The Daily Beans – Episode: State And Federal Release Date: June 17, 2025
Host/Authors: Allison Gill & Dana Goldberg
Produced by: MSW Media

Introduction and News Highlights

In the June 17, 2025 episode of The Daily Beans, hosts Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg dive into a spectrum of pressing state and federal issues with their characteristic blend of progressive insight and sharp wit.

Allison kicks off the episode with a rapid-fire rundown of the day's major news:

• Vance Belter Faces Federal Charges: Belter is charged with six federal felonies in connection with the assassination of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. The Hennepin County District Attorney has indicated intentions to seek first-degree murder charges.

• VA Doctors' New Refusal Rights: New regulations permit Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to refuse treatment to unmarried veterans and those who identify as Democrats.

• Gavin Newsom vs. Trump Legal Battle: California Governor Gavin Newsom has fully briefed his bid for an injunction to prevent former President Donald Trump from federalizing the National Guard, with hearings set for later in the week.

• Judicial Ruling on NIH Cuts: A federal judge has ruled former President Trump's National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding cuts as illegal.

• US Air Tankers Deployed to the Middle East: The sudden movement of US Air Force KC-135 and KC-46 aerial refueling aircraft to Europe raises alarm and speculation about underlying motives.

• Trump's G7 Missteps: President Trump has called for Russia's readmission into the G7 and made public gaffes, including misnaming a UK-US trade deal as one with the EU.

Listener Engagement: "Gay of the Day"

Allison and Dana celebrate their listeners through the "Gay of the Day" segment, showcasing influential LGBTQ+ figures and highlighting their contributions to social justice and visibility.

• Notable Mentions:
  • Sally Ride: Celebrated for her accomplishments in space and her understated identification as LGBTQ+.
  • Brian Michael Smith: The first transgender man featured on People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" list.
  • Billie Jean King & Cecilia Gentile: Recognized for their ongoing impact in their respective fields.

Dana praises the community’s engagement, noting that episodes receive nearly half a million views across social platforms, bolstering historical representation against efforts to erase these narratives.

In-Depth Coverage: Vance Belter Case

Allison and Dana provide a comprehensive analysis of the Vance Belter case, articulating the gravity and implications of his actions.

Key Developments:

• Charges and Accusations: Belter faces six federal charges, including stalking, murder, and firearms violations. He is accused of:

  • Killing Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
  • Shooting state senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.
  • Visiting homes of two other state legislators, causing fear but resulting in no further injuries.

• Legal Proceedings:

  • Hennepin County DA Action: Initially charged with second-degree murder to secure a nationwide arrest warrant, with plans to seek first-degree murder charges via a grand jury.
  • Federal Charges: The U.S. Attorney's Office has brought federal charges, which include potential death penalty considerations.

• Belter's Statement and Capture:

  • During a federal court appearance, Belter expressed financial inability to afford legal representation, leading to an appointed attorney.
  • After a prolonged manhunt involving tactical teams and helicopters, Belter was apprehended in Green Isle, Minnesota, following a handwritten confession and possession of firearms and cash.

Notable Quote:

Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney:
“[...] the second degree murder charges were filed on Saturday in order to obtain a nationwide arrest warrant.”
[07:28]

US Air Force Deployment and Trump's Foreign Policy

The sudden deployment of approximately thirty KC-135 and KC-46 aerial refueling aircraft, alongside B2 bombers to Europe, signals heightened military readiness in the Middle East amidst escalating tensions.

Discussion Points:

• Potential Joint Actions: Speculation around a possible coordinated US-Israel move against Iran, especially after recent statements urging Iran to sign nuclear deals and evacuate Tehran.

• Political Ramifications: Analysts express concern over increased militarization and the potential for unintended conflicts, emphasizing the destabilizing effect of such deployments.

Key Quote:

Allison Gill:
“This is such a bad situation.”
[05:24]

Legal Battles: Gavin Newsom vs. Trump

The episode sheds light on the ongoing legal confrontation between California Governor Gavin Newsom and former President Donald Trump regarding the federalization of the National Guard.

Highlights:

• Preliminary Injunction: Newsom's motion, fully briefed as of the episode's release, seeks to block Trump’s attempts to deploy the National Guard in California, pending the outcome of the hearing.

• Administrative Challenges: Administrative stays have delayed the hearing, prompting the hosts to promise updates in the following episode.

Federal Judge Ruling on NIH Cuts

A significant judicial decision by U.S. District Judge William Young addresses the Trump administration's executive orders to cut NIH funding for research related to racial minorities and LGBTQ+ communities.

Details:

• Judge Young's Statement:

  “...there has never been governmental racial discrimination like this. The NIH cuts... are illegal and void.”
  [14:40]

• Legal Implications: The ruling mandates the immediate restoration of funding for affected research programs, highlighting clear discrimination against marginalized groups.

• Administration’s Defense Rejected: The Department of Justice argued the cuts were policy-driven and not subject to judicial review, a stance Judge Young firmly rejected due to the discriminatory intent behind the executive orders.

VA Guidelines Discriminating against Democrats and Unmarried Veterans

In a controversial move, the VA has instituted new guidelines allowing medical professionals to refuse treatment based on political affiliation or marital status, effectively discriminating against Democrats and unmarried veterans.

Key Points:

• Affected Professionals: Guidelines extend to psychologists, dentists, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, optometrists, podiatrists, social workers, and speech therapists.

• Contradiction to Federal Law: While federal mandates require treatment regardless of race, color, religion, or sex, the new VA rules circumvent these protections by focusing on characteristics not explicitly covered by federal law.

• Implications for Veterans: Unmarried veterans or those who identify as Democrats may find themselves denied essential medical services, raising significant ethical and legal concerns.

Quote Highlight:

Allison Gill:
“If you're single, you voted for Kamala. They don't have to treat you.”
[16:41]

G7 Summit and Trump's Gaffes

President Trump's participation in the G7 summit in Alberta, Canada, was marked by diplomatic missteps and controversial statements regarding Russia.

Noteworthy Incidents:

• Russia's Readmission Plea: Trump advocated for Russia's reinstatement into the G7, attributing the Ukraine conflict to the exclusion of Russia from the group.

• Trade Deal Blunder: During a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump mistakenly referred to a UK-US trade agreement as an EU deal, causing public embarrassment.

Quotes:

Allison Gill:
“He is blaming Obama and everybody, by the way, the whole world kicking Russia out of the G8. That's why there's a war, even though it's ridiculous.”
[18:20]

Dana Goldberg:
“He just. He's just a piece of...”
[12:47]

Good News Segment

Transitioning from heavy news, Allison and Dana engage listeners with uplifting stories and personal submissions.

Featured Stories:

• Listener Achievements: Celebrating academic successes, such as a listener's completion of a Master's thesis on peacekeeping in Africa, and personal milestones like updating a daughter's birth certificate to reflect her gender identity.

• Community Engagement: Shout-outs to individuals attending protests, supporting LGBTQ+ rights, and creating positive impacts in their local communities.

• Heartwarming Submissions: Photos of pets, family moments, and expressions of solidarity among listeners, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Notable Submissions:

• Doug (Pronouns: he/him):
  “I went to my first rally in Long Beach on Saturday and it made me cry... I wore my ‘Killing Nazis’ shirt. It felt so great to be around a community.”
  [27:20]

• John (Pronouns: he/him):
  “I solved Wordle on my fourth try... sharing a pic of me with my friend Nikki. True blue liberals living in a red area.”
  [28:59]

• Christine:
  “Shout out to my 11-year-old for attending our first protest in Reston, Virginia. ‘Disney has the only royalty I need.’”
  [32:18]

Conclusion

Allison and Dana wrap up the episode by reinforcing their commitment to providing both critical news analysis and positive community stories. They tease upcoming episodes featuring guests like Representative Sarah Jacobs and investigative reporting on affiliated groups.

Closing Remarks:

Allison Gill:
“Please take care of yourselves, take care of each other, take care of the planet, and take care of your family.”
[39:35]

Notable Quotes Overview

• Mary Moriarty on Belter's Charges:
  “The second degree murder charges were filed on Saturday in order to obtain a nationwide arrest warrant.”
  [07:28]

• Judge William Young on NIH Cuts:
  “This represents racial discrimination and discrimination against America's LGBTQ community. That is what this is.”
  [14:40]

• Allison Gill on VA Discrimination:
  “If you're single, you voted for Kamala. They don't have to treat you.”
  [16:41]

• Allison Gill on G7 Russia Statement:
  “He is blaming Obama and everybody... That's why there's a war, even though it's ridiculous.”
  [18:20]

The Daily Beans continues to be a vital source for listeners seeking informed, progressive commentary on current events, enriched by community voices and stories of resilience.