The Daily Beans
Episode: Brand New Bagman (feat. Adam Klasfeld)
Date: September 22, 2025
Host(s): Alison Gill & Dana Goldberg
Special Guest: Adam Klasfeld (All Rise News)
Overview
This episode of The Daily Beans unpacks a whirlwind of political and legal news, with a focus on deepening corruption within the Trump administration, weaponization of the DOJ, anti-trans legislation, international responses to the Israel/Palestine conflict, RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel, governmental crackdowns, and a detailed interview with journalist Adam Klasfeld on the Kilmar Abrego case—a touchstone immigration case with national implications.
The hosts maintain their trademark snark and urgency, balancing crucial updates with sharp commentary and good news from listeners. Essential listen for anyone tracking the state of American democracy, law, and civil rights.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Corruption Scandal: Tom Homan and the “Bagman” Moment
[13:40]
- NBC Report: FBI undercover sting caught Trump’s former border czar Tom Homan accepting a $50,000 cash bribe in a paper bag for promises to help win government contracts in a second Trump administration.
- The probe began in 2024 after a separate subject claimed Homan was soliciting payments in exchange for future contracts.
- FBI and DOJ intended to see if Homan would deliver on promises after re-assuming official status, then the Trump DOJ shut down the case after the 2024 election.
- Quote [14:51 – Alison Gill]:
“I do have to kind of hand it to the Department of Justice under Biden there in 2024 ... for putting undercover FBI agents dressed up as businessmen ... except willing to accept bribes, to go to talk to Homan. ... And of course the Trump administration shut it down.”
2. Politicized Justice: Attorney Resignation and Indictment Pressure
[16:29]
- U.S. Attorney Eric Seibert resigns after refusing to prosecute NY AG Letitia James and former FBI director Jim Comey, under direct pressure from Trump.
- Trump replaced Seibert with insurance lawyer Lindsey Halligan, raising alarms about loyalty-based appointments.
- Social media “slip-ups” and possible intentional distractions used by Trump to shift focus from other scandals.
- Quote [18:43 – Dana Goldberg]:
“It's literally like the tapes from Watergate Being posted on social media. It's insane.”
3. DOJ & Judicial Failures:
[02:12]
- Multiple stories of DOJ failures to secure indictments or pursue corruption within its own ranks.
- Reference to a recent “Unjustified” episode (with Andy McCabe), where a border patrol agent was acquitted due to lying under oath.
- Quote [02:54 – Alison Gill]:
“The DOJ was my home for many, many years. And that home is on fire.”
4. Trump-Era Policies and Civil Liberties
[07:05]
- Trump administration pushes SCOTUS to revert to “birth sex” for passports, targeting protections for trans and non-binary people despite a federal judge’s injunction.
- Quote [08:07 – Alison Gill]:
“If my friend Madison goes to France with the X marker for non binary on [their passport] how are we endangering national security in the United States? I just don't fucking get it at all.”
[09:21]
- New $100,000 visa fee causes chaos for workers and families; administration later clarifies it applies only to new applicants, but panic and confusion already sown.
[10:04]
- Military “boat attacks” in the Caribbean spark legal questions—uniformed service members are seeking letters to avoid personal liability for possible illegal operations.
- Pentagon muzzles reporters with new constraints on sourcing and story authorization.
5. International Moves: Recognizing Palestine
[03:49]
- UK, Australia, and Canada recognize Palestinian state; Israel reacts with anger, reflecting growing international outrage at Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
6. RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Skeptics Panel
[05:44]
- RFK Jr.’s handpicked vaccine skeptics refuse to recommend standard MMRV vaccine for children under four, advising instead two separate vaccines.
- Panel members denounced as unqualified, pro-conspiracy.
7. Anti-LGBTQ+ Threats and Legislative Protection
[12:40]
- Phoenix man arrested after threats to shoot up a gay bar. Arrest documents detail his radicalization by right-wing narratives and martyr language referencing Charlie Kirk's killing.
- Story underscores real-world dangers of media narratives and is cited as fallout from irresponsible reporting.
[21:30]
- California passes SB497, barring law enforcement and health providers from releasing trans patients’ medical records to states that ban gender-affirming care, building on California’s “refuge” status for transgender people.
- Quote [22:43 – Dana Goldberg]:
“This is how it should be.”
8. Adam Klasfeld Interview: The Kilmar Abrego Case
[25:12]
- Klasfeld details the Kafkaesque journey of Kilmar Abrego, who was illegally deported to El Salvador, tortured, then brought back for a minor traffic charge to “cover tracks” and block judicial discovery into DOJ conduct.
- Legal issues on the table: selective and vindictive prosecution, denial of legal access, conflicting court orders, and government attempts to silence critics (gag orders).
- Abrego’s (and other immigrants’) fate may set precedent for future DOJ vindictiveness.
- Kristi Noem (DHS Secretary) accused of persistent online prejudicing of the case, compared unfavorably to how other politically adjacent accused (ex: Ghislaine Maxwell) are treated.
- Quote [34:00 – Adam Klasfeld]:
“It's innocent until proven guilty, not innocent until Kristi Noem declares you guilty.” - Government sought to pressure Abrego into a plea—"plead guilty, be deported to Costa Rica; plead not guilty, be deported to Uganda,” highlighting the coercive, punitive tactics.
- Discussion of systemic impact: Such selective prosecutions could chill legal advocacy for immigrants and entrench politicized, punitive deterrence.
Notable Quotes
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|-------| | 02:54 | Alison Gill | “The DOJ was my home for many, many years. And that home is on fire.” | | 08:07 | Alison Gill | “If my friend Madison goes to France with the X marker for non binary on [their passport] how are we endangering national security in the United States? I just don't fucking get it at all.” | | 18:43 | Dana Goldberg | “It's literally like the tapes from Watergate Being posted on social media. It's insane.” | | 34:00 | Adam Klasfeld | “It's innocent until proven guilty, not innocent until Kristi Noem declares you guilty.” | | 48:17 | Desiree McFarlane (summary) | “It would be like Jack Smith making a deal with Donald Trump to testify against Steve Bannon in the G6 assault on the Capitol.” | | 50:23 | Adam Klasfeld | “If there's any case for selective and vindictive prosecution, it's this one.” | | 22:43 | Dana Goldberg | “This is how it should be.” (re: California’s protective legislation for trans people) |
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00–03:17 – Headlines, rapid news overview
- 13:40–16:29 – Tom Homan cash bribe/Biden-vs-Trump DOJ, “Bagman” reference
- 16:29–19:07 – Attorney general resignations, direct presidential pressures, Lindsey Halligan appointment
- 21:30–22:43 – Arizona anti-LGBTQ+ attack, California gender-affirming care law
- 25:12–57:47 – In-depth: Adam Klasfeld interview on Abrego case and the DOJ’s coercion, gag orders, and prosecution strategies
- 62:36–74:00+ – Good News segment—Listener stories; pro-democracy actions; mutual support
Memorable Moments
- “There's a whole fucking podcast called Bagman. ... That's why it's called Bagman, because the money's in a bag. That is what Spiro Agnew had to resign over.” [18:43, Alison Gill]
- “Trump is selling visas.” [10:00, Alison Gill]
- “Disney's lost $4 billion in worth since this has happened.” [64:35, Dana Goldberg]
- Hosts’ extended riff on how reporting wrongly linking trans issues to violence directly inspires real-world hate-crimes and threats.
- Life imitating Watergate—on social media: Trump attempts to direct DOJ via TrueSocial post (meant as DM), raises questions of deliberate or incompetent self-exposure.
Tone and Style
- Energetic, skeptical, snarky, with clear feminist, progressive, and pro-democracy framing.
- Blend of straight news, sharp opinion, personal reflection, and direct appeals to activism/listener support.
- Frequent use of "good news" and community-driven hope as an antidote to challenging headlines.
For Listeners: Why This Matters
- The administration’s open corruption (bribery, prosecution-for-hire, vengeance against political enemies) marks a grave threat to rule of law.
- The Abrego case (and others like it) represent watershed moments for immigrant rights, due process, and prosecutorial ethics in an era of resurgent authoritarianism.
- State-level resistance remains a vital bulwark against federal overreach, especially for LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities.
- Journalists like Adam Klasfeld, supported by listener donations, provide the on-the-ground oversight necessary in a climate of press intimidation and government secrecy.
Support & Follow
-
Adam Klasfeld:
- Substack: All Rise News
- Social: BlueSky, other socials linked in show notes
-
Hosts:
Final Note
The episode is a powerful snapshot of America at a legal and cultural crossroads, equal parts alarming and motivating. The hosts encourage support for independent media and grassroots action at every level.
End of Summary