The Daily Beans: "Reservoir Of Trust" (feat. Jen Rubin) – Detailed Summary

Release Date: January 22, 2025
Host: Alison Gill (Dana Goldberg absent)

1. Introduction and Episode Overview

Alison Gill opens the episode by addressing significant political developments:

• Trump's Executive Actions: President Donald Trump has rescinded several Biden executive orders and signed numerous new ones.
• Judicial and Legislative Pushbacks: 24 states and cities are challenging Trump's termination of birthright citizenship. Additionally, the Supreme Court declined to hear a Republican voter suppression case from Montana.
• January 6th Pardons and Legal Controversies: Trump has pardoned numerous individuals involved in the January 6th insurrection, leading to scrutiny and criticism.
• Leadership Changes in the Coast Guard: The first female Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral Linda Fagan, was removed without cause, sparking discussions about leadership deficiencies.

Alison also teases upcoming segments, including a conversation with Jen Rubin about the new independent media venture, "The Contrarian."

2. Reverend Marianne Edgar Buddy’s Appeal to President Trump

At [03:16], Reverend Marianne Edgar Buddy delivers a heartfelt plea during the inaugural prayer service in Washington, D.C.:

Reverend Buddy: “...our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land... May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being... Amen.”

Alison acknowledges the emotional and moral weight of Reverend Buddy's words, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the compassion within various faith communities despite her own atheism.

3. Hot Notes: Breaking News and Analysis

a. Pete Hegseth’s Senate Confirmation Under Fire

From Courtney Kuby at NBC:

• Affidavit Submission: Senators received a sworn affidavit from Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law, alleging his volatile and abusive behavior.
• Allegations vs. Defense: Hegseth's wife, Samantha, denies any abuse, stating, “There was no physical abuse in my marriage.”
• Political Implications: The affidavit raises questions about the thoroughness of Hegseth's FBI background check and reflects potential concealment by the Trump transition team.
• Senate Proceedings: With a Senate vote imminent, the allegations could influence Hegseth's confirmation, which requires only a simple majority.

b. Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Trump’s Pardons

From Matthew Chapman at Raw Story:

• FOP's Silence on Pardons: Despite initially endorsing Trump, the FOP has refrained from commenting on his blanket pardons of January 6th insurrectionists, including violent felons.
• Senatorial Concerns: Rep. Thom Tillis criticized the pardons, stating they could set a dangerous precedent where “police officers could potentially be assaulted and there's no consequences” ([Time Stamp Not Provided]).

c. Interim Chief Overseeing Capitol Riot Cases

From Ryan Riley at NBC:

• Appointment of Ed Martin: Ryan Riley reports that Ed Martin, a conservative activist with ties to January 6th supporters, has been appointed as the interim chief of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
• Case Dismissals: Martin has begun dropping most Capitol riot cases, including those involving assaults on law enforcement officers.
• Concerns Raised: Martin’s past involvement with pro-Trump groups and his handling of cases raise questions about the impartiality and effectiveness of ongoing investigations.

d. Legal Challenges to Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

From Kara Scannell at CNN:

• Executive Order Controversy: Trump’s new executive order aims to end birthright citizenship, asserting that children born to undocumented immigrants are not subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
• Lawsuits Filed: Eighteen states, along with Washington D.C. and San Francisco, have filed lawsuits arguing that the order violates the 14th Amendment.
• Legal Arguments: Plaintiffs contend that the order undermines constitutional guarantees and burdens states financially by increasing the population of stateless children dependent on federal services.
• Supreme Court Stance: The Supreme Court declined to hear a related case from Montana, effectively blocking similar voter suppression laws.

e. Removal of Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan

From The US Naval Institute via All Coast:

• Termination Without Cause: Admiral Linda L. Fagan was relieved of her duties by the acting Secretary of Homeland Security, citing leadership deficiencies and operational failures.
• Official Reasons:
  1. Inadequate response to border security threats and drug smuggling.
  2. Recruiting shortfalls and retention challenges, though recent data shows improvement.
  3. Delays in acquiring essential Coast Guard assets like icebreakers and helicopters.
  4. Excessive focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, diverting resources.
  5. Mishandling and cover-up of Operation Fouled Anchor, an investigation into misconduct at the Coast Guard Academy.
• Impact on Leadership: Vice Commandant Admiral Kevin Lundy will serve as the acting commandant, assuring the service of continued excellence in missions.

f. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Montana Voter Suppression Case

From Jen Rubin:

• Case Dismissal: The Supreme Court declined to review a case challenging Montana Secretary of State Christy Jacobson's voter suppression laws, keeping court decisions that struck down the laws in place.
• Implications: This leaves significant restrictions on voter ID laws and other measures aimed at limiting voter participation, particularly affecting new and indigenous voters.
• Broader Context: The decision aligns with the landmark Moore v. Harper case, reaffirming that state legislatures do not have exclusive authority to regulate federal elections without judicial oversight.

4. Community Engagement: Good News and Submissions

Alison encourages listeners to submit uplifting stories, shout-outs, and photos of pets. Examples include:

• Anonymous Submission: Congratulations to a listener who earned a Master of Science in Analytics from Georgia Tech and shares adorable photos of her puppy, Lovell.
• Dee Dee’s Shout-Out: Appreciation for her coworker Jamie, who brings hot chocolate to the office, fostering a supportive workplace environment.
• Elisa’s Story: A 20-year entertainment industry worker pivots to nutritional therapy, supporting disabled therapy horse riders amid industry and regional challenges.
• Leah’s Contribution: Highlighting the Los Angeles Equestrian Center's need for volunteers to support horses displaced by fires.
• Bird Watching Highlight: A humorous sighting of a Trump-themed Cybertruck, blending political commentary with nature.

5. Interview with Jen Rubin: Launching "The Contrarian"

At [31:33], Jen Rubin joins Alison Gill to discuss her new media venture, "The Contrarian," alongside Norm Eisen. Key discussion points include:

a. Motivation Behind "The Contrarian"

• Response to Corporate Media Failures: Jen criticizes major media outlets for prioritizing financial interests over journalistic integrity, leading to biased coverage and loss of public trust.

Jen Rubin: “There has to be some place where people who were unabashed, pro-democracy people didn't engage in this false equivalence... but were really strong in terms of standing up to this.”

• Commitment to Truth and Diversity of Content: Emphasis on combining serious political analysis with cultural elements like humor, film, and cooking to engage a broader audience.

b. Critique of the Washington Post and Media Ownership

• Decline of Journalistic Standards: Jen laments the Washington Post's shift under new ownership, leading to editorial compromises and loss of talented journalists.

Jen Rubin: “Once you lose people they don't necessarily come back. And so this is not hyperbole. I have real concerns about the future of the Washington Post...”

• Impact of Publisher Decisions: Comparisons to the "New Coke" fiasco, illustrating how poor decisions by media owners can irreparably harm credibility and readership.

c. Importance of Language and Messaging

• Battle Over Terminology: Jen stresses the need to use precise language to counteract authoritarian narratives and maintain clarity in political discourse.

Jen Rubin: “We have to restrict and restrain ourselves from adopting language that makes them seem like this is normal, that this is legal, that this is proper.”

• Examples of Language Manipulation: Renaming executive orders to diminish their perceived legitimacy and refusing to adopt euphemistic terms promoted by Trump and MAGA Republicans.

d. Building a Resilient Media Community

• Engaging the Audience: Focus on creating a supportive and interactive community through "The Contrarian," leveraging platforms like Substack and Bluesky to bypass traditional media gatekeepers.

Jen Rubin: “We are the scrappy yacht or the scrappy rowboat that can zip around as opposed to the big ocean liners of corporate media...”

• Future Content Plans: Incorporation of various media formats, including video, podcasts, written pieces, and cartoons, to cater to diverse audience preferences.

6. Good News Segment: Celebrating Community and Positivity

Alison highlights submissions from listeners, showcasing personal achievements, acts of kindness, and community support efforts. Notable stories involve:

• Academic Success: A listener celebrates earning a Master's degree and shares her journey alongside her puppy.
• Workplace Kindness: Recognition of a coworker who fosters a positive office environment by bringing hot chocolate during harsh weather.
• Support for Animal Shelters: Encouraging assistance for the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and other animal rescue initiatives.
• Humorous Observations: Lighthearted anecdotes blending political satire with everyday life, such as the sighting of Trump-themed vehicles.

7. Conclusion and Call to Action

Alison wraps up the episode by:

• Reminding listeners to engage with "The Contrarian" and subscribe to support independent media.
• Encouraging continued community participation through submissions of good news and positive stories.
• Promoting recent episodes, including the fifth part of Jack Smith's final report and upcoming discussions on pardons.

A heartfelt farewell underscores the podcast's mission to inform, engage, and foster a resilient community amidst challenging political landscapes.

Notable Quotes:

• Reverend Marianne Edgar Buddy [03:16]:

  “...our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land... May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being... Amen.”

• Jen Rubin [36:56]:

  “...there's a fundamental conflict at the heart of corporate or billionaire owned media, and that is the owners of these outlets use the media or neglect the media, as the case may be, in deference to their own financial interests.”

• Rep. Thom Tillis [Time Stamp Not Provided]:

  “Police officers could potentially be assaulted and there's no consequences…”

• Alison Gill [Throughout]:

  Various expressions of concern over the erosion of trust in both government institutions and media, advocating for independent media as a bastion of truth.

Resources Mentioned:

• "The Contrarian": Jen Rubin’s new independent media venture, available on Substack and Bluesky.
• MSW Media: The network behind "The Daily Beans," offering additional content and updates at mswmedia.com.
• Legal Documents: Current lists of executive orders and their rescissions available at muellershirote.com/.

This episode of "The Daily Beans" provides a comprehensive look into the turbulent political climate of early 2025, highlighting key legislative changes, judicial challenges, and media integrity issues. Alison Gill, in the absence of Dana Goldberg, delivers insightful commentary and fosters meaningful discussions with guests like Jen Rubin, advocating for transparent and resilient independent media in times of widespread misinformation and political unrest.