The Daily Beans | Episode: Refried Beans | Pnut Gingrich (feat. Hugo Lowell) | Jan 9, 2023
Release Date: January 12, 2025
Host: Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg

Overview

In this compelling episode of The Daily Beans, hosts Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg delve into a series of high-stakes political and legal developments. Covering everything from grand jury reports and ethics complaints to classified document investigations, the duo provides insightful commentary with their signature blend of social justice awareness and sharp wit. The episode also features an exclusive interview with Hugo Lowell from The Guardian, offering an in-depth look into the Justice Department's escalating investigation into former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified materials. Concluding on a lighter note, listeners enjoy the heartwarming "Good News" segment filled with adorable listener submissions.

Special Grand Jury Report on Trump’s Election Overturn Efforts

Timestamp: [00:45 – 05:23]

Allison Gill kicks off the episode with breaking news from Hugo Lowell regarding the independent private investigators hired by Donald Trump's team to search his properties for classified documents. The Fulton County special grand jury has concluded its year-long investigation into Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Key Highlights:

• Grand Jury Conclusion: Judge Robert McBurney confirmed the release of the grand jury's final report, though its contents remain undisclosed as of the episode's recording. “The panel has now issued its final report,” Allison states at [01:16].

• Investigation Scope: The grand jury investigated efforts by Trump and his allies to fraudulently appoint GOP activists as presidential electors in Georgia, a strategy aimed at overturning the election outcome.

• Key Figures Testified: High-profile figures such as Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, Senator Lindsey Graham, and Mike Flynn provided testimony. “Andrew Torres and I go over this in detail and the laws surrounding it in Georgia,” Allison mentions at [04:50].

• Judicial Proceedings: Despite challenges from witnesses like Graham and Meadows contesting the grand jury's authority, the panel proceeded, culminating in a scheduled hearing on January 24 to decide whether to unseal its findings.

Scott Perry's Refusal to Recuse Amid Investigations

Timestamp: [05:23 – 08:09]

Dana Goldberg shifts focus to Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, who faces scrutiny amidst federal probes into the January 6 Capitol riot. Despite being under investigation, Perry adamantly refuses to step down from any GOP-led House investigations into the matter.

Notable Quotes:

• “Why should I be limited just because someone has made an accusation? Everybody in America is innocent until proven guilty,” Perry asserts during an interview with George Stephanopoulos at [05:23].

Discussion Points:

• House GOP's Stance: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy supports Perry's position, emphasizing the Republican intent to investigate alleged security lapses related to January 6.

• Legal Challenges: Perry’s phone seizure by the Justice Department and his subsequent legal maneuvers, including dropping a lawsuit to return his cell phone data, highlight the ongoing tension between him and federal investigators.

• Ethics Complaints: The January 6 committee has referred Perry and other GOP members to the House Ethics Committee for ignoring subpoenas, alleging their involvement in attempts to undermine the election results.

Classified Documents Found in Biden's Office

Timestamp: [08:09 – 10:50]

Allison Gill reports on newly discovered classified documents within President Joe Biden's former office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy on Global Engagement in Washington, D.C. Attorney General Merrick Garland has tasked U.S. Attorney John Lausch with reviewing these materials.

Key Details:

• Discovery: Approximately ten classified documents were found while Biden's attorneys were vacating the office space on November 2. “The discovery of these documents was made by the President's attorneys,” Allison explains at [08:09].

• Government Response: The White House Counsel's office promptly notified the National Archives, which secured the documents. The FBI is now involved in the inquiry to determine the documents' origins and handling.

• Investigation Status: This review is preliminary, with Garland yet to decide if a full investigation is warranted. Notably, John Lausch, a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, leads the review, raising questions about potential impartiality.

Dana’s Commentary: Dana Goldberg adds skepticism about the investigation's outcome, suggesting that Lausch may opt not to pursue charges. “I’ll bet the beans that the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney looking into this matter will decline to even investigate it,” she remarks at [09:51].

George Santos Faces FEC Complaint

Timestamp: [10:50 – 15:07]

The hosts turn their attention to Congressman George Santos, who has just begun his term amidst a formal ethics complaint filed by the Campaign Legal Center. The complaint alleges misuse of campaign funds and falsification of campaign-related information.

Key Allegations:

• Financial Misconduct: Santos is accused of illegally using campaign funds for personal expenses, including a $199.99 disbursement for a hotel stay that was significantly overpriced. “The sheer number of these just under $200 disbursements is implausible,” Dana comments at [15:07].

• Suspicious Donations: The complaint questions how Santos managed to loan his campaign $705,000 when his personal financial disclosures indicated only $55,000 in 2020. “He proposed reportedly to loan his campaign $705,000 during the 2022 election,” Allison notes at [15:07].

• Potential Foreign Contributions: There are suspicions of international interference, as the large contributions could originate from corporations or foreign nationals, both barred from federal campaigns.

Hosts’ Perspectives: Allison and Dana express strong disapproval of Santos, highlighting the dubious nature of his financial activities and ethical breaches. “This is one of the sketchiest fuckers I have seen in a long time,” Dana exclaims at [15:02].

Exclusive Interview with Hugo Lowell on DOJ's Investigation into Trump

Timestamp: [15:36 – 25:36]

In an exclusive segment, Hugo Lowell from The Guardian discusses the Justice Department’s intensified investigation into Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents post-presidency. The conversation sheds light on the DOJ’s growing skepticism regarding Trump’s methods for document retrieval and the potential legal ramifications.

Key Insights:

• Independent Searches Questioned: Lowell reveals that the private firm hired by Trump to search his properties was not genuinely independent, as the team consisted of Trump associates. “These guys were people who are known to Trump,” Lowell states at [16:03].

• DOJ’s Escalation: The DOJ's request for the names of individuals involved in the searches indicates a lack of trust in Trump’s explanations. This marks a significant escalation in the investigation. “This signals an escalation in many respects of the Justice Department's criminal investigation,” Allison reflects at [20:49].

• Special Counsel’s Role: The appointment of Jack Smith as special counsel has injected urgency and aggression into the DOJ’s approach. “It begs the question whether Jack Smith... has injected a new urgency,” Allison muses at [22:57].

Notable Quotes:

• “The Justice Department has decided this is now a key part of its investigation,” Hugo emphasizes at [17:52].
• “These recent actions... signal a new level of aggression from the Justice Department,” Hugo adds at [22:57].

Future Implications: Lowell discusses the potential for limited use immunity for key witnesses, signaling the DOJ’s determination to secure critical testimonies against Trump and his allies. “You don't give someone like Kash Patel use immunity to testify... if you really didn't see a bigger fish,” he explains at [23:37].

Good News Segment

Timestamp: [25:36 – 33:44]

Transitioning from heavy political discourse, Allison and Dana share uplifting listener submissions, featuring adorable pets, heartwarming stories, and humorous anecdotes.

Highlights:

• Listener Photos: Allison showcases pictures of frogs, dogs in Christmas sweaters, and kittens, accompanied by charming stories from listeners.

• Heartwarming Tales: A poignant story from Lisa Pronoun recounts a childhood memory involving her late mother, blending humor with nostalgia.

• Community Engagement: The hosts encourage listeners to continue sending in their stories and photos, fostering a sense of community and positivity amidst the tumultuous news landscape.

Closing Remarks

As the episode winds down, Allison announces an upcoming breaking news nugget about Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaing Rudy Giuliani for records related to Trump's post-election fundraising efforts. Dana hints at her temporary absence due to personal commitments, assuring listeners of her return.

Final Thoughts: Allison and Dana wrap up with reminders to care for oneself and others, advocating for social and political engagement. “Vote blue over Q and take everyone with you,” Dana advises humorously at [33:40].

Notable Quotes:

• “The panel has now issued its final report,” – Allison Gill [01:16]
• “Why should I be limited just because someone has made an accusation? Everybody in America is innocent until proven guilty,” – Scott Perry [05:23]
• “This signals an escalation in many respects of the Justice Department's criminal investigation,” – Hugo Lowell [20:49]
• “This is one of the sketchiest fuckers I have seen in a long time,” – Dana Goldberg [15:02]

For more updates and insightful discussions, follow The Daily Beans on your preferred podcast platform and visit DailyBeansPod.com.