The Daily Beans – "ICEBlock Update" (feat. Joshua Aaron)

Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Allison Gill (MSW Media)
Guest: Joshua Aaron (Developer of the ICE Block app)
Theme: Progressive news roundup with a focus on escalating federal action under the Trump administration, government overreach, media suppression, and the removal of the ICE Block app.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the federal government’s use of force in Portland, legal and ethical abuses in Trump’s administration, and the suppression of dissent, particularly through technology. The show features an in-depth interview with Joshua Aaron, developer of the ICE Block app, which was recently removed from the Apple and Google App Stores following government pressure.

A mix of urgent reporting and pointed commentary, the episode sheds light on civil liberties under threat, transparency issues, targeted media manipulation, the chilling of protest tools, and corrupt power maneuvers in US politics.

Major Headlines & Key Discussion Points

1. Federal Overreach and Civil Liberties (00:00–22:00)

• Portland Protests and National Guard Blocked (00:59)

  • Judge Karen Immergut (Trump appointee) blocked the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard to Portland.
    • Judge’s quote: “This historical tradition boils down to a simple proposition. This is a nation of constitutional law, not martial law.” [02:08]
  • Trump responds with confusion and criticism of his own appointee, leading to further legal standoffs.
  • Gavin Newsom announces plans to sue after Trump orders 300 California National Guard troops to Oregon despite the federal court's block, calling it a “breathtaking abuse of the law and power.” [04:45]

• Escalations at ICE Facilities (05:30)

  • Right-wing agitators, like Nick Sorter, are arrested in Portland after inciting fights outside ICE facilities. DOJ (under Pam Bondi) investigates the local police rather than the instigators.
  • Fabricated justifications for National Guard deployment are suggested.

• Media Suppression and Deportation of Journalists (07:40)

  • Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning journalist, deported to El Salvador despite legal residency and pending green card application. His deportation followed after dropped misdemeanor charges; his asylum appeal was administratively closed years ago.
  • The host frames the event as targeting journalists for their work.

• Violent Federal Policing in Chicago (09:40)

  • Federal agent shoots and wounds a woman during an encounter; details from DHS are unverified, suggesting a pattern of federal narrative control.
  • Governor Pritzker highlights that, “ICE puts out a press release before anybody else can speak with the press... They’re just putting out their propaganda.” [12:40]

• ICE Misconduct in Chicago Suburbs (14:00)

  • Local police accuse ICE agents of making false 911 calls and draining local resources, underscoring escalating federal-local tensions.
  • CBS News photographers and journalists have been targeted and attacked with chemical agents at ICE centers.

2. Abuses of Power and Retaliation (17:00–27:00)

• "Self-Deportation" Incentives for Migrant Youth (17:00)

  • DHS plan to offer $2,500 to unaccompanied minors, incentivizing their departure.
  • Host underscores the lack of due process protections for these children and government deception in communications with courts.

• Manipulation of Official Communications (20:00)

  • Department of Education employees’ out-of-office emails altered without permission to blame shutdown on Democrats, despite Republican control.
  • Civil servants, fearing reprisals, provide evidence to NBC.

• Retaliatory Actions Against Dissenters (21:45)

  • An FBI agent fired for refusing to participate in a high-profile "perp walk" of Jim Comey—a departure from DOJ norms. [21:45]
  • Multiple journalists in Alaska resign after corporate owners, bowing to Republican pressure, edit and suppress coverage of slain right-wing figure Charlie Kirk.

3. Human Rights Violations and Corruption (23:15–26:00)

• Greta Thunberg Detained in Israel (23:15)

  • Allegations of inhumane treatment, including forced photographs and humiliation.
  • Host shares direct quotations from activists and embassy reports.

• Casey DeSantis Nonprofit under Criminal Probe (24:29)

  • Subpoenas and grand jury convened in Florida over alleged misuse of Medicaid settlement funds funneled to anti-marijuana political action.

• Megachurch Pastor Abuse Scandal (25:50)

  • Pastor Robert Morris pleads guilty to sexually abusing a minor. Given only a six-month jail sentence despite five felonies.
  • Host: “So I guess you only have to do six months in jail when you sexually assault children. Okay.” [27:28]

Interview: Joshua Aaron on ICE Block App Takedown (30:03–46:48)

Segment Overview

Allison Gill interviews Joshua Aaron, the developer of ICE Block—a popular app alerting users to ICE activity. The app’s removal from Apple (and subsequently Google) Stores follows alleged pressure from Pam Bondi and high-level DOJ intervention.

Key Points

• Apple’s Explanation and Government Pressure (31:00)

  • Apple claims the app violated rules by “targeting law enforcement” after law enforcement flagged it—though the guide in question is typically to prevent hate speech.
  • Joshua Aaron: “This was Pam Bondi or whoever at the DOJ… called Tim Cook or somebody high up at Apple and said, ‘We want this taken down.’ That’s the reality.” [31:15]
  • Apple’s Maps and other traffic-alert apps allow reports of police presence, yet are not targeted.

• Misrepresentation & Political Targeting (34:21)

  • Aaron clarifies ICE Block didn’t have doxxing features; it functioned anonymously and only shared general locations.
  • Host and guest discuss how officials inflated "assaults on ICE officers" statistics to justify action.

• No Appeals, No Transparency (36:50)

  • There’s no real appeals process at Apple for app removal in these circumstances.
  • Aaron: “They don’t care. And I’ll tell you what really pisses me off… their legal department [previously] thoroughly vetted this… Nothing has changed in the app.” [37:46]

• Google Follows Suit (38:50)

  • Without formal DOJ contact, Google removed the app as well.

• Risks for Users & Civil Liberties (39:23)

  • Joshua previously chose not to launch on Android for privacy reasons; he feared user info might be subject to government subpoena.

• Legal Recourse (41:16)

  • Allison raises First Amendment challenge possibilities, noting any legal discovery would expose Apple/DOJ communications.
  • Joshua: “I have an absolutely incredible legal team behind me… their minds are going a mile a minute. We’ve already had very serious meetings about how to move forward.” [42:00]

• Retaliation & Targeting of Family (42:54)

  • Aaron’s wife lost her DOJ position after being targeted by Laura Loomer and Tom Homan.
  • “It's obvious to me that this is, dare I say, witch hunt.” [43:48]
  • Joshua: “She is one of the most brilliant forensic accountants in the game... she’s back in private practice now.” [44:10]

• Community Support and Next Steps (44:49)

  • Aaron thanks listeners for support and suggestions, discusses technological challenges for alternative platforms, and pledges ongoing resistance: “I am going to continue to fight this. I am not going to give up. I am with you. I think about you every single moment of the day and how I can possibly help.” [44:49]
  • He’s exploring web and PWA solutions, but faces technical and trust hurdles at the scale ICE Block operated.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is a nation of constitutional law, not martial law.” – Judge Karen Immergut [02:08]
• “The Trump administration is unapologetically attacking the rule of law… ignoring court orders and treating judges as political opponents.” – Gavin Newsom [04:45]
• “ICE puts out a press release before anybody else can speak with the press… They’re just putting out their propaganda.” – Gov. Pritzker [12:40]
• “This was Pam Bondi or whoever at the DOJ… called Tim Cook or somebody high up at Apple and said, ‘We want this taken down.’ That’s the reality.” – Joshua Aaron [31:15]
• “They don’t care. And I’ll tell you what really pisses me off… their legal department [previously] thoroughly vetted this… Nothing has changed in the app.” – Joshua Aaron [37:46]
• “It's obvious to me that this is, dare I say, witch hunt.” – Allison Gill [43:48]
• “I am going to continue to fight this. I am not going to give up. I am with you. I think about you every single moment of the day and how I can possibly help.” – Joshua Aaron [44:49]

Major Segments & Timestamps

• 00:00–04:35: Major headlines, Portland protests, judge blocks National Guard deployment
• 05:30–17:00: ICE and DOJ misconduct, press suppression, shooting in Chicago, false 911 calls, journalist deportation
• 17:00–21:45: Self-deportation incentives, shutdown email manipulation
• 21:45–27:28: FBI agent fired over refusal to conduct Comey perp walk, Alaska journalists quit, Greta Thunberg’s detention
• 27:28–30:03: Megachurch sex abuse plea, DeSantis foundation subpoenas, transition to interview
• 30:03–46:48: Interview – Joshua Aaron on ICE Block app removal, legal & ethical discussion, retaliation, next steps
• 48:30–55:21: Listener-submitted Good News (skipped per guidelines)

Tone & Style

The episode is marked by urgent, sometimes irreverent commentary. Allison Gill blends reporting with strong progressive critique, laced with frustration and dark humor at federal abuses and the suppression of dissenting voices.

Joshua Aaron’s interview features both technical explanations and emotional candor, with the conversation underscoring the personal and systemic risks faced by those who challenge government overreach or develop tools for resistance.

Conclusion

This packed episode documents a rapid escalation of federal actions undermining local authority, civil rights, press freedom, and protest infrastructure. The host and guest analyze the chilling effect of the ICE Block app takedown, exposing how political motives can permeate even tech platforms and how dissent is systematically stifled under the Trump administration.

The episode closes with a promise of continued legal and technical resistance and gratitude for community support.

For those concerned with freedom of speech, digital privacy, and resisting authoritarian instincts in government, this episode is an essential, sobering, and energizing listen.