Podcast Summary: Refried Beans | Carb Onesie (feat. Andrew McCabe) | January 30, 2023

Host: Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg
Guest: Andy McCabe, Former Acting FBI Director
Release Date: February 2, 2025
Podcast: The Daily Beans by MSW Media

1. Introduction and Overview [00:00 - 00:45]

Allison Gill welcomes listeners to the "Refried Beans" episode of The Daily Beans, highlighting the show's progressive stance and its focus on delivering social justice and political news with a touch of humor. The episode primarily delves into significant political and legal developments from January 31, 2023.

2. Manhattan DA's Grand Jury Impaneled to Indict Donald Trump [00:45 - 08:39]

Allison Gill announces that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has impaneled a special grand jury to investigate potential criminal charges against former President Donald Trump related to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.

• Key Points:

  • David Pecker's Involvement: David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, is a pivotal witness expected to testify about the hush money arrangement.
  • Legal Implications: The case may hinge on demonstrating that Trump and his organization falsified financial records to conceal these payments, which could constitute a low-level felony based on an untested legal theory.
  • Historical Context: This development marks a significant escalation in what is described as the longest-running criminal investigation into Trump, surpassing previous focuses on business practices like real estate valuation fraud.

• Notable Quote:

  Allison Gill [06:00]: "He wanted to hide that. Right, that. And that's a low level felony charge that would be based largely on untested legal theory."

3. Guilty Plea from a Mark Meadows Ally on Campaign Finance Charges [09:00 - 12:18]

Dana Goldberg discusses the recent guilty plea of Linda Bennett, an ally of former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Bennett admitted to accepting an illegal campaign contribution during her unsuccessful 2020 primary run for Congress.

• Key Points:

  • Nature of the Violation: The charge involves a technical violation of campaign finance laws, where Bennett accepted a family loan exceeding the permissible limit and used it improperly in her campaign finances.
  • Political Ramifications: This plea adds to the legal scrutiny surrounding Trump's associates and highlights ongoing investigations into Republican figures.

• Notable Quote:

  Dana Goldberg [09:00]: "It's just tech. It's just a technical crime."

4. House Republicans' Conflict with the Department of Justice Over Scott Perry's Phone [12:18 - 16:04]

Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg explore tensions between House Republicans and the Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning the seizure and examination of Representative Scott Perry's phone amid the Biden documents investigation.

• Key Points:

  • Court Proceedings: Chief Judge Beryl Howell initially ruled in favor of the DOJ's access to Perry's phone, a decision that has been temporarily stayed by the appellate panel pending further hearings.
  • Bipartisan Intervention: A unanimous vote from a bipartisan House panel, including leaders like McCarthy and Hakeem Jeffries, aims to protect Rep. Perry's phone from DOJ scrutiny.
  • DOJ's Stance: The DOJ maintains that releasing details about active investigations could jeopardize their integrity and lead to political interference.

• Notable Quote:

  Allison Gill [17:14]: "It's very, very normal, and we've seen it a million times for the appeals court to temporarily stay, administratively stay in order so that the defendant has a chance to file their case and prove their case."

5. DOJ's Refusal to Release Information on Biden's Classified Documents [16:04 - 20:07]

The hosts discuss the DOJ's decision to withhold confidential information related to investigations into President Joe Biden's classified documents found at his personal residences. This refusal is perceived as part of a broader pattern of resistance against congressional probes by the DOJ.

• Key Points:

  • DOJ's Justification: Assistant Attorney General Carlos Ernesto Uriarta cites concerns over compromising ongoing investigations and the appearance of political bias.
  • Legislative Pressure: Both House and Senate Republicans are intensifying their demands for access to these documents, amidst other investigations into Trump-related matters.
  • Historical Precedence: The DOJ references United States v. Nixon (1974) to justify the protection of sensitive investigative materials from public disclosure.

• Notable Quote:

  Dana Goldberg [16:33]: "Disclosures to Congress about active investigations risk jeopardizing those investigations and creating the appearance that Congress may be exerting improper political pressure or attempting to influence department decisions."

6. Interview with Andy McCabe on the Arrest of Charles McGonagall [20:07 - 39:18]

Allison Gill interviews Andy McCabe, former acting FBI director, regarding the unprecedented arrest of Charles McGonagall, the FBI's Special Agent in Charge of Counterintelligence, accused of collaborating with Russian spies.

• Key Points:

  • Allegations Against McGonagall: Charges include unauthorized interactions with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch, using his position to facilitate personal favors and conceal illicit payments through fraudulent means.
  • Impact on the FBI: McCabe expresses profound shock, highlighting McGonagall's previously unblemished reputation and expertise in counterintelligence. He underscores the potential implications for the FBI's internal integrity and ongoing counterintelligence operations.
  • Crossfire Hurricane Context: The discussion touches upon the now-defunct Crossfire Hurricane investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, with McCabe questioning McGonagall's possible involvement or influence during that period.

• Notable Quotes:

  Andy McCabe [22:38]: "He had an incredibly strong reputation in the Bureau, and particularly as a counterintelligence expert."

  Andy McCabe [25:06]: "I was completely floored, totally shocked."

  Andy McCabe [33:03]: "I can't discuss FBI non public information."

7. Concluding Remarks [39:18 - 50:12]

The episode transitions to lighter segments, including listener submissions and personal anecdotes. However, adhering to the request, these non-content sections are typically excluded from summaries focusing on key discussions and insights.

Conclusion

In this episode of The Daily Beans, Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg provide an in-depth analysis of significant legal and political developments involving high-profile Republican figures such as Donald Trump and Mark Meadows. The discussion also delves into inter-branch tensions between Congress and the DOJ, particularly concerning investigations into classified documents and representative Scott Perry's phone. The highlight of the episode is an exclusive interview with Andy McCabe, who sheds light on the alarming arrest of FBI agent Charles McGonagall, raising critical questions about internal FBI integrity and past investigations into Russian interference. Throughout the episode, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving legal landscape and its implications for American politics.