The Daily Beans – Episode Summary: 7,309 Votes (feat. Yasmin Raji)
Release Date: March 31, 2025
Host: Allison Gill
Guest: Yasmin Raji, Executive Director of Swing Left

Introduction

In this episode of The Daily Beans, host Allison Gill provides a comprehensive overview of the current political landscape as Wisconsin braces for a pivotal Supreme Court election. With numerous high-stakes legal battles unfolding, the podcast delves into critical issues ranging from Supreme Court elections to federal court rulings affecting major government agencies. The episode also features an insightful interview with Yasmin Raji from Swing Left, focusing on strategies to secure the House of Representatives in the upcoming 2026 elections.

Key News Highlights

1. Wisconsin Supreme Court Election

• Overview: Allison Gill emphasizes the significance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, which is poised to determine the ideological balance of the state's highest court.

• Legal Maneuvers:

  • Skadden Arps' Involvement: The law firm has provided $100 million in pro bono legal services to the Trump administration.
  • Alien Enemies Act Case: Plaintiffs have filed a motion for a preliminary injunction as Judge Boasberg considers contempt charges against the Trump administration for alleged violations of due process.

  Notable Quote:

  "We're hours away from the Wisconsin Supreme Court election... it's the very court that's hanging in the balance in this week's election." – Allison Gill [00:00]

2. Alien Enemies Act Case

• Details:

  • Judge Boasberg's Actions: Assessing whether the Trump administration defied orders to return Venezuelan deportees.
  • Plaintiffs' Argument: The deportations lack due process and violate multiple statutes, including the Alien Enemies Act, APA, and INA.
  • Exhibits Revelation: Evidence shows that ICE's classification criteria for deportees may be flawed, with tattoos used as identifiers being misattributed.

  Notable Quote:

  "If you rack up eight points, you're deportable to El Salvador without due process." – Discussion on ICE's points system [Various Timestamps]

3. Judge Amy Berman Jackson Blocks CFPB Dismantling

• Ruling: Federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Trump administration from dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

• Impact: The CFPB remains operational, safeguarding against predatory corporate practices until the case is resolved.

  Notable Quote:

  "Without a court order, President Trump's administration would move quickly to shut down the agency." – Allison Gill [Various Timestamps]

4. Retaliatory Actions Against Law Firms Linked to Mueller Probe

• Law Firms Affected: Jenner & Block, Wilmer Hale, and Perkins Coie.

• Judicial Response: Multiple federal judges have blocked executive orders targeting these firms, citing constitutional violations related to free speech and retaliation.

  Notable Quote:

  "Those directives... are likely unconstitutional because they retaliated against protected speech." – Judge John Bates [Specific Timestamps]

5. Trump Administration Cuts Child Labor Programs

• Action: The Department of Labor has terminated over 69 programs aimed at combating child labor and forced labor internationally, reallocating $500 million.

• Consequences: Programs in countries like Mexico, Southeast Asia, and Madagascar will cease, impacting efforts to enforce labor standards.

  Notable Quote:

  "Guys, this is literally the fucking plot of Zoolander." – Allison Gill [16:22]

6. Trump Wins on Appeals Court Regarding NLRB and MSPB

• Decision: A federal appeals court has reversed lower court rulings, allowing Trump to remove members of the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board.

• Future Actions: Plaintiffs Wilcox and Harris plan to seek an en banc reversal.

  Notable Quote:

  "The people elected the president to enforce the nation's laws and stay... control the executive branch." – Judge Justin Walker [Specific Timestamps]

7. Biden Administration Overhauls Health Agencies

• Actions:

  • Removal of Amy Berman Jackson: The top vaccine scientist at the FDA has been forced out.
  • Staff Cuts: The Office of Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS Policy faces layoffs, part of a broader plan to eliminate 20,000 HHS positions.

  Notable Quote:

  "He's taken action to make HHS more aligned with his priorities, even at the cost of public health." – Allison Gill [Various Timestamps]

8. Social Security Administration's Code Base Migration

• Project: Initiated by Elon Musk, the SSA plans to transition its systems from COBOL to modern languages like Java within a few months.

• Risks: Potential integrity issues could jeopardize millions of beneficiary payments.

  Notable Quote:

  "If you weren't worried about a whole bunch of people not getting benefits... that's what Dan Hahn says." – Allison Gill [Various Timestamps]

9. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Controversies

• Appointments: Hired his brother Phil and brought his wife to sensitive Pentagon meetings.

• Concerns: Unauthorized access to classified information during high-level discussions.

  Notable Quote:

  "Defense Secretary Hegseth... brought his wife to two meetings with foreign military counterparts where sensitive information was discussed." – Allison Gill [Various Timestamps]

10. Tesla Takedown Protests

• Event: Thousands participated in rallies opposing Elon Musk's efforts to reduce federal government staffing and budgets.

• Highlights: Organized by volunteers like Evan Sutton and Data Diva, these protests have gained significant traction on social media.

  Notable Quote:

  "Stop Elon and his musk rats. Tesla funds Fascists and muskrats are an invasive species." – Listener Submission [Various Timestamps]

Good Trouble Segment

Listener Engagement: The segment features listeners sharing their activism efforts, pet photos, and personal stories of engagement in political protests.

Highlighted Submissions:

• Derek: Celebrates increased Social Security benefits due to policy changes.
  Quote: "My wife's Social Security Check Just Got Bigger... thanks President Biden." [25:25]

• Jerome G.: Shouts out Deborah Dannenfeld and the Dancing Well Soldier Project, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of dance for veterans.
  Quote: "Dance events... the healing is real." [Multiple Timepoints]

• Anonymous Shoutouts: Various listeners share stories of family members participating in protests, emphasizing intergenerational involvement and the importance of community action.

Interview: Yasmin Raji of Swing Left

Focus: Strategies to secure the House of Representatives in the 2026 elections by flipping three key seats in Wisconsin.

Key Points Discussed:

• Swing Left's Mission: Directing resources to high-impact races to ensure Democratic majorities.

• Three to Win Campaign: A focused effort to change 7,309 votes to regain control of the House, deemed entirely achievable.

• Organizational Strategies: Emphasizing both digital and face-to-face engagement to combat voter suppression and foster community solidarity.

• Future Outlook: Planning for sustained efforts beyond the immediate elections, with hopes of building a robust, grassroots movement capable of resisting authoritarian shifts.

Notable Quotes:

"We just need to win three seats. That's 7,309 voters that we need to turn. That is completely winnable." – Yasmin Raji [44:14]

"Face to face engagement is going to be essential even to the online digital advocacy that we're going to do for the midterms." – Yasmin Raji [57:36]

"Any institution not explicitly anti Trump will eventually become useful to Trump." – Yasmin Raji [Various Timepoints]

Good News Segment

Highlighting Positive Stories:

• Social Security Increase: A listener shares joy over increased Social Security benefits for retirees, attributing it to policy changes.

• Community Initiatives: Shoutouts to organizations like Dancing Well Soldier Project, which utilize dance as a therapeutic tool for veterans.

• Youth Participation: Stories of children and families actively participating in protests, showcasing the next generation's commitment to activism.

Notable Moments:

• Photo Submissions: Listeners submit photos of their pets and community activities, adding a personal and uplifting touch to the show.

• Heartwarming Stories: Testimonials about overcoming voter suppression and maintaining hope despite political adversities.

Closing Remarks

Allison Gill wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to stay engaged, support each other, and continue taking action against authoritarian measures. She teases the next episode featuring a discussion with Andy McCabe on the unauthorized deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.

Final Quote:

"Please take care of yourselves, take care of each other, take care of the planet, take care of your mental health and take care of your family." – Allison Gill [Closing]

Conclusion

This episode of The Daily Beans offers an in-depth analysis of pressing legal and political issues, providing listeners with both information and actionable insights. The interview with Yasmin Raji underscores the importance of strategic political engagement, while the Good Trouble and Good News segments foster a sense of community and shared purpose among listeners.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• "We're hours away from the Wisconsin Supreme Court election..." [00:00]
• "If you rack up eight points, you're deportable to El Salvador without due process." [Various Timepoints]
• "Without a court order, President Trump's administration would move quickly to shut down the agency." [Various Timepoints]
• "Stop Elon and his musk rats. Tesla funds Fascists and muskrats are an invasive species." [Good News Segment]
• "We just need to win three seats. That's 7,309 voters that we need to turn. That is completely winnable." [44:14]
• "Please take care of yourselves, take care of each other..." [Closing]

This summary captures the essence and key discussions of Episode 7,309 Votes of The Daily Beans, ensuring that both regular listeners and newcomers can grasp the critical issues and ongoing efforts to influence the political climate in favor of progressive values.