The Daily Beans

Episode: “FU 2025” (feat. Adam Klasfeld)

Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Allison Gill
Co-host: Dana Goldberg
Guest: Adam Klasfeld (All Rise News)

Episode Overview

The first episode of the year centers on political turmoil and legal bombshells, especially the release of Jack Smith’s full testimony and new revelations in the high-profile Kilmar Abrego case. The hosts, Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg, dissect national political developments—from Trump’s controversial National Guard withdrawal, a Democratic landslide in Iowa, to the Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein files—and then dive deep with legal journalist Adam Klasfeld on abuses of prosecutorial power and questionable DOJ maneuvers in ongoing cases.

Tone: Fierce, sharp, sarcastic, and at times, marveling at the absurdity of current events, with a strong undercurrent of hope and activism.

Main Topics and Key Discussion Points

1. Jack Smith Testimony Released

• [02:02] Allison highlights the significance of the House Judiciary releasing the full transcript and video of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s closed-door testimony.
• Allison calls out Jim Jordan for being "scared shitless" to question Smith in public, noting Smith “handled that little man” (02:55).
• Listeners are pointed to the Beans Talk video podcast for highlights.

2. The Abrego Case & DOJ Misconduct

Interview Segment with Adam Klasfeld (19:50 – 52:50)

• Background: Kilmar Abrego’s criminal case, with the DOJ accused of vindictive prosecution after a traffic stop investigation was revived post-Supreme Court loss.
• Bombshell: Newly unsealed order reveals direct involvement of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office despite previous denials under oath.
• Key Quote [23:00] (Klasfeld):
  “The headline for me, Allison, and you saw it, it’s that bombshell email from Mr. Singh…calling the charging of Kilmarber Garcia a top priority.”
• Timeline details, case closure, and then re-opening after losing in courts; suggestion this was retaliation for Abrego’s legal victories pushing the DOJ to comply with court orders.
• [26:56] (Gill): “Once Abrego makes a prima facie showing of vindictiveness…the burden shifts to the government… the remedy is to dismiss the charges.”
• If DOJ can’t rebut presumption of vindictiveness, charges may be dismissed; possible sanctions then loom for DOJ misconduct.

3. Trump Withdraws National Guard — Obeying the Courts

• [03:50] Trump pulls National Guard from Chicago, L.A., and Portland after a Supreme Court order.
• Dana mocks the media:
  [03:58] “Congratulations, you’re following the law. You want a fucking cookie?”

4. Epstein Files Transparency — DOJ Delays & Political Fallout

• [12:51] DOJ delays release of vast majority of Epstein files, with only 1% released by deadline.
• [13:51] New files suggest Trump traveled on Epstein’s jet more often than previously known, but DOJ slow-walking release citing redactions for privacy.
• Bipartisan outrage and looming lawsuits anticipated.

5. Debunked Somali Daycare Scandal in Minnesota

• [06:01] Right-wing influencer Nick Shirley’s viral fraud accusations against Somali daycares debunked by CBS, despite CBS’s management shift to the right.
• DOJ under Biden had already investigated and prosecuted actual fraud, which turned out to be run by a white woman.
• [07:26] (Gill): “Stop it. Just stop it.”

6. Trump Vetoes Colorado Clean Water Bill

• [07:57] – [12:43] Trump vetoes a unanimously-passed bipartisan water project in Colorado as apparent retaliation against those holding his allies accountable.
• Outrage from both Democrats and Republicans, including Rep. Boebert (R-CO):
  • [10:12] Boebert:
    “President Trump decided to veto a completely non-controversial bipartisan bill... If this administration wants to make its legacy blocking projects that deliver water to rural Americans, that’s on them.”
• Democratic and GOP leaders decry move as a “revenge tour” and “partisan games”.

7. Democratic Victory in Iowa Special Election

• [14:44] Renee Hardman secures landmark Iowa Senate win by 43 points, denying Republicans a supermajority.
• First Black woman ever elected to Iowa’s Senate.
• [15:24] Hardman:
  “This race was never about me… it has nothing to do with my ability to lead the state of Maine."
• Democratic overperformance gives party renewed hope for 2026.

8. DOJ Handling of the Alleged January 6th Pipe Bomber (Brian Cole) Case

• [39:26] – [52:32] Gill & Klasfeld question unusual DOJ tactics trying for a local indictment in D.C. Superior Court instead of federal, possibly to bypass a grand jury that might not indict.
• Concerns DOJ is “hiding” the suspect’s MAGA motives and risking the case on a technicality.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump obeying the Supreme Court:
  “Congratulations, you’re following the law. You want a fucking cookie?”
  — Dana Goldberg [03:58]
• On Somali Daycare Fraud Claims:
  “Stop it. Just stop it.”
  — Allison Gill [07:26]
• On Clean Water Veto:
  "He’s just an idiot. Actually, that’s insulting to children."
  — Dana Goldberg [08:24]
• On DOJ Misconduct in Abrego Case:
  “The fact that they wanted to hide these communications is what led to this delay.”
  — Adam Klasfeld [22:04]
• On Political Courage:
  “What an incredible legal team this young man has. I’m so impressed by his standing up to this administration.”
  — Allison Gill [39:26]
• On Pipe Bomber Case:
  “You want there to be justice over a long unsolved act of, of a pipe bombing. It doesn’t get more serious than this… the fact that when this Department of Justice does something so unusual…”
  — Adam Klasfeld [44:39]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jack Smith Testimony & Reaction:
  [02:02] – [03:42]
• Trump Withdraws National Guard:
  [03:43] – [04:23]
• Epstein Files Delay & Susie Wiles Controversy:
  [04:50] – [06:49]
• CBS Debunks Somali Daycare Fraud:
  [06:01] – [07:57]
• Clean Water Bill Veto:
  [07:57] – [12:43]
• Epstein Files & DOJ Delay:
  [12:51] – [14:44]
• Iowa Special Election Democratic Win:
  [14:44] – [18:28]
• Adam Klasfeld Interview (Abrego case, DOJ, Pipe Bomber):
  [19:50] – [52:50]

The Good News Segment

• [54:00] – [73:22]
  The hosts share uplifting listener stories: small acts of kindness (like a stranger paying a vet bill), family accomplishments (expanding broadband to tribal communities), and fun discussions about pets. Shout-outs to listeners’ activism and resilience, and call for community solidarity as 2026 begins.

Closing Reflections

• The hosts express hope, grit, and call for unity and activism in a year promising to be “a fucking ride.”
  Dana Goldberg [73:10]:
  “Hold on to the people that you love. Keep this community close and just know we’re going to help you get through it. Happy New Year, everyone.”
• Allison promotes Dana's annual “breakup letter” to the old year—wry, cathartic, and on-brand.

Takeaways

• The episode fuses sharp political commentary with legal analysis, regularly circling back to calls for action, oversight, and community support in dark political times.
• Listeners are encouraged to stay vigilant, participate, and carry each other through uncertainty and conflict.
• “The Beans” community remains a space for both fierce truth-telling and mutual cheerleading.

Endnote: This summary excludes advertisements, generic intros/outros, and focuses centrally on substantive discussion and featured listener stories, preserving the podcast’s signature voice and high-energy wit.