The Daily Beans: "Refried Beans | Highest Of Low Regard"
Date: December 3, 2024 (Rebroadcast December 7, 2025)
Host: Allison Gill
Guest: Wajahat Ali
Episode Overview
In this episode, Allison Gill breaks down the latest in progressive news with her signature mix of humor and hard facts. Key topics include the broad pardon for Hunter Biden, explosive New Yorker reporting on Trump's Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, developments in the Proud Boys double-agent trial, a public apology from Dinesh D’Souza for misinformation in "2000 Mules," and a deep conversation with author/commentator Wajahat Ali about the implications of the Hunter Biden pardon. As always, the tone is sharp, irreverent, and passionate about social justice and accountability.
Key News Segments and Discussion Points
1. New Yorker Exposé: Pete Hegseth’s Troubled Record
[04:49 – 14:49]
- Jane Mayer’s latest investigation uncovers serious allegations against Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, including:
- A secret financial settlement for alleged rape in 2017.
- Pattern of heavy intoxication and sexual impropriety while running veterans’ organizations.
- Hostile workplace, financial mismanagement, and misuse of organizational funds.
- Instances of being aggressively intoxicated at organizational events, including strip clubs and hotel parties.
- Racist behavior, e.g., drunkenly chanting “kill all Muslims” (2015).
- Open misogyny and opposition to diversity in the military.
- Past prohibited participation in Biden’s inauguration due to extremist tattoos.
- Senator Blumenthal is quoted:
"Much as we might be sympathetic to people with continuing alcohol problems, they shouldn't be at the top of our national security structure. It's dangerous… entrusting these kinds of issues to someone who might be incapacitated is a risk we cannot take." [10:30]
- The report raises alarm comparing Hegseth’s situation to John Tower, a past Defense nominee rejected for similar reasons.
2. Proud Boys Double Agent Trial
[14:49 – 25:13]
- Metropolitan Police Lt. Shane Lamond faces trial for allegedly acting as a “double agent” for the Proud Boys after their leader, Enrique Tarrio, burned a BLM banner.
- Lamond tipped off Tarrio about a pending arrest, exchanged hundreds of messages, and lied to federal investigators.
- Tarrio could testify; Lamond faces obstruction of justice and false statement charges.
- Prosecutor Joshua Rothstein:
“He knew the difference between right and wrong and he knew it was a crime to lie to law enforcement.” [15:35]
- Lamond’s supportive messaging to Tarrio:
“Of course I can't say it officially, but personally I support you all... don't want to see your group's name and reputation dragged through the mud” [17:55]
3. Senators Warren & Blumenthal Urge Safeguards Against Domestic Military Use
[18:55 – 25:13]
- Senators formally urge President Biden and Defense Secretary Austin to publicly disavow use of military against Americans, reflecting fears about Trump’s second-term intentions.
- Citing the Posse Comitatus Act and dangerous Insurrection Act loopholes.
- Deep concern over Supreme Court’s Trump v. United States immunity decision, which could embolden official abuses of military power.
- The letter warns:
“If unaddressed, any ambiguity on the lawful use of military force…may prove devastating.” [24:47]
4. Dinesh D’Souza Issues Public Apology for “2000 Mules”
[25:13 – 29:55]
- D’Souza retracts key claims from his film, admitting that ballot-dropbox footage was not correlated with “mule” geolocation data as touted.
- He apologizes to Mark Andrews, who was falsely accused of ballot fraud, and acknowledges the film’s use of inaccurate data.
"If I'd known they weren't linked to geolocation data, I would have clarified this… produced and edited the film differently." [28:45]
- Allison’s commentary:
“That book was recalled and had to be reprinted because of fucking lies. Just lies. But D’Souza says he continues to have confidence in True the Vote’s work. So he blames them, threw them under the bus for everything…” [29:17]
Featured Interview: Wajahat Ali on the Hunter Biden Pardon
[30:37 – 46:18]
Main Insights
- Hunter Biden’s broad pardon is celebrated by the hosts as justified and overdue.
- Wajahat Ali highlights:
- The exceptional double standard and bad faith Republican investigations into Hunter Biden.
- The inhumanity and hypocrisy of MAGA outrage.
- The importance of Democrats playing hardball, not being "Charlie Brown with Lucy and the football."
- Memorable quote:
“When they go low, I put them in a knee bar, which is a perfectly legal UFC move, and I take them out. I couldn’t care less.” – Wajahat Ali [32:11]
- The pardon was necessary to protect Hunter not just from spurious legal threats, but from the vindictiveness of a possible Trump administration:
“President Biden is a father. I'm a father… There was a malicious witch hunt against Hunter…So Joe Biden’s probably like, okay, I’m a…dying old man. I’m 82. I’m going to protect my son…” – Wajahat Ali [32:11]
- Response to Democratic critics:
- Pardoning broadly is prudent—Trump’s allies want to weaponize the DOJ no matter what; “throwing anything at the wall.”
- Dismissing notion the pardon “gives Trump permission” to pardon Jan 6 insurrectionists—Trump will do it anyway.
- Urging Democrats to fight back and use all the tools they have.
- “If you fall for the bad faith bullshit…you deserve to lose. Allison, I don’t know what else to say. Like, fool me once, fool me twice, fool me three times. If you're still willing to be conned by a con man, you're a rube.” – Wajahat Ali [39:38]
- Both hosts push Biden to lean into his granted powers, even amidst Supreme Court-imposed presidential immunity, and to pursue additional progressive pardons and bold actions:
“Democrats, what have you got to lose? For the love of God?” – Wajahat Ali [42:59]
Noteworthy Quotes & Moments
On media and Democratic hand-wringing:
- “The establishment headlines are sane washing it and you know, leading with, ‘oh, but he pardoned and, oh my God, he lied!’…Completely ignoring that a criminal is about to enter the White House…” – Wajahat Ali [41:12]
On using the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling:
- “You have to break the law in order to receive immunity… The Supreme Court didn’t grant immunity to everyone. They granted immunity to Donald Trump.” – Allison Gill [43:25]
On being emboldened to use executive power:
- “Go ham on your powers, proactively protect and pardon people… and also let Republicans complain. They’ll always complain. They’re like the Incredible Hulk…they’re always angry, Alison. So do it. Do the right thing.” – Wajahat Ali [41:52]
Good News Segment & Community Engagement
[46:25 – End]
- Listener mailbag, celebrating uplifting stories, corrections, and collective joy.
- Multiple listeners share photos of themselves flipping off Trump properties (“birds”)—a recurring, cathartic theme.
- Touching stories:
- A UK air ambulance team saves a young patient in a traumatic event, then receives art and thanks from her.
- Allison reads out shout-outs to government safety net programs, holiday moments, and tales of community support.
Structure & Flow Notes
- The show maintains an energetic, accessible tone, balancing deep outrage with witty asides.
- Listeners are treated as community members and contributors in shaping the show.
- Allison’s delivery is frank, occasionally profane, and deeply values-based.
Suggested Listening Timestamps
- Pete Hegseth exposé: [04:49 – 14:49]
- Proud Boys “double agent” trial: [14:49 – 18:55]
- Letter on Presidential use of military: [18:55 – 25:13]
- Dinesh D’Souza / “2000 Mules” apology: [25:13 – 29:55]
- Wajahat Ali interview/Pardon talk: [30:37 – 46:18]
Conclusion
This episode blends hard-hitting progressive news with compelling, cathartic conversation. The deep dive into the Hunter Biden pardon—framed as a necessary act of hardball politics—serves as a rallying cry for unapologetic resistance in the face of escalating authoritarian threats. The episode closes with lighthearted good news, reinforcing The Daily Beans’ role as a progressive lifeline for its listeners.