The Daily Beans: "Murder Is Murder"
Date: December 9, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill & Dana Goldberg
Episode Overview
On this episode, Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg break down a turbulent news day through their signature blend of sharp political analysis and snark. The main focus centers on the legality and morality of recent U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats, the Supreme Court’s looming threat to federal agency independence, and Republican Party infighting around Donald Trump. Alongside hot political takes, the hosts share community good news and listener stories, offering both insight and catharsis.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Event Announcements & Philanthropy ([01:28])
- The hosts discuss their participation in the Stonewall Inn Initiative’s Brick Awards in NYC, spotlighting LGBTQ+ safe spaces and fundraising.
- Allison will join Dana on stage to present a donation for the cause, highlighting their commitment to nonprofits supporting minorities and those impacted by ICE detention.
2. Trump Administration Personnel Rumors ([02:45])
- Kristi Noem is reportedly being ousted for not building "concentration camps" fast enough, with Glenn Youngkin rumored to replace her.
- Allison: “Looks like she didn’t kill enough puppies. Kristi Noem is on the chopping block.” ([02:45])
- Stephen Miller is cited as the voice behind the "not enough camps" rationale.
- The hosts mock the “short king” obsession of some would-be Trump appointees, referencing pop culture and dystopian films depicting corrupt, power-hungry officials.
3. Comey Email Investigation & DOJ Embarrassment ([04:45])
- Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly blocked the DOJ’s access to Comey emails, criticizing the repeated lack of warrants as a violation of Fourth Amendment rights.
- Allison: “It’s just really, really embarrassing for this Department of Justice, which I love.” ([05:39])
4. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s “Rebranding” & Republican Grievances ([05:44])
- MTG claims on 60 Minutes that many Republicans privately hate Trump, but refuses to name them:
- Quote: “They all started, excuse my language, Leslie, kissing his ass.” ([06:17])
- Hosts point out the ongoing attempts to fracture MAGA and rebrand as "America First"—but with ominous, white nationalist overtones.
- Allison: “So they’re just going with the full-on Nazi KKK phrase.” ([07:03])
5. Supreme Court & Federal Agency Independence ([07:36])
- The Supreme Court is considering dismantling "for cause" protections for members of independent federal agencies, potentially turbocharging presidential power (unitary executive theory).
- Key Quotes:
- Don Moynihan: “Their desired goal would be to arrive at a completely at-will workforce.” ([08:24])
- Max Steyer: “One hopes that they recognize that whatever interest they've had in theory—in practice, they're unleashing an autocracy.” ([09:45])
- Key Quotes:
- Hosts expect the Court to greenlight firing agency board members (FTC, NLRB, etc.), but to protect the Fed board’s independence.
6. U.S. Military Boat Strikes: Breaking Down the Legality and Morality
Segment Start: [11:48]
6.1. Details of the Boat Strike Incident
- The "double tap" strike targeted a drug boat not bound for the U.S., contrary to administration claims.
- Dana: “The alleged drug traffickers killed…were headed to link up with another vessel bound for Suriname…” ([12:10])
- Trump’s narrative that the boat was “headed to the United States” is debunked.
- The eleven people killed were allegedly on a U.S. internal "kill list,” a fact just revealed in congressional briefings.
6.2. Legal and Ethical Breakdown ([15:21])
- Allison, referencing a Just Security article and legal experts, details why these extrajudicial strikes are illegal:
- Not part of any recognized armed conflict—thus, traditional domestic and international law applies.
- Killing shipwrecked survivors is also considered a manifestly unlawful order.
- Allison: “It’s murder. We’re not at war. We’re not in an international conflict…All 21 strikes…have been unlawful.” ([17:29])
- Commanders may try to use DOJ and Office of Legal Counsel memos to claim orders were legal—a defense that has shielded officials in past controversies.
- Refusal to follow unlawful orders is mandated, but only if unlawfulness is “manifest.”
6.3. Conclusion & Accountability
- The legal duty to rescue shipwrecked survivors was disregarded.
- Without armed conflict, these killings are both extrajudicial killings (international law) and plain murder (U.S. law).
7. Trump’s Pardon Pressure Campaign ([22:39])
- Trump pardoned Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar and wife, then publicly fumed when Cuellar refused to switch parties.
- Trump: “Next time, no more Mr. Nice Guy.” ([24:13])
- Cuellar responds with Texas-style shade: “I’m going to pray for the President.” ([24:24])
- The hosts note how Trump expects absolute loyalty and party switching as payment for pardons.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Republican rebranding:
- Allison: “They’re just going with the full-on Nazi KKK phrase.” ([07:03])
- On extrajudicial killings:
- Allison: “It’s murder. We’re not at war…All 21 strikes…have been unlawful.” ([17:29])
- On DOJ missteps in the Comey investigation:
- Allison: “It’s just really, really embarrassing for this Department of Justice, which I love.” ([05:39])
- On Henry Cuellar’s pardon/lack of party switch:
- Dana, paraphrasing Trump: “He’s racist like I am. Oh, but oh, shit. He’s still not a Republican.” ([23:32])
- Marjorie Taylor Greene's hypocrisy:
- Allison: “She’ll stand up in Congress and go, fuck you, pussy face. I don’t understand her.” ([06:22])
Key Timestamps
- 00:23-03:18: Awards, fundraising, and Stonewall Inn update
- 02:45-04:44: Trumpworld personnel rumors; dystopian film parallels
- 04:45-05:44: Comey email investigation trounces DOJ
- 05:44-07:17: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s 60 Minutes quote and GOP rifts
- 07:36-11:48: The Supreme Court’s threat to agency independence
- 11:48-22:39: The “double tap” boat strike—legality, cover-ups, and expert legal commentary
- 22:39-24:24: Trump’s anger at Cuellar for not flipping to the GOP
- 27:00 onward: Listener-submitted good news and community shout-outs
Listener Good News & Community Reflections
- Celebrations of activism (e.g., Claire Reynolds running for Congress in a red Texas district; [31:53])
- Stories about supportive relationships, pets, and personal feats in craft and animal rescue
- Reminders to send in good news, jokes, and shoutouts to dailybeanspod.com
Tone & Language
The episode, true to The Daily Beans style, is fast-paced, witty, and deeply irreverent. The hosts blend earnest legal and ethical discussion with humor and cynicism, rarely shying away from explicit language or biting analogies to frame the state of U.S. politics and justice. Their coverage is progressive, justice-oriented, and unafraid of directly confronting right-wing figures and authoritarian tendencies—while punctuating heavy segments with personal stories and light listener mail.
For those who missed it:
This episode is an incisive, often darkly funny overview of the day’s events with clarity on critical legal, political, and ethical issues—from Supreme Court power grabs to extrajudicial killings—plus a solid helping of community solidarity and hope.