The Daily Beans – “Refried Beans | Crimes On Crimes (feat. Ali Velshi)”

Original Air Date: September 28, 2023
Hosts: Allison Gill (AG) and Dana Goldberg
Special Guest: Ali Velshi (MSNBC Anchor, Host of Velshi Band Book Club)
Podcast Theme: Sharp, progressive news and social justice, delivered with humor and snark

Episode Overview

This “Refried Beans” episode takes a look back at the major political scandals and justice-related news of late September 2023, blending insightful commentary, humor, and a special interview with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi. The hosts dive into Trump legal updates, political corruption, threats to democracy, and the critical role of media—while also closing the show with listener-submitted “good news.” The tone is conversational yet impassioned, maintaining the trademark snark and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Legal and Political Updates (00:45–16:31)

Judge Tanya Chutkan Denies Trump Recusal Motion (00:45)

• AG shares: Judge Chutkan’s detailed 20-page ruling rejecting Trump’s demand for her recusal in his federal case.
• Quote: “It’s a brilliant piece of legal writing. You should read it.” — AG

43-Count Indictment Against Omar Navarro (03:19)

• Navarro (perennial Republican congressional candidate) charged with misappropriating campaign funds, involving his mother and a friend in funneling campaign donations back to himself.
• Humorous moment: “He got his mom arrested.” — AG
• Used shell companies and a sham charity to launder campaign cash.
• Faces up to 25 years in prison.

Details:

• Navarro, Abel (friend), and Ashgari (mother) all facing conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
• Timeline: “From September 2017 through July 2020, Navarro illegally funneled campaign cash to himself…” — AG (04:00)
• “It’s not usually literally a trail of money on the ground…but this time, yeah.” — Dana (05:01)

Senator Tuberville on Military Diversity (06:52)

• Tuberville claims diversity efforts harm military readiness: “Our military is not an equal opportunity employer. We’re looking for the best of the best.” (07:06)
• Dana eviscerates his remarks, noting the U.S. military has had an equal opportunity policy since 1948.
• Quote: “That was the worst fucking quote I’ve almost ever read on this show about military readiness.” — Dana (07:23)

Bob Menendez Bribery and FBI Probe (10:10)

• The FBI investigates Menendez’s ties to Egyptian intelligence, bribes including gold bars and a Mercedes, and whether his wife was leveraged for access.
• Analysis: Frank Figluzzi warns: “Menendez’s post atop the Foreign Relations Committee put him, quote, in a bullseye position for foreign intelligence services…” (11:58)

Jared Kushner Pressured Washington Post (12:45)

• Kushner (Trump's son-in-law) tried to get WaPo editor Marty Baron fired over Russia reporting.
• Excerpt from Baron’s book: “Kushner’s intent was clear to me. He aims to get me fired.” (15:05)
• AG corrects popular reporting: “He [Mueller] laid out hundreds of pages of collusion with Russia. Bill Barr is the one that stopped this.” (14:40–14:43)

2. Interview: Ali Velshi on Democracy, Media, and Trump Indictments (16:45–29:36)

Introduction (16:45)
AG welcomes Ali Velshi—MSNBC anchor, Band Book Club host, and “The Trump Indictments” book contributor.

On Book Bans & Graphic Novels (17:19)

• Velshi highlights the absurdity of banning graphic novels about historical atrocities: “Apparently, according to Texas and Florida…what we thought of as pornography, the whole definition has changed.”
• Examples of banned books: Graphic adaptations of The Diary of Anne Frank, Maus, and George Takei’s They Called Us Enemy.

Why Publish the Trump Indictments? (19:35)

• Velshi advocates for public engagement with primary sources: “We are at this precipice as it relates to democracy…I think, at this point, we have to [read them].”
• The indictments are “very, very well written,” and pivotal for understanding rule of law in crisis.

On the Role of Media and Disinformation (23:28)

• The hosts discuss “autocratic creep” and the necessity for clear, accessible news.
• AG: “Those who would spread disinformation…are counting on people not reading page indictments.”
• Velshi agrees: “We’re not neutral on democracy in the same way we’re not neutral on homicides and hurricanes…” (24:33)

Media Coverage in an Unprecedented Political Era (24:33)

• Velshi distinguishes between neutrality and truth: “We should all be very interested that he [Trump] gets a fair trial. What we don’t want to do is take shortcuts and do this like non-democratic countries do.”
• Decries the “disease” of anti-democratic sentiment within the GOP and likens the media’s role to providing “the bright lights in the operating room.”

Justice, Accountability, and Public Perception (27:21)

• AG and Velshi stress that “justice” may not always result in public satisfaction, referencing the Mueller report and public distrust in the Supreme Court.
• Velshi: “Accountability doesn’t mean always that you get the result you want.” (27:21)

3. Listener Good News & Community Submissions (29:49–40:52)

• A beloved segment featuring listener emails, corrections, photos, and uplifting stories.

• Highlights:

  • Pet photos and stories (Remy the dog, Pal the Frenchie/Pit, adoptable pets)
  • Listener shout-outs on turning 50, family stories, pop culture references (“...what you talkin’ about, Willis?”)
  • Birding tales: the American Bittern, a “wtf” (What The Fowl) story
  • Hilarious turtle photo submitted as “turtle porn” (36:00) and a tale about a surprising moose encounter on a school ropes course.

• Frequent pop-culture exchanges (Ghostbusters, Ferris Bueller, Mitch Hedberg, etc.) between segments underscore the friendly, irreverent flavor of the show.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Navarro’s Fraud:
  “His mom. He got his mom arrested.” — AG (03:47)

• On Tuberville’s Diversity Comments:
  “That was the worst fucking quote I’ve almost ever read on this show about military readiness.” — Dana (07:23)

• On Kushner’s Attempt to Fire WaPo Editor:
  “He aims to get me fired. I told Ryan.” — Marty Baron via Dana (15:05)

• On the Need for Public to Read Indictments:
  “I wouldn’t normally cause regular people to read an indictment…but at this point, we have to.” — Ali Velshi (19:35)

• On Justice and Accountability:
  “Accountability doesn’t mean always that you get the result you want.” — Ali Velshi (27:21)

• On Media’s Role in Democracy:
  “We’re not neutral on democracy in the same way we’re not neutral on homicides and hurricanes.” — Ali Velshi (24:33)

• Light-hearted closing:
  “Is that a fucking moose? It was, in fact, a fucking moose, which is both cool and absolutely terrifying.” — Listener submission, Anonymous (39:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:45–16:31 — News & rapid-fire hot topics: Trump recusal ruling, campaign fraud, Tuberville, Menendez, Kushner/Washington Post
• 16:45–29:36 — Ali Velshi interview: banning books, Trump indictments, media responsibility, democracy in danger
• 29:49–40:52 — Listener “Good News”: pet pics, personal stories, dad jokes, wildlife encounters

Tone & Takeaways

The tone is simultaneously urgent, irreverent, and inclusive—balancing deep concern for democracy and social justice with humor and a sense of community. The interview with Ali Velshi stands out as a thoughtful, impassioned call for civic engagement and for honest, clear-eyed journalism.

For listeners who missed the episode:
You’ll be caught up on the week’s biggest justice stories, enjoy sharp takes on media and democracy, and hear a model for both holding power accountable and fostering a progressive, informed audience that laughs together.

Them’s the beans!