The Daily Beans – Episode: National Embarrassment (feat. Evan Sutton; Jon Cryer) Release Date: March 26, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Daily Beans, hosted by Alison Gill and Dana Goldberg from MSW Media, listeners are taken through a whirlwind of political scandals, progressive activism, and inspiring interviews. From controversial executive orders and national security breaches to grassroots movements aiming to hold billionaires accountable, this episode is packed with insightful discussions and sharp commentary peppered with the hosts' signature snark.

Key Stories Overview

Alison Gill begins by outlining the main news headlines:

• A Venezuelan refugee was deported to El Salvador despite his legal status.
• President Trump signed an executive order poised to disrupt voter registration.
• Members of Congress are reacting to a security breach involving Signal Chat.
• Yemeni war plans have leaked, sparking intense scrutiny.

Signal Chat Controversy: A Breach in National Security

A significant portion of the episode delves into the contentious Senate Intelligence Committee hearing regarding the misuse of Signal, an encrypted messaging app, by top national security officials. The conversation centers around a group chat where sensitive discussions about airstrikes in Yemen were held.

Dana Goldberg introduces the topic:
"National security leaders use of signal to discuss plans for airstrikes in Yemen made for a contentious hearing Tuesday as Senate Intelligence Democrats excoriated the Trump administration..." [03:04]

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Mark Warner:
  "The unwillingness of the individuals on this panel who were on the chat to even apologize or acknowledge what a colossal screw up this is speaks volumes." [04:10]

• Alison Gill on Hearing Developments:
  "Both Gabbard and Ratcliffe repeatedly asserted the Signal group chat did not contain classified information." [05:43]

The hosts unpack the implications of adding journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to the chat, highlighting the breach of the Federal Records Act and the potential risks posed to national security.

Dana Goldberg sarcastically remarks: "This is a really setup that this has already been maybe broken into and that adding the journalists now at least we know how fucking sloppy they are over there." [10:15]

Deportation of a Venezuelan Refugee: A Legal Quagmire

The episode shifts focus to a tragic story reported by the Miami Herald about Em, a Venezuelan man granted refugee status in the U.S., who was deported to El Salvador despite having no criminal record. His deportation raises serious questions about the U.S. immigration policies and their execution.

Key Points:

• Em and his girlfriend fled Venezuela in 2021, seeking safety.
• Despite being a legal refugee, Em was deported to El Salvador on March 15, 2025.
• In El Salvador, Em was imprisoned in a maximum-security facility known for human rights violations.

Dana Goldberg reflects on the gravity of the situation: "Em spent the next couple of months in three different immigration detention centers in Texas. On March 15, the Trump administration deported him..." [12:26]

Trump's Executive Order: Disrupting Voter Registration

Alison Gill and Dana Goldberg discuss President Trump's newly signed executive order aimed at overhauling the American voter registration process. The order introduces stringent measures that could potentially disenfranchise millions of voters.

Notable Quotes:

• White House Staff Secretary, Will Scharf:
  "...the farthest reaching executive action taken in the nation's history." [18:44]

• Danielle Lang, Voting Rights Lawyer:
  "The US Constitution explicitly gives states and Congress the authority to set the rules for election and does not authorize the President to do so." [22:02]

The executive order mandates proof of citizenship, restricts mail-in ballots post-election day, and empowers federal agencies to penalize non-compliant states. The hosts highlight legal challenges looming over this order, emphasizing its potential to clash with established voting rights protections.

Good Trouble Segment: Tesla Takedown with Evan Sutton

In the "Good Trouble" segment, Alison Gill interviews Evan Sutton, a national volunteer for the Tesla Takedown movement. The initiative aims to reduce Tesla's stock value to pressure Elon Musk economically.

Key Highlights:

• Evan Sutton explains Tesla Takedown:
  "Our goal is simple. It's to drive down the share or the value of Tesla shares until it gets to a point where Elon has to really reconsider whether he wants to be mucking around in government." [24:43]

• The movement plans nationwide protests on March 29th at Tesla showrooms and Supercharger stations.

• Evan Sutton on Protest Growth:
  "We've just seen week over week over week growth. We've had more than 4,000 press hits around the country in the last five weeks..." [28:42]

The hosts commend the peaceful nature of the protests and the strategic targeting of Tesla as Elon Musk's primary asset.

Interview with Jon Cryer: 'The Man Who Calculated Death' Podcast

Alison Gill interviews Jon Cryer about his involvement in producing the award-winning limited series podcast, "The Man Who Calculated Death." The series explores Suzanne Rico's family history, delving into her grandfather's role as a Nazi scientist and the mysterious death of her grandmother.

Notable Quotes:

• Jon Cryer on Podcast Inspiration:
  "Suzanne for the last six years made the man who calculated death... she solves this 80-year-old family mystery." [36:02]

• Alison Gill on Timeliness:
  "We stand around and tell ourselves, if you ever wondered how Nazi Germany was able to take over... you're living through that right now here in the United States." [41:41]

Cryer draws parallels between historical authoritarianism and contemporary political climates, emphasizing the incremental nature of such power shifts.

Good News Segment: Listener Submissions

The episode concludes with uplifting stories and adorable pet photos from listeners. Highlights include:

• Hogan the Mastiff:
  Dana correctly identifies Hogan's breed as a St. Bernard mastiff, lovingly described as "the biggest cuddlebug ever." [53:07]

• Pure Beautiful Lux:
  A heartwarming tale of an adoptive cat named Pure Beautiful Lux, who serves as a vigilant guard despite her size. [56:10]

• Chaos Survival Kits:
  A listener shares how her church assembled survival kits for federal employees, blending care with a touch of humor. [57:38]

Alison encourages listeners to participate by submitting their own stories and photos, fostering a sense of community and shared positivity.

Closing Remarks

Alison Gill wraps up the episode with heartfelt messages, including a tribute from Dana Goldberg to her late father. The hosts remind listeners to engage in activism, take care of their wellbeing, and stay connected with their communities.

Final Quote:

• Alison Gill:
  "I've been AG and I've been DG and them's the beans." [59:06]

Conclusion

This episode of The Daily Beans offers a compelling mix of hard-hitting political analysis and uplifting community stories. With incisive discussions on national security lapses and voter rights threats, balanced by inspiring activism and heartwarming listener contributions, Alison Gill and Dana Goldberg deliver a comprehensive and engaging news experience tailored for the progressive listener.

For more information and to listen to the full episode, visit The Daily Beans.