The Daily Beans: People Who Eat Food – April 21, 2025

Hosted by MSW Media, “The Daily Beans” is a women-owned and operated progressive news podcast, perfect for your morning commute. Featuring the Webby award-winning host Allison Gill and comedian/fundraiser/activist Dana Goldberg, the show delivers social justice and political news with a healthy dose of snark.

Top Stories of the Day

1. Supreme Court Blocks Deportation of Venezuelan Nationals

In a significant legal decision, the Supreme Court has temporarily halted the Trump administration's efforts to deport another group of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador.

Alison Gill [00:00]: “Today, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from flying another group of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador.”

This ruling comes amidst a maneuveur by the Trump administration to reroute Venezuelan nationals from the Southern to the Northern District of Texas, likely due to a temporary restraining order in the former. Lawyer interventions, including emergency hearings with Judge Boberg and appeals to higher courts, ultimately led to the Supreme Court’s intervention.

Dana Goldberg [06:18]: "And, in the middle of the fucking night, the Supreme Court blocked the flights from leaving the Northern District."

Alison emphasizes the Supreme Court’s authority and hints at internal distrust towards Trump’s DOJ lawyers:

Alison Gill [06:17]: “The High Court no longer trusts what Trump’s DOJ lawyers are saying in court.”

The hosts indicate further analysis will be available in the upcoming “Unjustified” podcast.

2. Senator Van Hollen’s Meeting with Abraco Garcia

Senator Van Hollen successfully met with Abraco Garcia during his visit to El Salvador, despite initial resistance from President Bukele.

Dana Goldberg [07:20]: “We do know with everything you know, people, what do you think is the answer? We do now have proof that this man is still alive...”

Alison and Dana discuss the implications of Garcia’s relocation to a lower security prison and the conflicting reports from Trump’s DOJ regarding his whereabouts. They highlight the success of diplomatic efforts in ensuring Garcia’s continued detention, stressing the need to prevent further disappearances.

3. D.C. Faces Budget Crisis Amidst Continuing Resolution

A continuing resolution passed by 10 Senate Democrats introduced a $1.1 billion cut to D.C.’s funding for education, police, and other services.

Alison Gill [08:22]: “D.C. can no longer wait to plan for the possibility of drastic cuts...”

Despite Senate efforts to amend the resolution, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has ordered hiring freezes, furloughs, and facility closures due to legislative inaction.

Dana Goldberg [09:35]: “Sometimes there's some balls dropped on Schumer's end as of late.”

4. FDA Plans to End Routine Food Safety Inspections

The Food and Drug Administration is set to cease most routine food safety inspections, outsourcing oversight to state and local authorities.

Dana Goldberg [10:13]: “A lot of people are going to get sick is what's going to happen.”

Alison criticizes the move as a cost-cutting measure that undermines federal expertise:

Alison Gill [11:10]: “Privatization. All right, next up...”

5. NIH Purge Targets Women and Minorities

An alarming analysis reveals that 38 out of 43 experts removed from NIH science and research boards last month are female, Black, or Hispanic.

Dana Goldberg [12:16]: “Reverse racism is not a thing. That's a PSA.”

Alison condemns the trend as “white-ification” of federal institutions, disguising segregation as reverse DEI.

6. U.S. Citizen Held by ICE Under Florida’s Anti-Immigration Law

Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Georgia, is detained by ICE under Florida’s stringent immigration laws despite presenting a valid U.S. birth certificate.

Dana Goldberg [13:00]: “This person was born in the United States.”

Alison highlights the misuse of the legal system to target U.S. citizens unlawfully:

Alison Gill [13:01]: “They’re coming in and waving their supremacy clause around.”

7. Trump Administration Continues IRS Leadership Turmoil

President Trump has replaced the acting Commissioner of the IRS for the third time in a week, citing internal conflicts between Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Elon Musk.

Alison Gill [16:27]: “Replacing Gary Shapley.”

Dana notes the instability, referencing the previous Commissioner’s testimony related to Hunter Biden:

Dana Goldberg [16:36]: “They did him a favor. And look what they did to him.”

8. Marco Rubio Admits Administration’s Limitations in Ukraine

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. will abandon efforts to end the war in Ukraine if meaningful progress isn’t made imminently.

Dana Goldberg [18:09]: “We all know how this is going to end up.”

Alison views this as a continuation of ineffective policies:

Alison Gill [18:11]: “Of course. It was always going to be this way.”

9. Harvard University Defends Against Trump Administration’s Unauthorized Demands

Harvard received an unauthorized letter from the Trump administration’s Task Force on Anti-Semitism with extensive demands on hiring and admissions.

Alison Gill [20:53]: “It's just a mistake. We're super sorry.”

The administration quickly retracted the letter, admitting it was sent without authorization, highlighting Harvard’s stance against political interference.

10. Arizona Governor Vetoes Anti-ICE Cooperation Bill

Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a Republican-backed bill that would have mandated Arizona’s local law enforcement to assist ICE in immigration enforcement.

Dana Goldberg [21:16]: “I give you a shout out for your excellent work.”

Alison praises the veto as a stand against federal overreach:

Alison Gill [22:37]: “I don’t know that the Supreme Court would agree with that.”

11. Social Security Administration Corrects Death File Errors

Immigrants falsely labeled as deceased by the Social Security Administration are actively seeking reinstatement by presenting proof of life at SSA field offices.

Alison Gill [14:15]: “They’re alive.”

The hosts criticize the Republican-era policies that led to these errors, emphasizing the bureaucratic hurdles immigrants face.

12. Legal Victory for Non-Binary Passport Holders

A federal judge partially blocked the Trump administration’s policy removal of the non-binary gender option on passports, siding with the American Civil Liberties Union.

Dana Goldberg [23:36]: “One sided with the American Civil Liberties Union.”

Alison underscores the potential for this ruling to set a favorable precedent for future lawsuits:

Alison Gill [24:37]: “Hopefully eventually they just like this whole fucking thing is unconstitutional.”

13. Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds 400-Year School Funding Plan

Governor Tony Evers successfully extended an education funding increase four centuries longer than initially intended, with the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling in his favor.

Dana Goldberg [25:47]: “That’s why the Supreme Court election mattered.”

Alison notes the court’s liberal majority effectively supported the governor against the conservative dissent.

14. Charges Filed Against Men Who Assaulted Dr. Teresa Baron Pole

In Idaho, six men previously charged for forcibly removing Dr. Teresa Baron Pole from a town hall have now been officially charged, marking a significant victory for justice.

Dana Goldberg [27:40]: “Which is why the Supreme Court election mattered.”

Alison commends the legal actions taken to hold the assailants accountable:

Alison Gill [28:08]: “I'm very glad to see all of these get charged.”

Good News Segment

Despite the tumultuous news landscape, “The Daily Beans” celebrates moments of positivity through listener submissions.

1. Batgirl’s Shout-Out to Her Partner

Batgirl shares a heartfelt message about her partner Ed, an Indian-British individual supporting her work as a bat biologist. She highlights their joint efforts in combating funding cuts in wildlife conservation and applauds their resilience.

Dana Goldberg [32:10]: “That’s amazing.”

2. Deb’s Adoption of a New Puppy

Deb expresses gratitude towards her sister Diana and introduces Bryce, a newly adopted puppy that has brought immense joy to her life.

Dana Goldberg [34:23]: “She'll never have to open a Microsoft Office email.”

3. Max’s Environmental Advocacy

Max contributes by sharing a picture of a giant frog from Berlin, symbolizing his commitment to environmental causes. He commends the podcast for reducing his anxiety and influencing his political activism.

Dana Goldberg [36:47]: “This frog's getting something for sure.”

4. Bri’s Environmental Alert on Water Definition

Bri informs listeners about the EPA and Department of the Army’s proposal to redefine “water” under the Clean Water Act, potentially stripping essential protections from wetlands and flood-prone areas.

Dana Goldberg [38:13]: “We're about to find out.”

Alison urges listeners to participate by submitting comments to ensure comprehensive environmental protections.

5. Maggie’s Protest Participation

Maggie recounts her experiences protesting in New York, highlighting high turnout in small towns and praising local activist groups for their effective organization and impact.

Dana Goldberg [42:25]: “The EPA and the Department of the Army are currently exploring changing the definition of water...”

Conclusion

Alison Gill and Dana Goldberg wrap up the episode by reiterating the importance of community engagement, activism, and maintaining hope amidst challenging times. They encourage listeners to continue sending in their good news, supporting each other, and staying informed.

Alison Gill [44:27]: “Take care of yourselves, take care of each other, take care of the planet, take care of your mental health and take care of your family.”

The hosts sign off with gratitude towards their audience and a reminder of next episode’s content.

Notable Quotes:

• Alison Gill [00:00]: “Today, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from flying another group of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador.”

• Dana Goldberg [06:18]: "Miraculously, in the middle of the fucking night, the Supreme Court blocked the flights from leaving the Northern District...”

• Dana Goldberg [10:13]: “A lot of people are going to get sick is what's going to happen.”

• Dana Goldberg [12:16]: “Reverse racism is not a thing. That's a PSA.”

• Alison Gill [16:27]: “Replacing Gary Shapley.”

• Dana Goldberg [23:36]: “One sided with the American Civil Liberties Union.”

• Alison Gill [28:08]: “I'm very glad to see all of these get charged.”

Final Thoughts:

“The Daily Beans” successfully navigates a complex array of political and social issues, balancing serious discourse with moments of levity and community spirit. Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg provide thoughtful analysis, sharp critiques, and uplifting narratives, making the podcast a valuable resource for progressive listeners seeking informed and engaging content.