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In a new interview with CBS News chief Washington correspondent and podcast host Major Garrett, Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) said he believed former President Trump would have “secured himself an interesting but positive place in the history books” if he had just acknowledged that he lost the presidential election in December, after the Electoral College had certified now-President Biden as the victor. Rep. Meijer was one of 10 Republicans in the House to vote to impeach Mr. Trump on a charge of incitement of insurrection last month.

The latest episode of THE TAKEOUT is out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever podcasts are available. More from this episode online at CBSNews.com here.

Highlights from this week’s episode:

• Congressman Peter Meijer on former President Trump’s legacy: “I frankly think that, despite all of the tweets and tension, that is an administration that would have aged well once some things were moved passed. But honestly now, the events of Jan. 6 – that was the capstone, that was the defining moment.”

• Meijer on Mr. Trump’s inaction on Jan. 6: “We had the number two, three, and four in the line of succession after the president in that building and he stood by and watched. We’re frankly incredibly lucky that day wasn’t worse than it was.”

• Meijer on his vote to impeach Mr. Trump: “I hope that we can get to a point where we can move on, but you can’t do that if you don’t address the wound. If you just paper it over, it’s only going to get worse and worse.”

• Meijer on some Republicans voting the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen: “As long as those myths, those fictions, those lies persist, we’re in for deep, deep problems as a party and as a country.”

Read more online: GOP Congressman Peter Meijer says Trump “destroyed” his legacy after January 6

CHEAT TWEET: .@RepMeijer on President Trump’s inaction on Jan. 6: “We had the number 2, 3, and 4 in the line of succession after the president in that building… we’re frankly incredibly lucky that day wasn’t worse…”

“The Takeout” also airs on select CBS News Radio affiliates (check local listings). Watch the video feed of episodes on CBSN, CBS News’ 24/7 free streaming news service, Fridays at 5:00 PM, 9:00 PM, and 12:00 AM, ET and Saturdays at 1:00 PM, 9:00 PM, and 12:00 AM, ET.

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