Short questions with Dana Perino for Mike Emanuel

December 21, 2023 at 04:15 AM EST

In this "Short questions with Dana Perino" piece, chief Washington correspondent Mike Emanuel shares memorable assignments, favorite food, a priceless event at the Washington Monument and more.

You've seen us on screen, but have you ever wondered what we're like off-camera?

For the last few months, I’ve enjoyed checking in with some of your favorite Fox personalities to learn more about who they are behind the scenes.

What's the one thing Jesse Watters couldn’t live without? What's Bill Hemmer’s favorite Halloween costume? And what's sitting on Greg Gutfeld’s nightstand?

But that's not all! The fun is just getting started.

This week, we're excited to shine the spotlight on Mike Emanuel. He currently serves as chief Washington correspondent for FOX News Channel and joined FNC in 1997 as a Los Angeles-based correspondent. He's also a co-anchor of "FOX News Live."

He not only contributed to FNC's 2022 Midterm Election coverage — he's covered the news surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, helming overnight special coverage for the network. In addition, he reported live from the Capitol as it was mobbed by rioters on Jan. 6, 2021. During his tenure at FNC, Mike has provided live coverage of many other national and international stories.

P.S. We have so much more in store for you. Stay tuned each week for new editions of "Short Questions with Dana Perino" — and if there’s a question you want answers to or a suggestion for the person I should interview next, leave a note in the comments section below.

ME: Westfield, New Jersey. I went to school at Rutgers in New Brunswick, N.J. I worked in Midland-Odessa, Waco, and Austin, Texas. Then I worked in Los Angeles before joining Fox.

ME: Two are most memorable in a positive way. I was the pool correspondent when President George W. Bush visited the Vatican to see Pope Benedict in June 2007. I was in the pope’s private library as the eyes and ears of the TV networks about five feet from the pope and the president.

When the pope asked the president about seeing President Vladimir Putin at the G8 Summit we had just left, President Bush looked over and said, "Mikey, how are you?"

He was killing time before Vatican staff kicked the reporters out of the room. Then I realized I was in the pope’s private library with the pope and the president, and the president just called me "Mikey" in front of the pope. It was a "how did I get here" kind of moment.

The other amazing day was when President Bush traveled to the Holy Land in January 2008. I was the pool correspondent when President Bush went from Jerusalem to Ramallah to meet with President Mahmoud Abbas. Then we flew by helicopter to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity. I’m a proud Greek Orthodox Christian, and the first part of the church was the Greek Orthodox section.

So, I was speaking Greek with the clergy gathered there to greet the president, and I figured my ancestors would have been proud. It was a remarkable day being in the birthplace of Christ with the president.

ME: After working in Texas, I’m partial to Mexican food. I think the Mexican food in a place like San Antonio deserves to be on a list with a number of other foodie cities.

There are two places where I used to bring family and friends: Mi Tierra and La Margarita. The flavors are outstanding.

There are colorful outfits, Mariachi music, and it is all great fun. I’m also a huge fan of gumbo in New Orleans and deep dish in Chicago, and figured I’d throw this option into the mix.

ME: Washington Monument — proposed to my wife there, with it brilliantly lit and the flags waving in the breeze. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

ME: Sports play-by-play announcer. I announced Rutgers games on WRSU radio in college. I really enjoyed the adrenaline rush of the game unfolding in front of you without a script. But I ultimately decided to get into news and to be a sports fan in my free time.

ME: Time travel because that would be epic! And the name would be "Chrono Mike."

ME: When I was the Dallas correspondent for Fox from March 1998 to March 2001, we were told at some point we needed to work a weekend. So, we pitched going to the Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater, Texas.

When we arrived on scene, there was a giant pit of rattlesnakes, and I decided it would be cool to do some live reports on Fox in the pit with the snakes. I wore protective boots, but I think those who were working in the New York control room won’t forget that day.

I had rattlesnakes attacking my boots and protected legs on live TV. It made for some compelling television from the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup.

ME: Jefferson, Lincoln and Kennedy. I’d love to get the early America feel from Thomas Jefferson.

Then I’d be curious to speak with Lincoln and Kennedy about what they hoped to accomplish before their lives and their administrations were cut short.

ME: "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald — about New York 100 years ago — a very different time.

ME: Sydney, Australia. I was there for an APEC Summit back in 2007, and it’s been on my bucket list to go back and explore.

The weather there is also getting better as it gets worse here on the East Coast of the U.S.

ME: The people. I’ve been here nearly 27 years. It’s the people that make this place extraordinary. I think of all of the wonderful relationships I’ve made here, and I’m truly grateful for that.

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To read all of Dana Perino's earlier "Short Questions" interviews for Fox News Digital, check out this (long) list!

For her interview with Gillian Turner, click here.

For her interview with Madison Alworth, click here.

For her interview with Nate Foy, click here.

For her interview with Laura Ingraham, click here.

For her interview with five New York FOX reporters, click here.

For her interview with Katie Pavlich, click here.

For her interview with Guy Benson, click here.

For her interview with Pete Hegseth, click here.

For her interview with Sandra Smith, click here.

For her interview with Nicolas Yannicelli, click here.