The Daily Beans – "Generational Shift" (feat. Howard Rosenblum)

Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg
Guest: Howard Rosenblum (candidate, IL-9)

Episode Overview

This episode covers a whirlwind of breaking political and legal news amid a tense period in US governance. Allison and Dana provide snarky yet incisive commentary on Trump administration overreach, the fight for transparency in the Epstein case, legal setbacks to militarized law enforcement, and a seismic shift in congressional leadership as Rep. Jerry Nadler steps down. The highlight is a substantive interview with Howard Rosenblum, a pioneering deaf attorney running for Congress in Illinois’s 9th District, focused on bringing marginalized voices into the legislative process.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News and Top Stories

• Epstein Files and Survivors' Press Conference

  • Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein to speak at a 10:30am ET press conference.
  • Rep. Thomas Massie initiates a bill to force a House vote on releasing Epstein files. If 218 signatures are gathered, a full House vote could occur in about two weeks.
    • Quote: “Rep. Massie filed a discharge petition Tuesday to basically force a floor vote... The final vote could be in, like, in two weeks.” (04:42)

• Federal Law Enforcement in D.C.

  • D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signs an executive order allowing federal law enforcement presence indefinitely, in coordination with President Trump’s initiatives.
  • Financial leverage cited: a prior Congressional continuing resolution defunded D.C. by $1.1B; Bowser’s options were constrained.
  • Quote: “She may not have a choice here. Trump kind of has his boot on her neck in this situation.” (07:05)

• Court Rulings on Use of Military in Law Enforcement

  • Federal judge Charles Breyer rules that Trump and Defense Secretary Kegseth violated the Posse Comitatus Act by deploying U.S. military for law enforcement in Los Angeles.
    • Quote (Judge Breyer): “…Defendants systematically used armed soldiers, whose identity was often obscured by protective armor and military vehicles… In short, defendants violated the Posse Comitatus Act.” (09:19)
  • Mandate is paused until Friday to allow for administration appeal.

• Immigration Crackdown – Military Lawyers as Judges

  • Trump administration changes rules to allow up to 600 military lawyers to serve as temporary immigration judges, further militarizing immigration courts.
  • Raises serious questions about legal qualifications, judicial independence, and “loyalty tests.”
    • Quote: “I guarantee there is going to be a loyalty test to see who will actually carry out their plans. Those are the 600 people that are going to be made judges...” (12:36)

• Climate Report ‘Full of Errors and Full of Shit’

  • Over 85 scientists rebuke the Department of Energy’s latest climate report, which downplays climate change and touts potential benefits of rising CO2, labeling the report as misleading and ideologically driven.
    • Quote: “That should just be a headline, ‘full of errors and full of shit’.” (13:16)

• CDC Leadership Turmoil Under RFK Jr.

  • Nine former CDC directors harshly criticize Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. for “endangering every American’s health” by ousting CDC Director Susan Minarez and undermining public health infrastructure.
    • Quote (Nine former directors): “What Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has done to the CDC and to our nation’s public health system… is unlike anything we had ever seen at the agency and unlike anything our country has ever experienced.” (15:24)

• Jerry Nadler Not Seeking Reelection: A Generational Shift

  • After 34 years, liberal stalwart Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) announces his retirement, explicitly calling for generational change.
    • Quote (Nadler): “There are older people in Congress that are doing a hell of a job. There are also some older people in Congress that should have retired. That goes for probably almost every single career in the world.” (20:13)

2. Good Trouble: Calls for Action

[22:18]

• Allison urges listeners (if they agree) to call Democratic senators and demand they refuse to fund the government unless key issues—like D.C. self-governance and election protection—are addressed:
  • Quote: “Put up a fight. Don’t vote for cloture in the Senate... this government is broken.” (22:20)

3. Feature Interview: Howard Rosenblum – Generational Leadership for IL-9

[25:53–36:13]

Background

• Howard Rosenblum:
  • Civil rights attorney (33 years), 13 years as CEO of the National Association of the Deaf.
  • First deaf candidate running for Illinois’s 9th Congressional District.
  • Appointed by President Obama (U.S. Access Board) and Gov. Pritzker (IL Human Rights Commission).

Key Interview Highlights

• Why He’s Running:

  • “In my 33 years, I’ve seen civil rights expand and then, in the last eight months, roll back. I want to move the battle from the courtroom to Congress.” (27:25)
  • Represents all marginalized groups: “I want to represent the voice of people who have been traditionally marginalized… deaf, disabled, from other countries, religions, races, LGBTQ—all of us need protection now.” (29:01)

• Strategy Against Trump Era Policy:

  • “Congress has the power… But with a blue wave in 2026, we’ll see at least one chamber in control… and that will give us more ability to provide pressure to the White House and defend and react to their actions." (31:01)
  • Use of hearings, investigations, legal coordination.

• District-Focused Platform:

  • Priorities: living wage jobs, affordable housing, healthcare for all, and “safety from the federal government itself… The federal government right now is the danger.” (32:50)

• Representation & Accessibility:

  • “If I am elected, I will be the first ever deaf person in any legislation in the United States.” (35:59)
  • Emphasizes the importance of diverse disability representation in Congress.

• Campaign Info:

  • Website: HowardRosenblum.com
  • “I know how to beat Trump at his own game. My skill set is highly regarded… and I’m ready to go to bat for everyone.” (34:30)

4. Good News Segment

[36:26+]

• Heartwarming listener submissions about the value of government programs (VA, Head Start, Social Security, SNAP, Medicaid), the impact of community events, and joy found in lived experience and resilience.
• Notable highlight: A listener recounts their experience at Camp Lost Boys, a camp for trans men, embracing community and identity.
  • Quote: “186 trans guys in community playing like the boys many of us never got to be in our youth.” (43:33)
• Listeners share pet photos and personal milestones, fostering a sense of communal support and gratitude.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the D.C. Occupation:
“She may not have a choice here. Trump kind of has his boot on her neck in this situation.” – Allison Gill [07:05]

On Trump’s Military Overreach:
“In short, defendants violated the Posse Comitatus Act.” – Judge Charles Breyer [09:19]

On RFK Jr.'s Leadership:
“What the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has done to the CDC... is unlike anything we had ever seen at the agency.” – Former CDC Directors [15:24]

On Nadler’s Departure:
“There are older people in Congress that are doing a hell of a job. There are also some older people in Congress that should have retired. That goes for probably almost every single career in the world.” – Rep. Jerry Nadler [20:13]

On a Generational Shift:
“The reason why is me too. ... He’s heeding a call, though, for the generational change roiling his party. ... The reason is most people are like, I’m gonna spend more time with my family. This guy’s like, we’re too old.” – Dana Goldberg [19:58]

Howard Rosenblum’s Mission:
“I’ve already litigated many corporations... I’ve even sued President Trump himself. And won. I know how to play the game. And I want to try that at the legislative level rather than in the courts.” – Howard Rosenblum [29:01]

On Marginalized Communities’ Rights:
“All of us need protection now. And I feel I have that experience.” – Howard Rosenblum [29:32]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–01:18: Headlines overview
• 02:28–07:25: D.C. occupation, Epstein files, Congressional procedures
• 07:26–15:23: Legal news: LA National Guard, military lawyers as judges, climate report, CDC upheaval
• 18:39–21:16: Jerry Nadler’s retirement and congressional generational change
• 22:18–22:54: “Good trouble” – calls to action for listeners
• 25:53–36:13: Interview with Howard Rosenblum, candidate for IL-9
• 36:26–50:06: Good news and listener stories

Tone & Style

• Signature "just the right amount of snark" throughout, particularly in asides about Trump and his coterie.
• Sympathy and encouragement for progressive activism and marginalized groups.
• Thoughtful, energetic, and personal in both analysis and listener segments.

Final Thoughts

• The episode is a rallying cry for persistent, vigilant resistance to authoritarian creep, a celebration of intergenerational activism, and a showcase for inclusive leadership.
• Listeners are reminded of the power of representative government, the continued struggle for civil rights, and the strength found in solidarity—both in politics and daily life.
• The closing dedicates support to the survivors of Epstein, wishing them strength as they tell their stories. “All the strength and power from my soul to the Epstein survivors...” – Allison Gill [50:30]

Resource Links

• Howard Rosenblum’s campaign site
• Daily Beans Submit Good News

Note: Ads, intros, and outros are omitted for focus on substantive content.