The Daily Beans

Episode: "Resist and Repeat"

Date: December 3, 2025
Host(s): Allison Gill ("AG") & Dana Goldberg ("DG")
Guests: Nikki Kidd & Sarah Slackert, co-founders of Resist and Repeat

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a snarky yet incisive breakdown of the latest political developments, with a pointed focus on resistance activism, the Trump administration’s policies on immigration and law enforcement, the latest GOP infighting, and grassroots organizing. The show features an in-depth interview with Nikki Kidd and Sarah Slackert, two suburban Chicago moms leading the group Resist and Repeat, which is channeling urgency around ICE raids into direct action. As always, the hosts blend progressive analysis, community shout-outs, and listener good news with humor and urgency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Quick Hits: News Recap (00:00–07:43)

• San Francisco Crime Narrative

  • Trump’s claims about crime in San Francisco contradicted by his administration's own actions: "He’s actually pulling federal police from their jobs in SF fighting crime to work on mass deportation. He’s actually defunding the police. It’s part of the fascist strategy—break the government so you can privatize it" (AG, 01:57).

• Tennessee 7th District Special Election

  • Republican Matt Van Epps wins, beating Afton Ben by 8 points. The result is viewed as a sign of GOP fears about shifting support—even in gerrymandered, deeply red districts (03:56).

• On Nancy Pelosi’s Political Prowess

  • Hosts reminisce about iconic Pelosi moments, like her State of the Union speech rip and her gravity during impeachment: "She gave the look and everyone was quiet... we’re impeaching a president. No clappy claps" (AG, 03:25).

Major Stories: Unpacking National Issues

1. Pentagon Scandal & Possible War Crimes (07:46–11:58)

• Pete Hegseth & Strike in Latin America
  • Initial denials, then shifting rationales, then scapegoating the military—WH Press Secretary Levitt's statements viewed as "throwing us the service members under the bus."
  • “This is Protect Pete bullshit.” — anonymous military official, (AG quoting WaPo, 09:03).
  • Hegseth’s own defense at a cabinet meeting: “I did not personally see the survivors. The thing was on fire. This is called the fog of war. This is what you and the press don't understand. You sit in your air conditioned offices and plant fake stories in the Washington Post.” (AG quoting Hegseth, 10:55).
  • Dana observes: “Such a Few Good Men line right there…” (DG, 11:05)
  • GOP now using the more egregious “second strike” as a lever to revisit the original questionable military actions.

2. GOP Infighting & MAGA Threats Over Redistricting (11:58–16:15)

• At least 11 Indiana Republicans, including State Senators and their families, targeted with bomb threats, swatting, and intimidation after Trump publicly bullied them over redistricting: “Welcome to our world” — referencing the long-standing threats faced by those opposing Trump (DG, 13:02).
  • Quotes:
    • “This recent pattern of threatening behavior and intimidation attempts are not only concerning, but also illegal. I hope to see justice for this type of behavior.” — Sen. Mike Bohasic (DG, 13:12)
    • "Getting a little taste of what it’s like to be on the wrong side of MAGA, huh?" (AG, 16:03)

3. Immigration Courts "Eviscerated" (16:15–18:47)

• Eight immigration judges fired in NYC, nearly 100 nationwide for the year; positions replaced selectively, as Trump ramps up “deportation judge” hiring.
  • “The court has been basically eviscerated.” — Olivia Casson, former immigration judge (AG, 18:20)
  • Use of Pentagon JAGs as deportation judges signals a constitutional crisis.

4. Costco Sues Trump Over Tariffs (18:47–21:39)

• Costco sues for refund of illegally imposed tariffs, highlighting a December 15 deadline for refunds pending Supreme Court review—many companies similarly affected.

• “Just one of many reasons to shop at Costco above Target or Amazon. They're just a cool company.” (AG, 21:39)

Featured Interview: Nikki Kidd & Sarah Slackert, Resist and Repeat (25:25–46:18)

Background

• Who are Resist and Repeat?
  • Suburban moms from Chicagoland who organize direct action against ICE raids and mass deportations.
  • Motivated by increasing ICE activity, racial targeting, and the sense of helplessness turned into grassroots mobilization.

Interview Highlights

• Organizing the Sit-In

  • Sarah: "I have a little more renegade in me, I guess...so I was like, I'll start organizing the moms." (Sarah, 27:00)
  • Used “phone tree” methods to rally fellow suburbans, responding both to ICE activity and the lack of organized efforts in her own community.

• Civil Disobedience at Broadview Detention Center

  • Protest began in “free speech zones,” escalated with crossing barricades and peaceful sit-in—a calculated risk to use their "privilege":
    • Nikki: “We climbed over the barricades and held hands in a big circle and sat down on the road…to bring attention to the fact that...families are being ripped apart…” (Nikki, 30:30)

• Arrest & Police Involvement

  • Arrests by Cook County Sheriff's police, despite existing restraining orders protecting protesters from excessive force. Protesters charged with misdemeanors for refusing to vacate the street.

• Role of Law Enforcement:

  • Sarah: “Even though the Illinois Trust Act says they’re not supposed to create a perimeter for federal agents...that is what they’re doing there.” (Sarah, 33:20)
  • Suspects the governor sought to keep the National Guard out, but heavy-handedness from sheriffs and state police still prevailed.

• Legal and Community Support

  • "We are extremely lucky...National Lawyers Guild helped provide guidance...some dads who are attorneys volunteered to help." — Nikki (35:55)
  • Prioritize directing outside support to the immigrant community rather than their own legal defense.

• Strategy, Messaging & What’s Next

  • “Our message is that anybody can take action right now...You have a relationship and ability to talk to people that we can't.”
  • Using Instagram (@resistandrepeat) to connect, share resources, and link activists in other cities.
  • Sarah: “We’re not going to beat them by matching their tomfoolery...A lot of them need a hug from a mom right now because their childhood trauma is showing...” (41:09)

• Solidarity & Activist Learning:

  • Sharing best practices with groups in other cities: “What we’re really trying to do is just connect with as many people as possible…to offer as much resource as we can from where we sit.” — Nikki (43:15)

• AG on resistance and hope:

  • “Fascism is like an episode of Hoarders. The whole house is a mess, but you just got to pick a corner and start cleaning.” (AG, 46:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump's authoritarian tactics:
  • “He’s the arsonist who puts out the fire, right?” — AG (01:57)
• On military scapegoating:
  • “This is Protect Pete bullshit.” — anonymous military official, quoted by AG (09:03)
  • “You can’t just say, well, Hegseth made me do it. You can’t just say, I was just following orders.” — AG (10:25)
• On organizing suburban moms:
  • “We have a huge amount of privilege, and we need to get off our ass and use it.” — Sarah (28:05)
• On activism:
  • “You know, we’re just trying to do the next one thing, the one more thing that we can do kind of every week.” — Nikki (46:08)
• On civil disobedience:
  • “We’re not doing this perfectly. We could have been doing a lot more sooner than this and just saying those uncomfortable things so we can all come to the table and get some shit done.” — Sarah (28:05)
• On fascism:
  • “Fascism is like an episode of Hoarders. The whole house is a mess, but you just got to pick a corner and start cleaning.” — AG (46:18)

Key Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–03:25: News roundup, reactions, and reflections on community giving.
• 03:25–07:43: Tennessee election coverage; Trump’s false promises on crime; DOJ’s looming blunders.
• 07:46–16:15: Pentagon scandal; Indiana GOP redistricting backlash and MAGA threats.
• 16:15–21:39: Immigration judge firings; Costco sues over Trump tariffs.
• 25:25–46:18: Interview with Nikki Kidd & Sarah Slackert, Resist and Repeat.
• 46:18–63:21: Listener-submitted "good news," resource shout-outs, pet tax, and closing remarks.

Additional Resources & Community Takeaways

• Beans community collectively donated to the Human Rights Campaign for Giving Tuesday.
• Episode included multiple shout-outs to trans and LGBTQ+ orgs; see show notes for links.
• Resist and Repeat IG for collaboration and resources: @resistandrepeat
• Listeners encouraged to activate within their own “sphere of influence”—everyone has a role.

Episode Tone and Style

The hosts balance righteous anger, wry humor, direct action encouragement, and community uplift. The tone remains sharp, accessible, and pragmatic: “snark with purpose” is the through-line.

Final Words

This episode provides a vital snapshot of grassroots direct action against mounting federal overreach, while simultaneously holding power to account—from the Pentagon to statehouses to the curbside outside a detention center. Resist and Repeat’s story epitomizes the local, often-messy organizing that undergirds lasting resistance. Through anecdotes, sharp commentary, and thoughtful listener engagement, The Daily Beans continues to serve as both a news source and a call to action.

To connect or support the episode’s featured activism:

• IG: @resistandrepeat
• For broader support resources (LGBTQ+, trans orgs, and more), see the episode’s show notes.