The Daily Beans: “Void If Altered”

Air Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Allison Gill & Dana Goldberg
Podcast: MSW Media (Webby-award-winning, women-owned progressive news)

Episode Overview

Today’s episode delivers a whirlwind of U.S. political news, covering a rare federal indictment in the MAGA pipe-bomb case, a landslide Wyoming Supreme Court ruling on abortion, a wild update to National Park passes under Trump, dramatic changes at the CDC, slow-rolling Epstein file releases, and the White House’s newly-launched January 6 propaganda website. The hosts blend sharp legal insight, biting wit, and an activist spirit as they break down what these stories mean for American democracy, public health, and the 2026 political landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Grand Jury Indicts MAGA Pipe-Bomber

[02:59]

• The DOJ finally secures a federal grand jury indictment for the alleged pipe bomber after more than a month of legal wrangling.
• Initial delays were due to the holiday hiatus when no federal grand juries were sitting.
• Allison notes: “Very low bar, probable cause, but they were able to get that grand jury indictment despite covering up the motives of this MAGA pipe bomber.”

2. Trump’s Face on National Park Passes & “Void if Altered” Rules

[03:52]

• The Department of the Interior updated rules: covering Trump’s face on National Parks Passes now explicitly voids the pass.
• This comes after a “good trouble segment” where activists sold stickers to obscure the Trump image.
• Dana: “What a whiny little bastard.”
• Allison: “What kind of, I mean, fascist is the answer. But like, you must not cover my face.”

3. CDC Slashes Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

[05:40]

• The CDC removed several key vaccines (like meningitis and rotavirus) from its recommended list—now 11, instead of 17, are standard.
• Experts warn this will endanger children, and the decision wasn’t made by doctors but by “the ivermectin crew.”
• Allison: “Experts say the changes which are effective immediately… are going to endanger so many children.”
• Dana: “Seriously, keep protecting your children.”

4. Epstein Files: Less Than 1% Released

[06:35]

• Politico reports DOJ has released only about 12,000 out of over two million documents relating to the Jeffrey Epstein case—less than 1%.
• Huge delays and ongoing redactions despite laws requiring release.
• Allison: “They've released 12,000 documents.”
• Dana: “Unbelievable.”

5. White House’s January 6th Propaganda Webpage

[07:37]–[14:48]

• The Trump White House launches a new web page “praising” Trump’s handling of January 6, flipping blame onto Democrats and Capitol Police.
• Features false claims, attacks the Jan. 6 Committee, lauds Trump’s mass pardons for January 6 defendants.
• Dana: “The fucking nerve of escalating tensions.”
• Allison: “How are they denied due process?”
• Notable moment: “MAGA Granny” Pamela Hemphill, a January 6 participant, publicly rejects Trump’s pardon—[11:50]:
  • Pamela Hemphill: “Accepting that pardon would be lying about what happened on January 6th. I’m guilty, and I own that guilt.”
• Democrats (notably Jamie Raskin & Bennie Thompson) denounce the site as classic propaganda and evidence Republicans remain obsessed with rewriting the insurrection’s history.
• Allison on DARVO tactics: “Reversing history… where abusers do, where they reverse the victim and the perpetrator.”

6. Trump Proposes Taxpayer Reimbursement for Oil Companies Drilling in Venezuela

[15:05]

• Trump claims US oil could restart Venezuela operations within 18 months, with costs reimbursed by US taxpayers or future revenue.
• Dana: “So he wants to send the oil companies down there… and he’s going to take our tax dollars and give that to oil companies?”
• Allison: “You know, you can just do like wind and solar, right?”
• Trump’s plan raises skepticism amid history of nationalizations, sanctions, and low current gas prices. Reporters push him on whether he briefed oil companies ahead of recent US actions in Venezuela.

7. Rep. Doug LaMalfa Dies, Narrowing GOP House Majority

[19:10]

• Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA) passes away unexpectedly.
• With Marjorie Taylor Greene’s imminent departure, GOP majority shrinks to 218–213, meaning they can only lose two votes if all Dems are present.
• Allison: “This year is critically important... getting involved with local organizations and grassroots groups can make a real difference.”

8. Wyoming Supreme Court Upholds Abortion Access

[20:44]

• Wyoming Supreme Court blocks state laws banning abortion and abortion pills, citing a 2012 constitutional amendment protecting health care choice.
• Ruling is 4–1, all GOP-appointed justices.
• Allison: “I love this so much… It’s these kind of fun legal loopholes where Republicans knee jerk passed something that actually protects them.”
• Dana: “This is a win. This is… a win.”
• Decision may also lay groundwork for challenging anti-trans healthcare laws.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On CDC Vaccine Rollbacks:

  • Allison: “There’s not a single fucking doctor who decided this.” ([06:08])
  • Dana: “It’s the ivermectin crew. It’s the horse paste crew.” ([06:09])

• On the White House Jan. 6 site:

  • Dana: “Give me a fucking break.” ([10:42])
  • Allison: “The fact that they’re having to put up a little propaganda site on the White House web demonstrates how insecure they are.” ([10:44])
  • Hemphill: “Accepting that pardon would be lying about what happened on January 6th. I’m guilty, and I own that guilt.” ([11:51])

• On Trump’s Venezuela Oil Scheme:

  • Dana: “He wants to send the oil companies down there… and take our tax dollars and give that to oil companies.” ([15:12])
  • Allison: “You know, you can just do like wind and solar, right?” ([17:19])

• On Wyoming Abortion Ruling:

  • Dana: “Attorneys for the state had argued before the state Supreme Court that abortion can’t violate the Wyoming constitution because it’s not health care. Fuck off.” ([23:02])

Hot Notes: Rapid-Fire News Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Notes | |-----------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | 02:59 | Pipe-bomber indictment | Federal DOJ action after month delay | | 03:52 | National Parks pass “void if altered”| Trump’s face & sticker gag | | 05:40 | CDC vaccine rollback | Serious risk to public health | | 06:35 | Epstein files <1% release | DOJ’s stonewalling | | 07:37 | Jan 6 White House page | Propaganda, “big lie” redux | | 13:26 | Jan 6 site’s attacks on Pence | Repeating “no courage” rhetoric | | 15:05 | Venezuela oil scheme | Subsidizing oil corps, military ops | | 19:10 | Rep. LaMalfa death | House margins, impact | | 20:44 | WY Supreme Court abortion ruling | Legal win for reproductive rights |

Tone & Style

• Language: Direct, often profane, unapologetically progressive
• Mood: Equal parts frustrated, sarcastic, hopeful, action-oriented
• Noted Snark: “Fascist is the answer” (on Trump parks pass), “What a whiny little bastard,” etc.

Listener Engagement & Activism

• Good Trouble Segment:
  • With a razor-thin House, getting involved in local organizing, special elections, and grassroots efforts is key in 2026. Visit indivisible.org, nokings.org, and the 50:51 Movement for ways to take action.
• Good News & Pod Pet Tariffs:
  • Listeners share stories, activism, and adorable pet photos to close the show on a hopeful, community-driven note (not summarized here per instructions).

Conclusion

This episode captures the chaos and contradictions of early 2026 in U.S. politics: the Trump administration’s ongoing legal and culture-war offensives, progressive wins in unlikely places like Wyoming, and a right-wing intensification of anti-science and propaganda tactics. Gill and Goldberg offer listeners clarity, snark, and a call to action, holding space for both outrage and hope.

For more or to contribute your good news, visit: dailybeanspod.com/contact