The Daily Beans: "Refried Beans | Crimes and Limes" (Feat. Malcolm Kenyatta)

Original Air Date: October 5, 2022
Summary Date: October 4, 2025
Hosts: Allison Gill (AG), Dana Goldberg (DG)
Special Guest: Malcolm Kenyatta
Theme: A snarky, in-depth look at major political news with an emphasis on social justice, hypocrisy in politics, and the enduring fight for accountability and progress.

Episode Overview

This vintage episode, re-aired in 2025 as part of the “Refried Beans” series, dives into political and legal upheaval from the same week in 2022. The hosts break down then-breaking scandals involving Donald Trump (Mar-a-Lago classified documents, Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy trial), Herschel Walker’s abortion scandal, and Ron Johnson’s January 6th entanglements. Additionally, Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta speaks on legislative action for suicide prevention, mental health, activism, and maintaining hope in tough political times.

Major News Stories & Insights

1. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Supreme Court Gambit

[04:00–09:25]

• Trump’s lawyers asked the Supreme Court to vacate the 11th Circuit's stay, seeking to let the Special Master review classified Mar-a-Lago documents.
• Legal expert Steve Vladek’s analysis was quoted at length, highlighting Trump’s narrow, technical argument—seen as largely futile and non-urgent.
  • Quote (AG, quoting Vladek, 06:45):
    “It’s not laughable, but only because it’s small.”
• Justice Clarence Thomas (11th Circuit’s assigned justice) gave DOJ a full week to respond, signaling the lack of real emergency.
  • Quote (AG, 09:38):
    “He’s given the DOJ until next week… that says to me, and it says to other experts that he doesn’t consider this an emergency either.”

2. Herschel Walker Abortion Scandal

[02:27–03:53]

• The Daily Beast revealed Christian conservative candidate Herschel Walker paid for an abortion in 2009, with copious receipts—including a check and a signed card.
  • Quote (AG, 03:03):
    “Now, he denies it all, but his son… went on a tirade… saying his dad lied and held a gun to his mom’s head… I’m tired of the hypocrisy.”
• Walker’s outspoken son, Christian, publicly accused Walker of hypocrisy and abuse.
• Consensus: The scandal likely won't sway committed Walker voters, but continues to expose Republican hypocrisy.

3. Oath Keepers Seditious Conspiracy Trial

[10:04–13:14]

• Secret recording played in court revealed explicit plans to bring weapons to DC and “await Trump’s orders,” with discussions of going “kinetic” if necessary.
  • Quote (Stuart Rhodes on tape, 11:35):
    “We’re not getting out of this without a fight. There’s going to be a fight… let’s do it while Trump is still commander in chief.”
  • “If the fight comes, let the fight come… I’m willing to sacrifice myself for that.”
• FBI’s mishandling highlighted—the tipster submitted the blockbuster recording in late 2020, but agents only followed up after Jan 6.
  • Quote (Dana Goldberg, 13:14):
    “What the fuck, Chris Ray?… The FBI never reached out. And it wasn’t until after the insurrection… like, oh, maybe we should have a listen.”

4. Trump Attorney Refuses False Certification to National Archives

[13:14–18:47]

• Trump pressured his attorney Alex Cannon to falsely certify that all Mar-a-Lago documents were returned. Cannon refused, suspecting otherwise.
• Trump’s hands-on role in packing boxes cited as damning, obstruction evidence.
  • Quote (AG, 15:03):
    “The only manual labor he did while in the White House for four fucking years… lifting some documents outside of a golf club.”
• Cannon’s ethical pause: “He could not tell the archives all the requested material had been returned… he was not sure.”

5. Ron Johnson's January 6 Texts and “Fake Electors” Ties

[18:47–22:38]

• Senator Johnson admitted to texting Trump’s lawyer about delivering materials to Mike Pence on Jan 6; previously claimed it lasted “two seconds”—now reveals about "an hour" of involvement.
  • Quote (Johnson, 19:43):
    “You can’t even call it participation. I wrote a couple texts.”
  • Quote (Dana Goldberg, 20:54):
    “To call what happened on January 6th an armed insurrection… I just think it’s inaccurate.”
• Johnson downplayed the insurrection and compared it to BLM protests; continues to face tough reelection.

Interview: Malcolm Kenyatta

[23:14–35:33]

Legislative Focus: Suicide Prevention and “Phillips Law”

• Kenyatta recounted the tragic suicide of “little Phil,” bullied for his identity and unable to access adequate mental health support at school.
  • Quote (Kenyatta, 23:38):
    “Phil was trying to get in touch with a mental health professional in his school and was not able to… he went home and died by suicide.”
• Legislative solution: Ensure at least one mental health professional in every school, expand training, pay, and accessible pathways for mental health careers.

The Fight Against Anti-Trans and Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws

• Kenyatta condemned political cruelty in targeting vulnerable kids, especially LGBTQ+ youth—linking rhetoric to real-life harm.
  • Quote (Kenyatta, 25:42):
    “These anti-trans bills… and these comments from people from DeSantis to Abbott… have real impacts, particularly on young people.”

Activism and Curing “Burnout”

• “Rest is resistance”—burnout is real, but hope and courage are renewable. Even small acts—like registering one voter—can tip an election.
  • Quote (Kenyatta, 29:34):
    “Hope and courage are renewable resources… There had to be a lot of other straws that didn’t get stories written about them, right?”
  • Quote (AG, 30:51):
    “You loosen the pickle jar. Help loosen the pickle jar. That’s all you gotta do.”
• Encouraged listeners to leverage their own spheres of influence; one voter can make a difference (“I ended up winning that ward by one vote”—Kenyatta, 33:38).

Listener Good News and Community Segment

[35:40–44:51] A classic “Good News” grab bag—listeners share pet pics, uplifting personal stories, and calls for activism.

Standout Moments:

• Listener Scott’s “Crimes and Limes” photo:
  • “The power of mojitos” and the pride of children growing up to be a nurse and a music teacher.
• Foster dog Dolly, available in the Pacific Northwest from “Underdogs Rock.”
• Listener Jody’s son, 9-year neuroblastoma survivor, thriving in Kentucky—call to support progressive candidate Charles Booker.
• Tender, snarky banter throughout:
  • (AG, 35:52): “Who likes good news?”
  • (DG, 44:55): “Yep, yep. Because then it’s Thursday and then it’s almost Friday. And really everyone who lives in California knows that Thursday is Friday, basically.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s motion being a non-emergency:

  • (AG, quoting Vladek, 06:45):
    “It’s not laughable, but only because it’s small.”

• On FBI inaction:

  • (Dana Goldberg, 13:14):
    “What the fuck, Chris Ray?... The FBI never reached out. And it wasn’t until after the insurrection…”

• On political hope:

  • (Malcolm Kenyatta, 29:34):
    “Hope and courage are renewable resources.”

• On small acts mattering:

  • (Kenyatta, 33:38):
    “I ended up winning that ward on election night by one vote.”

• On Democratic humility vs. MAGA hubris:

  • (AG, 34:08):
    “If it didn’t [count], the opposing side wouldn’t be spending billions of dollars to try to convince you that your vote didn’t count.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & News Lineup: 00:45–01:30
• Herschel Walker Scandal: 02:27–03:53
• Trump’s Emergency SCOTUS Filing: 04:00–09:25
• Oath Keepers Trial & FBI Critique: 10:04–13:14
• Trump Attorney Archive Refusal: 13:14–18:47
• Ron Johnson’s Expanding Involvement: 18:47–22:38
• Malcolm Kenyatta Interview: 23:14–35:33
• Listener Good News Segment: 35:40–44:51
• Outro & Final Thoughts: 44:51–45:15

Tone & Style

The episode is fast-moving, sharp, and witty—with AG and Dana mixing legal acumen with irreverent comedy and empathetic activism. Guest Malcolm Kenyatta brings passion, vulnerability, and strategy to fighting for marginalized communities and sustaining hope.

For New Listeners

This installment is quintessential “Daily Beans”:

• Fierce, funny, and substantive progressive political commentary
• Insider legal analysis for major justice developments
• Unflinching coverage of GOP hypocrisy and corruption
• Uplifting moments and genuine calls for community action
• Guest voices with lived experience and actionable inspiration

Summary by The Daily Beans: Where news, justice, and social action meet—always with a side of snark and hope.