The Daily Beans – “Precisely What’s Forbidden”
Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill (AG) & Dana Goldberg (DG)
Podcast: The Daily Beans by MSW Media
Overview
This episode dives into a packed news day with rapid-fire coverage of major political, legal, and social stories. Stories include mounting legal pressure around Donald Trump, election developments, judicial pushback against anti-democracy maneuvers, breaking news on government misconduct, and community “Good News” moments. As always, the hosts combine in-depth progressive analysis with trademark humor and listener engagement.
Key Stories & Discussion Points
1. Arizona AG vs. Mike Johnson Over House Seat (11:23–15:43)
- Story: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes threatens legal action against Speaker Mike Johnson for stalling the swearing-in of Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva.
- Analysis:
- Mayes' letter frames the delay as unconstitutional, alleging it's being used as political leverage.
- Johnson's stalling tied to unrelated negotiations over government shutdown and Epstein files.
- Quote (AG, 13:55):
“That amounted to trying to use Arizona's constitutional right to representation in the House as a bargaining chip.”
- AG explains the legal process: legal letters are required prior to litigation (“do this now or we will bring litigation”), not just for courtesy but to meet legal standards.
2. Jack Smith’s Investigations & GOP Attacks (02:10–04:15)
- Story: Jack Smith, Special Counsel, is grilled in an Andrew Weissman interview about Trump investigations. Concurrently, Rep. Jim Jordan demands Smith testify on alleged “lawfare.”
- Insight:
- Republicans accuse Smith of political targeting.
- AG notes the timeline: Smith wasn’t involved in the Mar-a-Lago search warrant, emphasizing misinformation from Jordan.
- Quote (AG, 03:12):
“Jack Smith was not appointed until months after Merrick Garland initiated the search warrant at Mar-a-Lago... he was at the Hague trying a case—which is where Jim Jordan should be.”
3. Maine Senate Race: Janet Mills vs. Graham Platner (04:15–08:39)
- Story: Term-limited Governor Janet Mills enters the Senate race against Susan Collins, sparking debate.
- Co-hosts’ positions:
- DG likes “the oyster guy”—Graham Platner—as a fresh face.
- AG emphasizes the need for voters’ choice and disapproves of the DSCC supporting Mills in the primary.
- Quote (AG, 06:11):
“I would like the DSCC and DCCC to sit these primaries out and allow voters to decide unfettered, not put their thumb on the side.”
- Both hope for a civil primary and for unity against Collins.
4. Court Updates: Voter Suppression & Alex Jones (08:39–11:11)
- Stories:
- 3rd Circuit Court denies GOP attempt to suppress PA ballots.
- Supreme Court rejects Alex Jones’s appeal on his $1.5B Sandy Hook defamation judgment.
- Host Reactions:
- AG expresses satisfaction with courts holding the line on democracy and against misinformation.
5. Trump Administration’s Caribbean Boat Strikes (15:43–19:31)
- Story: U.S. military (under Trump) engaged in deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggler boats off Venezuela, escalating to extrajudicial killings.
- Analysis:
- Legal experts label these killings unlawful, citing lack of war context.
- Trump admin insists attacks are part of a “formal armed conflict” with gangs labeled terrorists.
- Quote (AG, 19:31):
“Without due process, it’s murder. It’s murder.”
- Context: Administration is accused of warping legal justifications, possibly via new DOJ/CIA legal memos, to permit covert lethal actions.
6. Federal Judge Rules Trump Defied FEMA Court Order (19:31–22:13)
- Story:
- Judge William Smith rules Trump’s DHS violated his order by reissuing nearly identical FEMA immigration funding restrictions—allegedly in bad faith.
- Host Commentary:
- AG and DG highlight the judge’s harsh rebuke and mock the administration’s “fig leaf” compliance tactics.
- Quote (Judge Smith, read by AG at 21:52):
“Defendant’s new is not a good faith effort to comply... It’s a ham-handed attempt to bully the states.”
7. Airports Reject Kristi Noem’s Shutdown Video (23:18–26:44)
- Story:
- Major U.S. airports refuse to play a DHS video featuring Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.
- Reasons:
- Content violates the Hatch Act and local statutes against political propaganda.
- Memorable Moment:
- DG, responding to Noem’s plea:
“Go fuck yourself.” (24:36)
- Hosts celebrate airports’ resistance as a sign of pushback against partisan overreach.
- Quote (Port of Portland spokesperson, read by DG at 25:18):
“We believe consenting to playing this video... would violate Oregon law. The Hatch Act... aims in part to ensure federal programs are nonpartisan.”
- DG, responding to Noem’s plea:
8. Obama Endorses Prop 50 in California (09:02–09:54)
- Story:
- Obama advocates for CA Prop 50, promoting independent redistricting and protecting democracy.
- Host Encouragement:
- AG and DG urge Californians to vote and not assume others will carry the burden.
- Quote (Obama, 09:31):
“With Prop 50, you can stop Republicans in their tracks.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- DSCC Primary Interference (06:11):
“I would like the DSCC and DCCC to sit these primaries out and allow voters to decide unfettered…” — AG
- Kristi Noem’s Airport Video Response (24:36):
“Go fuck yourself.” — DG
- On Legal Threats Before Litigation (15:23):
“It’s always better to write a letter and say, do this now or we will bring litigation... If you just sue immediately, they can file to dismiss...” — AG
- Extra-Judicial Killings in the Caribbean (19:31):
“Without due process, it’s murder. It’s murder.” — AG
Segments & Timestamps
| Segment/Story | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Episode Open & Story Rundown | 00:00–02:10 | | Jack Smith/Andrew Weissman/Jim Jordan | 02:10–04:15 | | Janet Mills Maine Senate Race Discussion | 04:15–08:39 | | 3rd Circuit PA Voter Suppression Ruling | 08:39–09:02 | | Obama Endorses CA Prop 50 | 09:02–09:54 | | SCOTUS Denies Alex Jones Appeal | 10:24–11:11 | | Arizona AG vs. Mike Johnson | 11:23–15:43 | | Trump Caribbean Boat Strikes | 15:43–19:31 | | Trump Defies FEMA Court Order | 19:31–22:13 | | Airports Reject DHS/Kristi Noem Video | 23:18–26:44 | | Hosts’ “Good Trouble” & Call to Action | 27:02–28:23 | | Listener Good News & Community Shout-Outs | 28:23–41:36 |
“Good News” & Listener Engagement (28:23–41:36)
- Listener Submissions: Clarification on Portland bike rides, uplifting animal pics, stories of service dog training, shout-outs for Down Syndrome advocacy, and moving personal tales.
- Host Gratitude: AG celebrates nearly 1M views on her video podcast, “The Breakdown.”
- Calls to Action: Host encourage listeners to check airport compliance, contact reps about disability education, and support local activism.
Tone & Style
- Language: Candid, often playful yet direct, maintains a progressive perspective. Mix of seriousness and humor (“pack her bags violently,” “go fuck yourself,” “inflatable frog orgy”).
- Engagement: Frequent calls for listener interaction, reading of submitted letters/pics, references to show in-jokes and community culture.
- Attitude: Strong advocacy for procedural fairness, anti-establishment leanings within the Democratic Party, and encouragement of civic participation.
Conclusion
“Precisely What’s Forbidden” delivers a comprehensive and irreverent survey of political and legal developments, with rich commentary and grassroots engagement. The episode is a compelling snapshot of both national crises (rule of law, basic rights, violent overreach) and community activism, all delivered through the Daily Beans’ signature blend of acerbic wit and optimism.
Listen If You Want:
- Nuanced, progressive takes on current events
- Legal and political analysis without euphemism
- Indigenous “snark,” humor, and intense listener involvement
For detailed links, shout-outs, and to submit your good news:
https://www.dailybeanspod.com, Click “Contact”