The Daily Beans – "Donald Protects [Redacted]" (feat. Ammar Campa-Najjar)

Date: September 8, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill, Dana Goldberg
Guest: Ammar Campa-Najjar
Podcast: The Daily Beans by MSW Media

Overview

In this densely packed episode, Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg break down a tumultuous week in America’s political and social landscape. Major topics include the Justice Department shielding associates of Jeffrey Epstein, Trump’s chilling assertions on military power, historic ICE raids and anti-immigrant crackdowns, ongoing media self-censorship in the Trump era, electoral news, and a feature interview with California congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar. As always, the show leavens its sharp, progressive reporting with humor, personal anecdotes, and “Flip It Blue” activism.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. DOJ Secrecy on Epstein Associates

[06:58-09:29]

• Justice Dept. asked a court to keep secret the names of two Epstein associates who received six-figure payments in 2018, allegedly to “honor their privacy.”
• Payments included $100,000 and $250,000 to "potential co-conspirators" protected by Epstein’s controversial non-prosecution agreement.
• Quote:

  “They deserve their privacy. The two, you know, co-conspirating sex traffickers.”
  — Allison Gill [08:20]

• The non-prosecution agreement was originally authored by Alan Dershowitz and connected to Alex Acosta, former Trump Labor Secretary.

2. Military Bases Used as Immigration Raid Hubs

[09:29-11:16]

• Pentagon approved use of Naval Station Great Lakes (Chicago) as a staging ground for ICE operations—a massive, highly visible military asset now tied to Trump’s anti-immigrant crackdown.
• If Trump deploys National Guard troops (without federalizing), they may not be allowed to leave the base due to legal constraints.
• Quote:

  “To have it be used as a...stage for this authoritarian bullshit, takeover and ethnic cleansing of brown people in the United States is fucking disgusting.”
  — Allison Gill [11:16]

3. ICE Raids and Florida Camps

[12:09-12:53]

• Largest single site ICE raid in U.S. history: 475 South Korean nationals detained in Georgia, placed in leg irons and chains—underscoring harsh, public displays of anti-immigrant enforcement.
• Federal appeals court allowed Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” concentration camp to remain operational as legal challenges continue. Environmental concerns and lack of procedural transparency are noted.

4. Protecting TPS Immigrants

[13:02-14:13]

• A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than a million Haitians and Venezuelans, castigating Secretary Kristi Noem for “arbitrary and capricious” actions.
• Quote:

  “He said Noem's actions were arbitrary and capricious and she exceeded her authority.”
  — Allison Gill [13:50]

5. Trump Claims Power to Summarily Kill

[14:13-17:30]

• Trump openly claimed power to have the U.S. military summarily kill suspected drug smugglers at sea, without due process—a move with “no clear legal precedent or basis,” blurring lines between policing and wartime rules.
• Quote:

  “You can't just fucking pick depending on if you want to kill these people without, you know, with impunity.”
  — Dana Goldberg [15:28]

• Hosts argue this is pretext for broader abuses and possibly for labeling criminal cases as “national security threats” to invoke wartime laws.

6. U.S. Media and Free Speech Erosion

[18:02-21:55]

• CBS News cedes editorial control of “Face the Nation” interviews to appease Trump officials, vowing not to edit taped interviews—even when guests make false statements.
  • Risks amplifying propaganda and undermines moderator Margaret Brennan’s authority.
  • Variety report and hosts’ commentary highlight the chilling effect on accountability.
• U.S. Tennis Association instructed broadcasters to censor any negative crowd reaction (boos) toward Trump at the U.S. Open, drawing parallels to state censorship abroad.
  • Quote:

    “This is North Korea shit.”
    — Dana Goldberg [20:37]

7. Political News Blips

[23:06-25:24]

• Announcement: Texas Democrat James Talarico to launch Senate bid; he’s credited as a progressive, rising star, facing GOP incumbent John Cornyn.
• Preview clip of Talarico’s campaign stump speech included:

  “Imagine a Democratic Party that takes on big money... that delivers for people on housing, health care, education, and actually defeats the right wing extremists who have taken over this country.”
  — James Talarico [24:06]

Featured Interview: Flip It Blue – Ammar Campa-Najjar (CA-48)

[29:20-48:34]

Allison Gill spotlights Ammar Campa-Najjar’s campaign to unseat Darrell Issa, the wealthiest member of Congress. The discussion covers:

On Immigration & ICE Raids:

• Ammar’s stance unchanged since 2018, but the atmosphere is worse: militarization of cities, ICE raids on institutions, due process abuses.
  • Quote:

    “We’re seeing major cities become militarized, and both of us having served in the military ... this is not what we sign up for.”
    — Ammar Campa-Najjar [30:41]

• Urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform, legal pathways, due process, and ending political exploitation of immigration issues.

On Healthcare:

• Opposes planned Medicaid cuts, supports expanding Medicare, negotiating drug prices, and seeking universal coverage through incremental measures.
  • Quote:

    “We’re the richest country in the world with the highest cost of healthcare, and we need to be able to rein in those excesses.”
    — Ammar Campa-Najjar [34:16]

On Affordability and Jobs:

• Advocates for apprenticeship programs, strong unions, job creation, updated federal funding formulas, and collaboration with local officials for affordable housing.

On LGBTQ+ Support:

• Strong support for the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans individuals; calls out both parties for failures, condemns Republicans for scapegoating and bullying.
  • Quote:

    “There’s intrinsic value to every single human being. I thought that’s what conservatives believed, right? Oh, no. Just before you’re born.”
    — Allison Gill & Campa-Najjar exchange [44:14]

On Political Corruption:

• Pledges to fight dark money, overturn Citizens United, and champion transparency.

Campaign Support:

• Encourages grassroots, small-dollar donations and activism (amarforcongress.com).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I’m not going to pay a glam tax” — Allison Gill jokes on refusing makeup for new video podcast. [04:13]
• “We need a ‘that dude’ segment. Just, ‘this is that dude.’” — The hosts riff on chronic bad actors in current events. [06:37]
• “To have it be used as a...stage for this authoritarian bullshit, takeover and ethnic cleansing of brown people…” — Allison Gill on Great Lakes Naval Station repurposed for ICE. [11:16]
• “CBS News is giving up... the power it has to hold ‘Face the Nation’ interviews to account... If you can't edit, these people can say whatever the fuck they want.” — Dana Goldberg [18:02-19:56]
• “I hope that you all watched it. It was a great US Open. But Alcaraz did win... [Trump] looked really disappointed that the Brown kid won. I’m not gonna lie.” — Dana Goldberg [21:08-21:27]

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–06:56 | Banter, event recaps, announcements, intro | | 06:58–09:29 | Epstein associate secrecy (DOJ court filing) | | 09:29–11:16 | Great Lakes Navy base for ICE, military use, context | | 12:09–12:53 | ICE raids and Alligator Alcatraz update | | 13:02–14:13 | Ruling upholding TPS for Haitians and Venezuelans | | 14:13–17:30 | Trump’s claim to military summary executions | | 18:02–19:56 | CBS censors Face the Nation, implications | | 20:24–21:55 | U.S. Tennis Association tries to censor crowd reaction | | 23:06–25:24 | Texas Democrat James Talarico’s Senate run, campaign themes | | 29:20–48:34 | Flip It Blue Interview: Ammar Campa-Najjar | | 49:15–63:33 | Listener good news and activism, shout-outs, pod pet photos |

Tone & Style

• Sharp, witty, and irreverent: The hosts combine pointed political critique with sardonic humor, frank language, and personal perspective.
• Engaged and activist-oriented: Listeners are encouraged to act, donate, protest, and submit stories.
• Inclusive and community-focused: Regular shout-outs to grassroots donors, nonprofits, and listeners’ life updates.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode demonstrates why The Daily Beans has become a staple for progressive listeners: cogent analysis, activism, humor, and a refusal to look away from grim news, leavened with hope and community. Critical listening highlights include the detailed interview with Ammar Campa-Najjar ([29:20–48:34]) and the discussions on the real-time erosion of civil liberties, media ethics, and immigration rights.

For further activism, listener stories, and a parade of adorable pod pets, don’t miss the Good News segment starting at [49:15].