← The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Loading summary
Transcript115 lines
- [00:00]
Commercial Announcer
You walk in tired and hungry, one bad dinner away from losing it. You don't like to cook. You don't want more takeout. You just want something good. That's why there's dish by Blue Apron. Pre made meals with at least 20 grams of protein and no artificial flavors or colors from fridge to fork in five minutes or less. Keep the flavor. Ditch the subscription. Get 20% off your first two orders with code APRON20. Terms and conditions apply. Visit BlueApron.com terms for more. Get smoother, brighter skin instantly. In one easy step, Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant gives you the smooth, glowy skin you want without damaging your skin barrier. This gentle exfoliating powder activates with water to smooth out rough texture and brighten skin. It's powerful enough to deliver results, yet gentle enough to use every single day, even on sensitive skin. See the results for yourself. Visit dermalogica.com and use code smooth at cart for an exclusive free gift with $65 purchase. Welcome.
- [01:06]
Stephen Colbert
Welcome one and all in here, out there, all around the world to THE Late show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. Ladies and gentlemen.
- [01:15]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Today.
- [01:16]
Stephen Colbert
Today, more than half of Americans are digging out from a massive winter storm. Freezing temperatures from Texas all the way up to Maine. It's frigid here in New York City. I want to thank everyone here who stood outside in the cold today before he came in. I, I think we can all agree. ICE now. On Saturday. On Saturday, only 17 days after Renee Goode was shot and killed by an ICE agent, another American citizen was shot and killed by Customs and Border Protection agents. And again, Trump administration officials immediately blamed the victim, calling him a domestic terrorist. But videos appear to contradict federal accounts of the shooting. That analysis was from the New York Times, and they weren't alone. They were joined by NBC News, PBS News, Reuters, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal, as well as your own Eyes and Ears magazine. And I know that's Pee on My Leg weekly. The man who was shot and killed by CBP was named Alex Preddy. And the administration is making a big deal out of the fact that Preddy was legally carrying a handgun. But as you can see in all the videos, he never pulled out or brandished that gun. Now, I'm not going to play you that video. You've all seen it. And if you haven't seen it, it's because you didn't want to. And I don't blame you. But here's what the video shows. At first, Mr. Preddy appears to be filming the scene with his phone and directing traffic. An agent begins shoving the demonstrators and squirts pepper spray at their faces. Preddy moves to help one of the protesters who was sprayed as other agents approach and pull him from behind. Several agents tussle with Mr. Preddy before bringing him to his knees and he appears to resist as the agents grab his legs, push down on his back and strike him repeatedly. An agent crouches down, reaches toward Preddy and lifts a gun from Preddy's back near his waistband. Another agent unholsters his gun at virtually the same moment and points it at Preddy's back at close range. Two other agents open fire, shooting him in the back as he lays on the ground. At least 10 shots were fired, killing him. Masked government agents disarmed an American citizen and then executed him in the streets. That's what it looks like. Noem was asked about the video and here's how she lied this time.
- [03:55]
Commercial Announcer
Video appears to show he's disarmed before shots are fired.
- [03:59]
Stephen Colbert
So I just want clarity on that.
- [04:00]
Commercial Announcer
I want dude to not distract away.
- [04:02]
Stephen Colbert
From the facts of this situation. Not distract away from the facts of this situation. They want you to believe that something didn't happen when we all saw it happen with our own eyes. It's like claiming that Alan Cumming doesn't serve looks on the traitors when there's plenty of evidence that he feeds us every damn week, mama. Over on the cnn, head of the border patrol Greg Bevino had a unique take on this tragedy. With respect, it feels as though in some ways you're blaming the victim here. The victims are the border patrol agents. I'm not blaming the border patrol agents. The victim are the border patrol agents.
- [04:46]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Bull.
- [04:47]
Stephen Colbert
Masked secret police shooting innocent people with impunity in the streets are not victims. The only way they could ever even be considered close to victims is that they are at best weak minded individuals full of anger who have been led to the darkness by Donald Trump and are now participating in an evil system that will stick to them like hot black tar for the rest of their lives. I would cook guys. I'd cook at home from now fellas because no meal will ever go unspit upon. Bavino went on complaining. Look Dana, they're trying to portray border patrol agents and ICE agents as Gestapo, Nazi and many other words. Yes, do not compare ICE or border patrol agents to the Nazis. That's an unfair comparison. The Nazis were willing to show their faces. The victim. The victim, Alex Preddy was 37 years old and a nurse at the city's VA Hospital who had no criminal record. DHS did not even inform Preddy's family of their son's death. Instead, his parents first learned of the shooting when they were called by Associated Press reporter. Later that day the family released this we are heartbroken but also very angry. Alex was a kind hearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans who he cared for. As an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Hospital, Alex wanted to make a difference in the world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman. The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman. ICE just put all while being pepper sprayed. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you. The truth is. Well, the truth is Preddy was on the front lines of the COVID 19 pandemic and a beloved mentor to nurses stepping into the intimidating environment of the intensive care unit. His colleagues say he was the kind of nurse patients remembered. This administration has no idea the mistake they just made. They're messing with nurses now. They're underpaid, overworked and they're the ones who have to deal with Dr. Rabi's inner demons. You stupid old men really want to cross the people in charge in putting in your catheters? Believe me, they can do it the lubricated way or the unlubricated way. You just made your choice. Everyone knows. Everyone knows. There has to be an investigation. And this weekend Kristi Noem announced that the DHS will be leading the Border Patrol shooting investigation in Minneapolis. But the outcry at that announcement was so huge that today it was announced the FBI will also lead the probe into Alex Preddy. Do you know how awful you have to be for people to go? We'd be a lot more comfortable if Cash Patel were involved here. Trump knows exactly who's to blame for Preddy's death. It's people who didn't vote for him Last night he posted Democrats are putting illegal alien criminals over tax paying, law abiding citizens and they have created dangerous circumstances for everyone involved. Gotta point out your anti immigrant thugs are the one killing tax paying, law abiding citizens and Americans won't stand for it because we have read our country's user agreement. We have read our country's user agreement, the Declaration of Independence. Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it. Those, those, those right there, those might be the most important words of our founding documents. Right after Wendy's now has tendies. The Trump administration wants to paint the protesters in Minnesota as violent so they can justify further against them. Which is why it is so powerful and so beautiful to see the way Minnesotans are responding to these provocations. On Friday, before the killing of Alex Predden, Minnesotans staged a general strike where an estimated 50,000 people took to the streets. They took to the streets in negative 20 degree weather and held a peaceful protest at Minneapolis St. Paul Airport where faith leaders were from various religions staged to pray in and around 100 of them were arrested. Generally speaking, the good guys aren't the ones dragging away the people kneeling in prayer as Jesus said. Guys, I'm starting to think you didn't read my book. Governor Walz, they're out there. Governor Walls has now deployed the National Guard to protect protesters. And the Guard is doing it in the most Minnesotan way possible. What are you guys giving out?
- [10:45]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Thank you for letting us.
- [10:46]
Commercial Announcer
Hot chocolate.
- [10:47]
Stephen Colbert
Why was this important for you guys to do today?
- [10:49]
Governor Josh Shapiro
It's a demonstration of safety and security.
- [10:52]
Stephen Colbert
We're here to help. Yes, that, that's beautiful. That's a way to keep people safe and warm. The worst thing someone in uniform should do to a US Citizen is hand out mini marshmallows instead of full size. Minis are for babies. I want full size. I'm a big boy. The Trump administration wants fear. And Minnesotans are responding with community. Just like these folks who gather in a Minneapolis church on Saturday.
- [11:23]
Commercial Announcer
We are here.
- [11:27]
Governor Josh Shapiro
With our city, in our city.
- [11:32]
Commercial Announcer
Our love for each other will carry us through.
- [11:40]
Stephen Colbert
Seeing Minnesotans react to brutality with grace reminds us all that standing up for our neighbors is our duty as Americans. As Alex Preddy said himself as he honored a deceased veteran who had been in his care.
- [11:52]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Today we remember that freedom is not free. We have to work at it, nurture it, protect it, and even sacrifice for it. May we never forget and always remember our brothers and sisters who have served so that we may enjoy the gift of freedom.
- [12:07]
Stephen Colbert
Amen. We've got a great show for you tonight. My guest is Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
- [12:21]
Commercial Announcer
Why does every recipe I try Need 18 ingredients? Including a jar of something paste I'll never use again but will sit in my fridge for nine months. I just want dinner in the oven fast. That's why I love Blue Apron's new one Pan assemble and bake meals. They send you fresh ingredients that are already chopped. All you do is put it all together and bake. That's it. No chopping, no weird leftovers. Just delicious, easy to make meals. Get 20% off your first two orders with code APRON20 Terms and conditions apply. Visit blueapron.com terms for more guys, it's.
- [12:52]
Stephen Colbert
No use putting it off. The best time for an underwear refresh is now Tommy John underwear is designed for a perfect fit that stays put all day. They're zero shave thanks to four times more stretch than competing brands. And their innovative horizontal quick draw fly is a game changer. With over 30 million pairs sold, there are thousands of men out there more comfortable than you. Don't settle for less. Go to tommyjohn.com today for 25% off.
- [13:16]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Your first order with code comfort.
- [13:17]
Stephen Colbert
That's tommyjohn.com, code comfort. Tommy John Comfort perfected. Folks, my guest tonight is the current governor and former attorney general of the great state of Pennsylvania. Please welcome back to the Late Show, Governor Josh Shapiro. Governor, good to see you again.
- [13:43]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Great to be back.
- [13:45]
Stephen Colbert
Glad you made it up here through the storm. How's Pennsylvania feeling after this?
- [13:49]
Governor Josh Shapiro
We're doing great. I gotta tell you, on my way up here, I spent some time visiting with the folks at PennDOT, the folks who had been up 24 hours, department transportation, plowing and making sure their neighbors are safe. These folks in every state in our country do not get enough credit for what they do. These are awesome people.
- [14:09]
Stephen Colbert
Of course, the other big story over the weekend is that another protester was killed in Minnesota, this time by agents of Customs and Border Protection. It's horrifying videotape. It seems very. Well, it is a chaotic scene. It seems clear the order of events when you watch the many angles. You've been in many roles in your state, state Congress, county commissioner, attorney general, and now Governor, clearly you believe the government is a force for good.
- [14:47]
Governor Josh Shapiro
I do.
- [14:48]
Stephen Colbert
What. What is your reaction to this violence and incitement coming from Homeland Security?
- [15:00]
Governor Josh Shapiro
I do believe that government is a force for good and I believe this administration in Washington is using it for pure evil in Minnesota right now. And it should not be hard to say that. I think Americans are outraged by what they see. And no matter what, how many times this administration tells us to not See what we're seeing with our own eyes. I think all that does is create more of a rift in. In our country. Here's what is clear. And I know this certainly as a former chief law enforcement officer of our Commonwealth. I also just know this as a common sense American, that the mission in Minnesota must be terminated immediately. What they are doing. What they are doing. What they are doing there is violating people's constitutional rights. What we are seeing is a lawlessness from this administration that must stop. We can no longer allow this. I will just tell you that they're not abiding by common sense principles of policing. The masking policy they're using. Stopping people because they have an accent, Stephen. Pulling people over and creating more chaos in our community instead of doing what actual law enforcement is supposed to do, which is to calm tensions and bring people together. I will tell you that for all the tools that we give our law enforcement in Pennsylvania, the most important tool you need to have is. Is trust with the community that you police. And what the federal government is doing is eviscerating the trust with the American people. And the Trump administration is making us all less safe. This needs to end, and it needs to end now.
- [16:57]
Stephen Colbert
Well, one of the.
- [17:01]
Governor Josh Shapiro
I think.
- [17:02]
Stephen Colbert
I think one of the critical things you just said there was about the sense of trust. And obviously, you're never gonna build trust with masked, unidentified, unaccountable, armed agents who shoot people in the street. And then you are asked to call what they did a virtue, not just legal, not just allowable. That was the right thing for them to do, that they are the heroes, that they are actually the victims of all of this. Here's one reason why I think that they should be unmasked. Or these men who evidently have been spirited out of Minnesota so they can't be identified. This is why CBP should identify them. Because until you identify them, you have to assume that every CBP officer is one of the guys who shot Alex Preddy. That's not fair to the other people who work for Customs and Border Protection. The guys are coming in, are stamping your passport. You're coming out of the country.
- [17:58]
Governor Josh Shapiro
You. You.
- [17:59]
Stephen Colbert
It is. It is. It's just common sense that it's safer for everybody who works for these federal institutions to actually identify themselves. It's not just for the knowledge of the public. It's for the safety of the people who do this work so that they're not painted with the same brush.
- [18:14]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Without question. And you are describing the policy that we employ for the Pennsylvania State Police and the policies that are used in most states, in most jurisdictions around this country, we have very strict rules on when you can wear a mask, when you can be undercover. Because part of the reason why you don't want someone masked, why you want them in a uniform, is because you want them to be identified as the folks in the community that are trusted to keep people safe, the people who are there to actually protect your constitutional rights. And what this administration is doing, I fear, is undermining that trust that has been worked so hard to build up between law enforcement and. And the community, relying on these agents who are not trained, who are given a mission to go out and create havoc in our communities that is ultimately making us less safe and less free.
- [19:07]
Stephen Colbert
Well, every person, Every person, every Asian, any officer, an IS or a CBP who attacks or kills an American and has then said, oh, no, they did the right thing, that's only going to say to the next community that gets these agents sent in that this is going to happen to you.
- [19:29]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Correct.
- [19:29]
Stephen Colbert
So the rumor is that Philadelphia is on the list. And as the governor of Pennsylvania, what are the options? Because certainly the governors of Illinois and governors of Minnesota and governors of California said, get out of here. We don't want you. You have to have given this some thought. What is the response you believe of a governor now in the face of what is an attempt to foment fear?
- [19:51]
Governor Josh Shapiro
We've given it a lot of consideration and we have spent hours and hours and hours doing, quite literally, tabletop exercises to prepare for it. It is a sad day in America that a governor of a commonwealth needs to prepare for a federal onslaught where they would send troops in to undermine the freedoms and the constitutional rights of our citizens. Think about that for a moment. This is un American, but I want the good people of Pennsylvania to know, I want the American people to know that we will do everything in our power to protect them from the federal overreach. There is such a thing as the 10th amendment. I believe the federal government is violating that. In Minnesota, we will stand tall and not allow them to violate it. In Pennsylvania, we'll defend the people here and we will stand up to this federal over.
- [20:52]
Stephen Colbert
We have to take a quick break. We're right back with more Governor Josh Shapiro, everybody. Well, the holidays have come and gone once again, but if you've forgotten to get that special someone in your life a gift, well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless. So here's the idea. You get it now, you call it an early present for next year. What do you have to lose? Give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch limited time.
- [21:21]
Commercial Announcer
50% off regular price for new customers. Upfront payment required $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan taxes and fees. Extra speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy. See Terms the holidays are behind us and school routines are back. Now is the time to help your kids start the new semester strong. IXL helps students refresh what they learned in the fall so they head into the new year feeling confident and prepared with new units and new goals. IXL is the simplest way to build better habits and stay on top of lessons without the stress. As teachers dive into new material, kids can practice those exact same skills at home to make sure the lessons really stick. IXL is an award winning platform covering math, language arts, science and social studies for Pre K through 12th grade. It's personalized, interactive and actually fun. Keep your kids motivated for the second half of the year at ixl.com don't miss out. One in four students in the US are learning with IXL. IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixllearning.com audio visit ixllearning.com audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.
- [22:46]
Stephen Colbert
We're here with Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro. Initially, the Vice President said after the death of Renee Goode at the hands of an ICE agent, said that these ICE agents enjoy absolute immunity for prosecution by Minnesota officials. You were Attorney General of Pennsylvania. Can the state prosecute an ICE agent or a CBP agent who does this sort of thing?
- [23:10]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Yes. And what the Vice President, who by the way, I mean such a sycophant, such a suck up. He. He embarrasses himself daily as he seeks the affirmation of Donald Trump. He is wrong when he says they have immunity, whether in Mr. Preddy's case or in Ms. Good's case. And, and by the way, I will just tell you as, as a former Attorney General, based only on the available evidence that I've seen that you've seen, I'm not privy to anything else, I think you could make a very strong case for voluntary manslaughter charges to be brought in the Preddy case. And I would also argue you could at the very least bring obstruction of justice charges in both cases. These federal agents are obstructing a state investigation. They have messed with a crime scene. They have made clear that they would be withholding evidence. What they are doing is dangerous. They are not above the law. No one is above the law in this country and no one has absolute immunity. I don't care what kind of BS JD Vance feels.
- [24:25]
Stephen Colbert
We're clearly at a time of momentous change in this country and in the world. I have lately been thinking about what might be on the other side of this and in what way are we prepared as a country. It seems clear the Republicans aren't going to stand up to Donald Trump. There are some sort of rumblings, a lot of anonymous behind closed doors. Not exactly profiles and courage. And the Democrats aren't winning an enormous amount of points from the American people, even from their own followers. There's a lot of excitement for people like Bernie Sanders or Zoran Mamdani or aoc. And I don't necessarily think it's over their policies, though. I don't have a problem with their policies. I think it's because they name reality. Yeah, they have the courage to not speak politically and say, this is what's happening. And I'm curious as a notable Democrat who may or may not have other offices in mind in the future. And we'll get to that in a moment and you'll have an opportunity to say, I have no idea what you're talking about.
- [25:26]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Thanks for having me, everybody.
- [25:27]
Stephen Colbert
Exactly. All right, so what do you think the proper response is politically here?
- [25:33]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Yeah. Concrete action.
- [25:35]
Stephen Colbert
So what is it?
- [25:37]
Governor Josh Shapiro
I'll explain. Every single day in Pennsylvania, I talk about gsd, get stuff done. I think what the American people are so desperate for are concrete actions, things that will make their lives better. So let's talk about three concrete actions this week to deal with Minnesota. Number one, today in a court of law, Minnesota officials are arguing their 10th Amendment rights should be. Should Trump. No pun intended. I was not trying to make a joke there. Stop the federal overreach and get them out of their city. That's number one. Number two, the Congress of the United States on Friday has the ability to stand up and stop funding ICE and terminate this mission in Minnesota. And third, Third, it's not just for people with titles next to their name to do this work. I think all of you have powerful voices. We have begun to see not just people in Minnesota, not just people who hold elected office, but outraged common sense Americans speaking up. Look at what Steve Kerr, the coach of the Golden State warriors said yesterday and others, more and more people speak up. The one thing about this president is he is susceptible to public opinion. Let him know what your opinion is and your opinion is this has to stop. Three concrete things that can be done this week, but what I think folks are thirsting for are concrete actions that make their lives better. Back to the first thing you said. I do believe government can be a force for good in people's lives. We are seeing it deployed for evil. We have to show concrete ways.
- [27:20]
Stephen Colbert
The second of your two points about defunding ICE is that, I mean, certainly the architects of Project 2025 saw knew that people wouldn't like what they were going to do with mass deportations, would not like what was going door to door without warrants and busting into people's house, shooting people with impunity. Here it's funded, man. They've got $75 billion. So it's going to be years before they run out of that cash.
- [27:45]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Do you.
- [27:45]
Stephen Colbert
Do you really think that defunding it now will stop something in the immediate future?
- [27:48]
Governor Josh Shapiro
I didn't say defund. I think what they can do is stop the funding on Friday with that legislation. I think Senator Cortez Masto has the right idea with her legislation. They can attach language that restricts the.
- [28:00]
Stephen Colbert
Way these dollars that have already been allocated get used.
- [28:03]
Governor Josh Shapiro
They can restrict the way these dollars can be spent. That's a concrete step Congress can take right now. And listen, there are some Republicans to the point you made before in Congress who are feeling the political heat. They ain't doing this out of the goodness of their own heart. They're afraid of Donald Trump, but they're feeling some political heat because all of you are speaking up. Make sure that they take these tweets or these posts or these statements that they're making this week to try and placate some members of their districts or their states and force them to vote to put some controls on Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, J.D. vance and Donald Trump.
- [28:45]
Stephen Colbert
As much as. As much as they may want to foment violence an excuse to cite the Insurrection act, as much as there's.
- [28:57]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Which is a real danger.
- [28:58]
Stephen Colbert
There's a weird. It's a real danger. There's a weird sort of hankering for a civil war by the people who are in support of the actions of ICE and CBP here. We're not in a civil war, okay? This is Americans being abused by their government. We're not actually at arms with each other yet, but Abraham Lincoln did say at the end in the second inaugural address, he talk about essentially what's going to be on the other side of all of this. How do we then heal as a nation and appeal to the better angels of our nature? I'm just curious, as a governor who's given some of some thought to this, what do you think is on the other side of our present crisis?
- [29:37]
Governor Josh Shapiro
You know, I wrote about this in my book.
- [29:40]
Stephen Colbert
You mean there you go, where we keep the light.
- [29:46]
Governor Josh Shapiro
There you go. Thank you for that, Stephen. I wrote about this grand experiment in American democracy that started in Philadelphia. And the brilliance of the founders was, while they put a lot of words on paper, important words on paper, their brilliance was that they left it incomplete. They left it to succeeding generations to do the hard work to perfect our union. They left it to succeeding generations to do the hard work to include more people in our union. And over time, in the American story, we have taken steps forward, and then we've gotten knocked back a step, and then we've continued forward. We're getting knocked back a step right now. But the story of America is ordinary Americans rising up, demanding more, seeking justice, pushing back on excesses, and trying to leave this world a little bit better for their kids and their grandchildren and the next generation. This is a moment, yes, where the Congress of the United States needs to be a check on the President, where governors need to be called upon to protect their citizens, but most importantly, where ordinary Americans need to rise up and do the hard work. No one is going to do it for us. And I know that there are people out there, Stephen, that want to pull up the covers, turn off the news. That doesn't make the darkness go away. We got to seek light. We got to do this work, and it's on us right now.
- [31:20]
Stephen Colbert
The people of Minnesota are inspiring in that way, without question, clearly, at a cost of sacrifice.
- [31:27]
Governor Josh Shapiro
The people of Minnesota are standing up. They're protesting in minus 20 degrees, and they're doing it peacefully. Don't listen to what the other side is saying on that. They're doing this peacefully, and they are showing us the way. We need to join them in this. This is a tipping point in this country, and I believe we can get back to goodness. We can find the light. We got to do this work together now.
- [31:51]
Stephen Colbert
Coming up next Monday. Next Monday, really big day in Pennsylvania.
- [32:00]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Okay.
- [32:00]
Stephen Colbert
Huge.
- [32:01]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Huge.
- [32:01]
Stephen Colbert
It's Groundhog Day.
- [32:02]
Governor Josh Shapiro
The biggest.
- [32:05]
Stephen Colbert
There it is. Okay. There it is. This takes place, of course, on Gobbler's Knob.
- [32:10]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Sure.
- [32:10]
Stephen Colbert
In Punxsutawney.
- [32:11]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Right?
- [32:12]
Stephen Colbert
I'm not telling anything you don't know. I'm sure it's in the state constitution.
- [32:14]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Every year as governor.
- [32:15]
Stephen Colbert
Exactly.
- [32:16]
Governor Josh Shapiro
We're working to amend the constitution and put Phil into it. Okay.
- [32:20]
Stephen Colbert
Okay. Some people don't want there to be an actual live groundhog anymore. They think it's abusive to the groundhog, who seems fine right there, by the way. They have to give, like, tramadol and gabapentin or something for this, don't they?
- [32:35]
Governor Josh Shapiro
He's in such good shape.
- [32:37]
Stephen Colbert
Okay.
- [32:38]
Governor Josh Shapiro
That guy gets better health care than you and I do, I'll tell you that.
- [32:40]
Stephen Colbert
Exactly. And I'm sure it's government provided. Now, what do you say to the people who don't want Phil in there anymore?
- [32:47]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Yeah, don't tread on Phil. I mean, I gotta tell you, PETA kind of came for Phil recently, and I stood up for Phil. I stood up for this great tradition. If you've not been to Groundhog Day, you better get there. It is a spectacularly joyful place. People from all 50 states come together every year. I've been there. I've guessed wrong. I hope for no shadow because I want an early spring.
- [33:13]
Stephen Colbert
So no shadow is early spring. Shadow is too much. Make your prediction now, please.
- [33:17]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Well, I'll say no shadow. I won early spring. And I'll be wrong. So you all should bet the other way.
- [33:21]
Commercial Announcer
All right.
- [33:24]
Stephen Colbert
I want to ask you about this one other headline right here.
- [33:27]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Oh, boy.
- [33:28]
Stephen Colbert
All right. Gritty's salary is almost higher than Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro.
- [33:34]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Yeah, I learned that the other day.
- [33:36]
Stephen Colbert
Do you ever think that perhaps it seems like pretty light lifting for a job? Do you think maybe you tried for the wrong gig?
- [33:43]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Yeah, I have made some poor career choices. And by the way, Gritty's got such a fun.
- [33:50]
Stephen Colbert
He's the man doesn't have to shave.
- [33:51]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Yeah. Shave. He's. I think he's bringing joy. You never totally know, but Gritty's got a good gig.
- [33:59]
Stephen Colbert
Now, you are married to your high school Sweetheart, Lori. Married 28 years. We talked about this last time.
- [34:04]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Yep.
- [34:04]
Stephen Colbert
But one thing that I found out that I did not know before is that you almost ruined your chances completely before the relationship really took off. Can you tell everybody your huge mistake?
- [34:16]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Which one? I've had many.
- [34:18]
Stephen Colbert
This one. That one right there. Right there.
- [34:21]
Governor Josh Shapiro
So, look, Laurie's gonna. She's watched. She's gonna kill me for sharing this, but Laurie and I were dating for, you know, a couple years in high school, and then we were on a break. She chose to have the break. I did not. And I thought, did you go to separate colleges? We went to separate colleges. And this was before the email and the whole thing. And so I decided that I'd get the girl back by writing her what I still consider to be the greatest love letter ever written in the history of the world. And so I sat down, I wrote this beautiful letter that we were branches on a tree, intertwined. We were always going to be together. And then I went to the post office, I got the envelope, licked it, sealed it, sent it, and I waited the three days I thought it would take for her to get it. And no call came. And she didn't drive through the night through a driving rain to come and.
- [35:23]
Stephen Colbert
Hurl herself into your arms. Exactly.
- [35:25]
Governor Josh Shapiro
And a few months went by, and I heard nothing, Stephen. And we happened to be home for a break, and I kind of sidled over, I said, hey, did you get my letter? Kind of poured my heart out to you there and what I learned. And I need to preface this by saying my wife is a wonderful person. Rather than write me back, she decided the letter was so extra, as she would call it, that she staged a dramatic reading in her dorm room of my letter to all of her friends, who, by the way, a few months ago, I. I went to her 30th college reunion, and they were recounting passages from that letter that they still remember. But I got the girl at the end of the day, and We've been married 28 years.
- [36:17]
Stephen Colbert
Congratulations.
- [36:17]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Thank you.
- [36:19]
Stephen Colbert
Touch and Go there.
- [36:20]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Touch and Go.
- [36:21]
Stephen Colbert
His memoir, Where We Keep the Light, is out tomorrow. Governor Josh Shapiro, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.
- [36:41]
Commercial Announcer
Starting a business can seem like a daunting task unless you have a partner like Shopify. They have the tools you need to start and grow your business. From designing a website to marketing to selling and beyond, Shopify can help with everything you need. There's a reason millions of companies like Mattel, Heinz and Allbirds continue to trust and use them. With Shopify on your side, turn your big business idea into sign up for your $1 per month trial@shopify.com specialoffer. I'm back. I'm really back.
- [37:11]
Governor Josh Shapiro
School Spirits returns.
- [37:13]
Stephen Colbert
Why am I here?
- [37:14]
Governor Josh Shapiro
Not dead, right? This place is an absolute death trap. We need to get out of here now. School Spirits new season streaming January 28th.
- [37:23]
Commercial Announcer
Only on Paramount Plus.