in 1984 from the University of Missouri with degrees in journalism and political science.
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Wife
Major Garrett has been happily married to Lara Brown since 2016. Together, they have three children. Currently, they live in Washington, D.C.
Major Garrett Career
In the 1990s, Major Garrett laid the groundwork for his career in political reporting, taking on roles as a senior editor and congressional correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, and later as a congressional reporter for The Washington Times. He made the leap to CNN in the early 2000s, joining their White House team, before switching to Fox News in 2002 as a general assignment reporter. While there, he covered the 2004 presidential election and took on the role of the network’s congressional correspondent.
Garrett has also contributed to various publications across the country, including the Houston Post, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and the Amarillo Globe-News. His writing has been featured in magazines like The Weekly Standard, Washington Monthly, and Mother Jones. He later reported on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, and on January 13, 2009, he was appointed as the senior White House correspondent for Fox News.
He departed from Fox News on September 3, 2010, to join National Journal, making his last appearance on America Live with Megyn Kelly. During that time, he was also a regular guest commentator on MSNBC and Face the Nation on CBS.
On November 18, 2012, it was announced on Face the Nation that Garrett would be joining CBS News as Chief White House Correspondent. He was promoted to Chief Washington Correspondent in December 2018.
Garrett also hosted The Takeout, a weekly podcast that delved into politics, public policy, and pop culture. The show wrapped up in 2025 after eight successful seasons, but in May 2025, CBS announced it would be making a comeback as a weekday talk show on CBS News 24/7, set to launch on May 27.
Major Garrett CBS News
Before assuming the role of CBS News chief White House correspondent, Garrett’s association with CBS News was established through his partnership with the National Journal. In this capacity, he served as the chief White House correspondent and played a pivotal role in CBS News’ Campaign 2012 coverage. he co-hosted the network’s coverage of the 2011 South Carolina Republican Primary debate alongside “CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Scott Pelley, in addition to offering insightful analysis for each of the 2012 general election presidential debates.
Prior to his tenure with the National Journal, he held the position of chief White House correspondent for Fox News, where his journalism spanned eight years. During his tenure at Fox News, Garrett delivered news coverage on two presidential elections, congressional matters, the Iraq war, and various other significant news stories. His journalistic journey also included a role as a White House correspondent for CNN during the administrations of George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Before his CNN tenure, Garrett held the positions of senior editor and congressional correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, with a focus on congressional affairs and reporting on the impeachment of President Clinton. Earlier in his career, Garrett worked as a reporter for The Houston Post, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and the Amarillo Globe-News.
Major Garrett Books
Garrett boasts authorship of four notable books in his repertoire:
- “Common Cents,” penned in collaboration with former Representative Tim Penny (D-Minnesota) and published by Little, Brown in 1995.
- “The 15 Biggest Lies in Politics,” released by St. Martin’s in 1999.
- “The Enduring Revolution,” which debuted under the Crown Forum imprint in 2005.
- “Mr. Trump’s Wild Ride,” a work published by St. Martin’s in 2018, rounding out his literary contributions.
Did Major Garrett Serve in the US Military?
No, Major Garrett did not serve in the military. Instead, he has dedicated his entire career to journalism, working with prominent news organizations like CBS News, Fox News, and CNN. His focus has primarily been on politics, the White House, and national affairs.
Major Garrett Salary
Garrett receives an annual salary ranging from $142,544 – $143,769. However, details about the exact amount of salary he earns are currently not available.
Major Garrett’s Net Worth
Major Garrett, the chief White House correspondent for CBS News has an estimated net worth of $8 million.