The Daily Beans – "Solidarity" (feat. John Fugelsang)

Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Allison Gill (AG) and Dana Goldberg (DG)
Guest: John Fugelsang
Theme: A deep dive into the national “ICE Out Economic Blackout” day, resistance to extreme immigration enforcement, Congressional negotiations over DHS funding and government shutdowns, social justice updates, and how solidarity and activism are shaping this political moment.

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on escalating resistance against ICE and Customs and Border Protection, highlighting the Senate Democrats' stand against a government funding package over concerns about ICE violence and abuse. AG and DG discuss current news at the intersection of politics and social justice—with a blend of sharp critique and humor. The episode is ad-free as an act of solidarity with communities under threat and in support of the January 30th economic blackout/protest.

John Fugelsang joins for a rich, insightful, and characteristically irreverent segment discussing political infighting, the failures and self-destruction within the Trump administration, and the power of activism—especially following the tragic shooting of federal employee Alex Preddy in Minneapolis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senate Democrats Block Funding Bill Over ICE Abuse

[03:58]

• Senate Democrats oppose a key spending package, stalling government funding to demand reform of ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• The package includes $64.4 billion for DHS; after the Minneapolis shooting (of VA nurse Alex Preddy), Dems insist on separating DHS funding for further negotiation.
• Quote (AG, [05:01]): “I want them to defund ICE altogether.”
• Rep. Chuck Schumer: “This is the moment of truth. Congress must act to rein in ICE and end the violence.” ([05:41])
• Demands include: mask bans for agents, body cams, visible ID, stops on random sweeps, judicial warrants for searches, and independent investigations of Minneapolis shootings.

2. ICE Out Economic Blackout

[01:16]; [02:48]; [32:57]

• The episode is ad-free in solidarity with protest cities; encouragement to listeners to join the economic blackout where possible.
• “Ice Out Economic Blackout Day, January 30th… You will not hear any ads today on The Daily Beans in solidarity…” (AG, [01:18])
• Listeners urged not to spend money or use services like Amazon to support the protest.
• Successful local activism highlighted: 800 residents, even in a conservative county, halt new ICE detention center in Hanover County, VA ([33:51]; [34:41]).

3. Pam Bondi and National Election "Fraud" Probes

[09:43]

• Pam Bondi appoints special prosecutor Thomas Albus (a Trump loyalist) to investigate voter fraud nationwide.
• Raises constitutional questions about special prosecutors given the precedent from the classified documents case.

4. Federal Charges for Attack on Ilhan Omar

[03:10]

• DOJ files federal assault charges against Anthony Kazmierczyk for attacking Rep. Ilhan Omar, countering right-wing conspiracy theories.
• “All of the people on the right wing…saying that she staged it. Nope. She did not.” (AG, [03:28])

5. Court Restores Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans, Haitians

[08:22]

• The Ninth Circuit rules the Trump administration violated law by ending TPS for immigrants under humanitarian protection.
• Judge Kim McLean Wardlaw: “The secretary’s actions fundamentally contradict Congress’s statutory design…” ([08:38])

6. George Floyd Echo: Minneapolis Pushback and Police Violence

[14:54]; [15:15]; [16:38]

• John Fugelsang hails the “incredible” organizing in Minneapolis and the national spotlight on ICE/CBP violence.
• "[Minneapolis activists] were able to accomplish, although there's still a lot more work that needs to be done..." (AG, [15:15])
• Focus on the leverage activists and Democrats now hold to shape federal funding around ICE/CBP reform.

7. Trump Administration Chaos & Infighting

[16:38]; [20:10]

• Fugelsang lampoons the infighting between Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, and others—“Succession, but with racism and Botox.”
• Notes increasing exposure of figures like Miller: “...a lot of Americans who’ve never learned Stephen Miller before are gonna learn his name now… America’s shortest Nazi.” (JF, [16:57])
• Discusses how institutional violence is aimed at blue cities rather than red states for political effect.
• White House faced with cracks: AFGE federal workers union (including Preddy’s) calls for resignations of Noem and Miller ([17:41]).

8. Public Video & The Power of Resistance

[20:10]; [21:58]

• “The most powerful weapon in 2026 against authoritarianism is not a gun, it is a phone.” (JF, [21:01])
• Republican narratives unravel because killings are now captured publicly, making cover-ups impossible.

9. Legal Action & Cover-ups: Lawsuits and Hidden Bodycam Footage

[23:55]

• Legal movement to unseal bodycam evidence from shootings (notably Marmar Martinez, survivor).
• Lawsuit filed by families of Trinidadian women killed in Venezuelan waters by US actions ([25:01]).
• Trump/Bondi admin’s pattern: “Kill people, call them terrorists, don’t answer questions, wrap it in a flag and dare anyone to object.” (JF, [26:22])
• Multiple ongoing cover-ups noted—bodycam, election interference, protection of “Trump’s rapist allies.”

10. Cracks in GOP & The Path Forward

[28:26]; [30:19]

• Trump admin's failures strain international ties, lose US billions in tourism, and make US less attractive to business and diplomacy.
• “They are scared now. It’s still—we’re only in the second act—but man, this is everything we predicted.” (JF, [29:16])

11. Personal Stories, Activism, Good News

[33:51]; [34:41]; [35:13]

• Listeners share local victories in stopping ICE facilities, new creative projects, mental health journeys, and pet updates.
• Sentiment: “Inspired by… you encourage listeners to find something, anything, to actively participate in as a way of coping… Creating these books has given me something tangible to hold onto during a time filled with anger, uncertainty, and grief.” (Listener submission, [36:37])

Notable Quotes

• AG: “I want them to defund ICE altogether.” ([05:01])
• Chuck Schumer: “This is the moment of truth. Congress must act to rein in ICE and end the violence.” ([05:41])
• JF: “Succession, but with racism and Botox.” ([16:57])
• JF: “The most powerful weapon in 2026 against authoritarianism is not a gun. It is a phone.” ([21:01])
• JF: “Kill people, call them terrorists, don’t answer questions, wrap it in a flag and dare anybody to object.” ([26:22])
• AG: “That’s some cult level shit.” ([30:27])
• JF: “He looks like a stress ball left in a microwave.” ([29:55]) (on Trump’s vitality)
• Listener (AM Perrin): “Inspired by that moment, I finally leaned into a lifelong dream… Creating these books has given me something tangible to hold onto…” ([36:37])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] Headlines; episode theme (ICE, government shutdown, court and DOJ news)
• [01:18] No ads in solidarity with economic blackout; details about the protest
• [03:58] Senate Dems block funding; AG and DG break down stakes, demands
• [05:41] Chuck Schumer’s “moment of truth” quote and demands for ICE reform
• [08:22] Court ruling on TPS and immigrant protections
• [09:43] Pam Bondi’s special prosecutor appointment in election “fraud” probe
• [12:29] Sentencing in Sonia Massey murder case
• [14:54–30:19] John Fugelsang segment: Minneapolis activism, administration infighting, the narrative collapse, the power of protest, and the future of resistance
• [32:57] Good news: How listeners are making a difference, listener stories

Tone & Style

• Snarky, irreverent, passionate advocacy
• Heavy on dark humor and “just the right amount of snark”; willingness to call out politicians and institutions directly
• Emphatic on solidarity, resistance, and the urgency of action

Conclusion

This episode shines as a case study in coalition resistance and grassroots activism’s impact at both national and local levels. With the “ICE Out” economic blackout taking center stage, the hosts and John Fugelsang underscore the urgency of direct action and legislative tenacity in the face of cruelty and authoritarian drift. The wins in Minneapolis and Virginia show what’s possible, and the episode closes with heartening listener stories of activism, resilience, and creativity.

For more:

• Tell Me Everything with John Fugelsang (SiriusXM, Progress 127)
• John Fugelsang’s Substack and podcast
• The Daily Beans Patreon for ad-free episodes

(Episode transcript provided by MSW Media. Good news, activism successes, and pet-of-the-week stories continue at dailybeanspod.com.)