Podcast Summary: The Daily Beans – "Refried Beans | I am Grot (feat. Rep. Dan Goldman)" | July 21, 2023
Overview In this episode of The Daily Beans, hosted by Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg, the hosts delve into a week’s worth of progressive political news with their characteristic blend of insightful analysis and sharp wit. The episode covers a range of topics, including a bizarre courtroom drama, corrections on legal reporting related to former President Trump, indictments related to fraudulent elector schemes, advancements in Supreme Court ethics legislation, and an in-depth interview with Representative Dan Goldman regarding recent congressional hearings.
1. Bizarre Courtroom Drama at Prettyman Courthouse [00:45 - 07:28]
Allison Gill opens the episode by recounting a peculiar incident at the Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, D.C., where the federal grand jury convenes to investigate the January 6th events.
- Key Players:
- Judge Trevor McFadden: A Trump appointee who reportedly threw a "hissy fit" during proceedings.
- Stanley Woodward: Trump’s attorney representing multiple January 6th defendants.
- Frederico Klein: A Trump State Department appointee and January 6th rioter who was found guilty on all seven felony counts.
Notable Quote:
- Allison Gill [04:31]: “And now she’s cooperating with Jack Smith. And he also represents Stanley Woodward. Represents. There’s more. There’s plenty more.”
Summary: During a grand jury session, Stanley Woodward excused himself to attend another courtroom proceeding, leading to tension with Judge McFadden. Woodward's late arrival and subsequent interactions resulted in significant delays, potentially impacting the timing of indictments, including those against Donald Trump. The episode highlights the inefficiencies and dramatics within the judicial process surrounding the January 6th investigations.
2. Indictments in Michigan's Fraudulent Elector Scheme [07:28 - 14:13]
The hosts discuss the removal of Stan Grot, a Michigan Shelby Township clerk, from his election duties following his indictment on eight felony charges related to the 2020 fraudulent elector scheme.
Key Points:
- Charges Include:
- Conspiracy to commit forgery (14-year felony)
- Election law forgery (5-year felony)
- Impact: Grot is barred from performing any election-related duties pending his charges.
- Broader Implications: Other Republican figures in Michigan, including former party chairs and mayors, are also facing similar charges, indicating a widespread crackdown on attempts to undermine the electoral process.
Notable Quote:
- Allison Gill [09:04]: “The group, according to Attorney General Dana Nestle, who rocks the fucking box, allegedly sought to nullify the result of the presidential election in Michigan in order to ensure Trump then president would receive a second term.”
Summary: The indictment of Stan Grot and other GOP officials underscores the legal ramifications of efforts to submit alternate electors post-2020 election. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nestle emphasized that these actions "fundamentally undermine voter confidence in the integrity of elections," highlighting the serious consequences of attempting to subvert democratic processes.
3. Supreme Court Ethics Legislation Advances [14:13 - 23:00]
The Senate Judiciary Committee made significant progress in advancing the Supreme Court Ethics Recusal and Transparency Act, aiming to impose an ethics code on the Supreme Court justices.
Key Points:
- Legislation Details:
- Requires justices to adopt a code of conduct.
- Implements procedures for handling judicial misconduct complaints.
- Mandates disclosure of gifts, travel, and income received by justices and their clerks.
- Committee Vote: Passed 11-10 along party lines.
- Republican Response: GOP senators, including Lindsey Graham, have labeled the bill as an attempt to "destroy a conservative court," asserting it would allow conservative judges to be disqualified by statute.
Notable Quote:
- Allison Gill [17:00]: “Denying a code of ethical conduct for the Supreme Court is crazy, by the way. They are the most powerful judges in America, and yet they are not required to follow even the most basic ethics standards.”
Summary: The proposed ethics bill seeks to increase transparency and accountability within the Supreme Court, addressing concerns about potential conflicts of interest and impartiality. While Democrats see it as a necessary step to restore public trust, Republicans argue it is a politically motivated effort to undermine the Court's conservative majority. The bill faces significant opposition in the Republican-controlled House and Senate, casting doubt on its future passage.
4. Interview with Representative Dan Goldman [23:30 - 36:35]
Representative Dan Goldman of New York’s 10th district joins the podcast to discuss recent congressional hearings related to the Sub Select Committee on Weaponization and the House Oversight Committee.
Key Discussion Points:
- Censorship Hearing:
- Featured Robert Kennedy Jr., who allegedly faced censorship by social media platforms.
- Goldman criticized the hearing as a platform for Kennedy's fringe views rather than addressing actual instances of censorship.
- Highlighted contradictions, such as Kennedy’s tweet not being taken down, undermining claims of censorship.
Notable Quotes:
- Dan Goldman [27:12]: “I do think that they're designed at this point primarily as an arm of the Trump defense team and as an arm of the Trump campaign team, and that is essentially all they are doing.”
- Allison Gill [27:43]: “First of all, the laptop is real. Right? It is a keyboard with a thing, but you got a hard drive.”
Summary: Goldman criticized the committee's hearings for being more about political posturing than substantive policy discussion. He addressed the Hunter Biden laptop story, questioning its legitimacy and the motives behind its amplification. Additionally, he condemned Marjorie Taylor Greene’s actions of presenting nude photos, viewing them as attempts to embarrass Hunter Biden rather than contributing to meaningful legislative discourse.
5. Good News Segment [36:39 - 45:15]
The hosts transition to a lighter segment featuring listener submissions, sharing uplifting stories and adorable pet photos.
Highlights:
- Listener Stories:
- Linda Pronoun: Avoided a scam thanks to the podcast’s influence.
- Cakemeister: Shared photos of her pets, Lunchbox the tortie and Opie the Shih Tzu.
- Helen Pronoun: Celebrated her daughter Natalie’s achievement in purchasing her first horse, Whiskey, supporting her dream of becoming a professional rider.
- John Pronoun: Discussed his personal growth and appreciation for diverse viewpoints gained from the podcast.
- Senator Duff: Highlighted legislative successes in Connecticut related to reproductive rights and privacy laws, and shared photos of his dog Molly.
Notable Moments:
- Heartwarming exchanges over pet photos and personal achievements.
- Expressions of gratitude from listeners for the podcast’s positive impact on their lives.
Summary: The Good News segment serves as a heartening close to the episode, showcasing the podcast's community and the positive influence it has on its listeners. From thwarted scams to new beginnings with pets and career milestones, the stories underscore themes of resilience, support, and personal growth.
Conclusion
In this episode, Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg effectively navigate through a tumultuous week in politics, providing listeners with clear and engaging analysis of complex legal and legislative developments. Their interview with Rep. Dan Goldman adds depth to the discussion on congressional hearings, while the Good News segment offers a refreshing balance of positivity. Notable quotes and insightful commentary make this episode a comprehensive update for listeners seeking to stay informed on progressive political issues.
Notable Quotes Recap:
- Allison Gill [04:31]: “We are going to go over that in depth on the Jack podcast this Sunday. We're going to talk about previous cases that have used 241 and we're going to talk about somebody who said, like a year and a half ago that 241 seemed like probably the easiest solution for a charge against Donald Trump in the January 6th case.”
- Dan Goldman [27:12]: “They are designed at this point primarily as an arm of the Trump defense team and as an arm of the Trump campaign team, and that is essentially all they are doing.”
- Allison Gill [17:00]: “Denying a code of ethical conduct for the Supreme Court is crazy, by the way. They are the most powerful judges in America, and yet they are not required to follow even the most basic ethics standards.”