The Daily Beans — "Postmarks"
Date: December 30, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill (A.G.) & Dana Goldberg
Episode Overview
This episode of The Daily Beans dives into the quickly evolving news cycle at the close of 2025, centering on threats to democracy, court rulings affecting civil rights, and postal policy changes with deep implications for future elections. Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg bring their signature blend of sharp analysis and humor, reflecting on a challenging year while highlighting stories of resistance, legal drama, and hope.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Pipe Bomber Case: Justice System Tricks and Delays
- Context: Brian Cole, the alleged January 6th pipe bomber, has yet to be indicted by a federal grand jury.
- Government’s Actions: The prosecution is pushing to detain Cole without an indictment, creating a 22-day gap in his whereabouts that's suspiciously unaccounted for. A.G. suspects they're downplaying his MAGA connections, potentially hindering their own case.
- Quote: "They're so desperately trying to hide the fact that this guy is MAGA and an election denier, that they're screwing up their own criminal case." – A.G. [03:46]
- Cole’s Legal Team: His lawyers insist on a probable cause hearing, refusing the government’s request to delay.
- Dana: "That's wild. And the lawyers are the ones that are like, nope, let's go, let's go." [04:50]
2. Trump vs. Marjorie Taylor Greene Over Epstein List
- Greene’s Threat: Greene threatens to disclose names of Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirators during a House meeting.
- Trump’s Reaction: Trump calls her, audibly yelling on speakerphone, warning: "My friends will get hurt," and rebukes her suggestion to honor victims at the White House.
- Quote: "He angrily informed her that they had done nothing to merit the honor. It would be the last conversation Greene and Trump would ever have." – Dana [06:09]
- Hosts’ Take: Both are scorned, but Dana clarifies, "Marjorie Taylor Greene is the lesser of two evils." [06:29]
3. USPS Postmark Rule Change Jeopardizes Mail-In Voting
- Policy Shift: USPS clarifies that postmarks now reflect processing date, not drop-off date.
- Implications: This change threatens ballot validity if processing is delayed and disproportionately impacts mail-in voters (notably overseas/military voters).
- Quote: "There could be so much fuckery here ... If you are able, more than ever, it is important that you go vote in person, if you are able." – Dana [07:40]
- A.G.: "This is really going to disenfranchise Democrats abroad ... the military." [08:49]
- Call to Action: Vote early, use official drop boxes, or vote in person if possible.
4. Tina Peters and the Limits of Trump’s Pardoning Power
- Case Recap: Tina Peters, former Mesa County clerk and election denier, asks the Colorado Appeals Court to recognize Trump’s presidential "pardon" for her state convictions.
- Legal Reality: Trump’s federal pardon power does not apply to state crimes; prior examples (Whiskey Rebellion) are not relevant here.
- Quote: "Trump's pardon power does not extend to state crimes." – A.G. [12:42]
- Petition’s Status: Denied at state level, possible Supreme Court challenge foreshadowed.
5. Russia-Ukraine Tensions and Trump’s Involvement
- Claims: Russia alleges a Ukrainian drone attack on Putin’s residence; promises retaliation.
- Trump’s Statements: Contradictory public remarks about the incident and the prospects for peace, asserting proximity to a peace deal despite “thorny issues.”
- Quote: "It's one thing to be offensive. He said it's another thing to attack his house. It's not the right time to do any of that. I guess there's a right time for Trump." – Dana [14:42]
- Analysis: Hosts are skeptical about both Russian and Trump narratives, framing this as potential political theater ("wag the dog").
6. Dismissal of Charges Against TikTok Streamer Shot by ICE
- Case Details: Carlitos Ricardo Parias, aka "Richard LA Online," had his federal indictment dismissed after being denied access to counsel and due to prosecutorial discovery failures, including bodycam delays.
- A.G.: "That's happening all over the place right now." [15:41]
- Pattern Identified: Consistent agency claims about suspects "weaponizing" vehicles, frequently proven untrue by video.
- Outcome: Indictment dismissed with prejudice; charges cannot be refiled.
7. 9th Circuit Blocks Forced Outing of Trans Students
- Background: Federal judge ruled schools could disclose trans students’ status to parents, overruling California law.
- Appellate Update: The 9th Circuit (all Democratic appointees) temporarily blocked the ruling, protecting status quo for trans students.
- Quote: "Judge Benitez’s dangerous ruling goes far beyond the Safety Act and broadly targets numerous California laws and protections for transgender and gender nonconforming students ..." – Equality California quoted by Dana [19:35]
- Psychological Impact: Forced outing increases mental health risks for LGBTQ youth.
- Dana: "Forced outing often leads to transgender youth being forced outside of their home or abused. This is all statistically proven." [21:38]
- Legal Caution: Relief may be temporary; Supreme Court intervention possible.
8. Listener Good News & Community Boosters
- Soap Artisan Triumph: Listener Lisa G. thanks the "beans" community for selling out her Courageous Soap small business after a mention on the show.
- Call to Action: Advocacy for continued funding of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), threatened by federal budget attacks.
- Trans Representation: Joanna Whaley running for Michigan House of Representatives, endorsed by Run for Something; listeners encouraged to support.
- Zoo Visit: Red panda photos from a listener’s Minnesota trip.
- Fun & Uplifting Submissions: Raccoon holiday decorations, wildlife sightings, baby pictures, and heartfelt shout-outs.
- Allison: "We need to microdose the hope." [22:36]
- Dana: "Our Leguminati always shows up whenever we talk about small businesses ... you all show up." [25:48]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Consuming the news, especially through independent media, as an act of resistance." – A.G. [02:01]
- "No apologizing for emotions. No apologizing for me being gone. No apology." – Dana [33:03]
- "Vote blue over Q because the primaries are coming." – A.G. [33:36]
- Running Joke: Ongoing playful ribbing about baby photos, with listeners submitting more to welcome Dana back from vacation.
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:00-03:46 — Pipe Bomber legal updates
- 05:17-06:29 — Trump-Greene-Epstein fallout
- 06:35-09:13 — Postmark rule change & mail-in voting risks
- 10:22-12:42 — Tina Peters, state vs federal pardons
- 12:42-14:49 — Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump’s interventions
- 14:49-18:03 — ICE shooting of TikTok streamer, case dismissal
- 18:03-21:51 — 9th Circuit blocks forced outing of trans students
- 22:21-33:43 — Listener good news, community activism, and uplifting stories
Language & Tone
- Sarcastic, direct, unapologetically progressive, supportive of activism and community.
- Occasional explicit language ("buttholes," "piece of shit," "fuckery") in keeping with the show's candid tone.
Summary
In this challenging close to 2025, The Daily Beans delivers timely legal and political updates: from courtroom drama hampered by political bias (pipe bomber/Brian Cole, Tina Peters) and the undermining of mail-in voting via postal rule changes, to momentous appellate motions protecting transgender youth in California. The hosts skewer Trump’s narratives and right-wing hypocrisy, urge early action for voters, and showcase grassroots resilience through listener contributions. The episode ends with gratitude for community activism and a call to stay hopeful and engaged for the battles ahead.
"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."
— Allison Gill [33:27]