The Daily Beans – "ICE Witness Standout" (Feat. Mark Pinsley)

Date: September 10, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill & Dana Goldberg
Featured Guest: Mark Pinsley (Democratic candidate for PA-7, Lehigh County Controller)

Episode Overview

In this packed episode, Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg deliver progressive political news, highlight emerging national trends, and close with a vibrant conversation with Mark Pinsley, who’s vying to flip Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The show centers on recent legal and political developments, local activism around immigration enforcement, and strategies for Democrats in competitive races. There's the signature Daily Beans mix of policy depth, humor, and personal anecdotes, always with a focus on actionable hope and empowerment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Major News Stories & Analysis

1. Michigan Fake Electors Case Dismissed

[02:00]

• A Michigan judge tossed out criminal charges against 15 fake electors accused of signing certificates falsely declaring Trump had won in 2020.
• Judge Kristen Simmons cited "lack of evidence" to prove intent.
  • Quote: “This is a fraud case and we have to prove intent... I don't believe there's evidence sufficient to prove intent.” – Judge Simmons [03:32]
• AG Dana Nessel (D) is considering an appeal:
  • Quote: "The evidence was clear. They lied. They knew they lied... and they tried to steal the votes of millions of Michiganders." – Nessel [04:15]
• Context shared on broader fake elector prosecutions in AZ, NV, GA.

2. Missouri Republicans Advance Anti-Democracy Measures

[04:39]

• The Missouri House approved proposals making it harder to amend the constitution via ballot initiatives and advancing a partisan redistricting map.

  • Quote: "You are taking power away from the citizens. You are diluting their votes." – Eric Woods (D) [05:19]

• Hosts denounce the effort as a classic GOP tactic to undermine popular democracy:

  • Quote: “If you want to have a ballot proposition to change the Constitution, you have to win a majority in every single county... it's gross.” – Allison [06:05/06:20]

3. NY Judge Blocks ICE at Rikers, Highlights Corruption Concerns

[06:20]

• Judge overturned NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ executive order allowing ICE offices in Rikers Island jail, citing illegal conflict-of-interest as Adams cooperated with the Trump DOJ in exchange for dropped charges.
  • Quote: "The judge ruled that the order... was barred by an impermissible appearance of a conflict of interest between Mr. Adams and President Trump." – Allison [06:48]
• Adams' timing labeled "weird." Council sued and won; further appeals are possible.

4. Hyundai Immigration Raid Backlash (Georgia/South Korea)

[07:45]

• Massive ICE raid on Hyundai battery factory under Trump admin upsets South Korean allies and jeopardizes US investment.
• Republican candidate Tory Moranham admitted to tipping off ICE, triggering the raid over alleged visa violations.
  • Quote: "We spend a lot of money in the United States and we get slapped in the face." – Choi Jong Kun, former S. Korean Vice Foreign Minister [08:40]
• The hosts bristle at the xenophobia and political showmanship underlying the incident.

5. Video: Rep. Tim Burchett Shoves Protester

[10:10]

• New video refutes GOP Rep. Burchett's claim that a protester provoked him — instead, Burchett taunted then shoved the protester.
  • Quote: "Come over here, you weenie." – Burchett [11:05]
  • "You just came to me, dodo brain." – Protester [11:13]
• Capitol Police let the protester go; hosts lampoon GOP emotional immaturity.

6. Trump Admin Returns Russian Dissidents to Moscow

[12:53]

• Russian asylum-seekers forcibly deported via roundabout routes; dissidents immediately detained on arrival.
  • Quote: "If you really need asylum ... we expected the United States to welcome us." – Sergei Vlavtsov (Russian Refugee Foundation) [13:55]
• The US is accused of betraying refugees under political pressure from Putin.

7. SCOTUS Fast-Tracks Trump's Global Tariffs Case

[15:51]

• Supreme Court agrees to expedite a case on the legality of Trump's sweeping global tariffs.
  • Quote: “It raises a fundamental question about the power of the president to levy tariffs, to levy taxes without Congress. It’s called taxation without representation. We threw tea in a harbor about it.” – Allison [16:18]
• Arguments scheduled for November.

8. New Mexico Launches Universal Child Care — A Progressive First

[17:02]

• NM to offer free child care statewide, becoming the first “universal child care” system in the US.
  • Quote: “This blueprint for early child care education in America is happening right here in New Mexico.” – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham [17:32]
• Program removes income thresholds, raises worker pay, and expands licensed childcare centers.
• Host reactions: Deep pride and proof of progressive governance’s long-term economic and social returns.

Activism & Community: ICE ‘Bearing Witness Standout’

[19:00]

• Allison spotlights a crowdsourced guide for organizing “bearing witness standouts” at ICE facilities.
• Goals: Offer hope to detainees, publicly chastise ICE cruelty, and build local solidarity.
  • Quote: “A primary goal is to offer hope to those detained… so they see they're not alone and that not everyone in America agrees with what ICE is doing.” – Allison, reading from the document [19:09]
• Listeners encouraged to consider local activism, link provided in show notes.

Flip It Blue Interview: Mark Pinsley (Democratic Candidate for PA-7)

[Rejoins at 22:45, Main Interview 23:04–41:07]

Background

• Currently Lehigh County Controller (not former!), running to flip PA-7 (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton).
• Described as a classic swing/purple district, trending blue, but recently flipped GOP with Ryan McKenzie’s election.

Strategic Insights

• Dems need to flip five seats to take back the House; PA-7 is one of the most flippable.
• Emphasis on historic Democratic gains in deep red special elections: “When we talk about how we only really need... a couple of seats to win. Focusing on districts like PA 7 is going to be critical.” – Allison [25:03]

Constituent Concerns

Key Issues: - Affordability: Housing, groceries, education costs top the list. - Quote: “Everything is about affordability… One of the things I talk about is, ‘tax wealth, not workers.’” – Mark [26:52–27:25] - Corporate Influence: The unchecked power of billionaires buying housing stock; supports policy to ban bulk home purchasing by corporations.

Union Support

• Strong pro-union stance, citing labor as the bulwark against corporate exploitation.
  • Quote: “It’s about power, not economics.” – Mark on unionization [28:50]

Experience as Controller

• Applies skills in rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse; discovered millions in cost savings:
  • Quote: “We spend about $30M on our employees… We found $3 million basically of grift. [This] makes it simple for me to be for Medicare for all… because I know how much waste is in the system and I can prove it.” – Mark [29:47–30:42]
• Called out ICE funding as wasteful overreach.

Fighting the MAGA Agenda

• Frustrated by Democratic “leadership” not using full power of the purse.
  • Quote: “Leadership has failed us... They haven’t been using the power of the purse.” – Mark [32:45]
• Advocates for accountability, targeted funding cuts (e.g., to Supreme Court, anti-vax agencies), and tactical budget brinkmanship against Republican obstruction.
  • “We need leadership that’s willing to [fight]; we just don’t have that at the moment.” – Mark [34:50]

Social Programs & Class Solidarity

• Personal story: Medicaid crucial for intellectually disabled family and 20,000 in Lehigh County.
  • Urges focus on policies pitting "bottom against top," not "left against right."
  • Quote: “I believe that this is class warfare, and I think that the rich are paying the Right to confuse the people... We have to teach people that that’s not true.” – Mark [38:08/38:59]

How to Get Involved:

• Website: votemarkpinsley.com
  • Donations, postcard campaigns, volunteering encouraged.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If you want to have a ballot proposition to change the Constitution, you have to win a majority in every single county... it's gross." – Allison [06:05/06:20]

• "Everything is about affordability... tax wealth, not workers." – Mark Pinsley [26:52, 27:25]

• “Come over here, you weenie.” – Rep. Burchett [11:05]

• "It makes me feel very depressed... if you really need asylum, if you really need a new place to live, we expected the United States to welcome us." – Sergei Vlavtsov [13:55]

• “It’s called taxation without representation. We threw tea in a harbor about it.” – Allison (re: Trump’s tariffs) [16:18]

• “We have to teach people that's not true. It’s not. They want to fight the culture war so they don't have to fight the class war.” – Mark Pinsley & Allison [38:59]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:00 – Headlines summary, panel intro
• 02:00–04:39 – Michigan fake electors decision
• 04:39–06:05 – Missouri voting and redistricting
• 06:20–07:45 – Rikers/ICE ruling
• 07:45–10:10 – Hyundai factory immigration raid
• 10:10–12:34 – Rep. Burchett shoves protester
• 12:53–15:51 – Russian dissident deportations
• 15:51–17:02 – Supreme Court/Trump tariffs
• 17:02–19:00 – New Mexico’s universal childcare
• 19:00–20:38 – Activism: ICE witness standout organizing
• 23:04–41:07 – Flip It Blue interview with Mark Pinsley

Listener Good News Highlights (First submission at 41:13)

• Bubbles as protest peace symbols; trash-picking activism; skydiving at 95; resilience after trauma; campaign sticker “sightings”; and more.

Episode Tone & Style

• Sharp, policy-driven, conversational, laced with witty banter ("Come over here, you weenie" / "It's like an Applebee’s… And I worked at Applebee’s for 11 years, so I know how bad it can be there." – Dana [12:41]).
• Consistent thread: Community activism and pragmatic hope in the face of national setbacks.

Closing Thoughts

In this rich episode, The Daily Beans brings listeners up to speed on mounting democracy-related legal contests, celebrates progressive legislative breakthroughs, and gives a blueprint for bottom-up engagement – from ICE facility standouts to targeted electoral volunteering. The Mark Pinsley interview stands out for its clarity on economics, union power, and creative ways to wield government spending–pairing technical competence with anti-fascist urgency.

Takeaways: Progressive change is possible; activism and elections matter; and joy (from bubbles to skydiving) is vital resistance.

For Mark Pinsley's campaign: votemarkpinsley.com
ICE Witness Standout Guide: Linked in show notes

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