Strange Things Afoot (feat. John Fugelsang)

The Daily Beans

Published: Fri Jul 18 2025

Friday, July 18th, 2025 Today, Senate Judiciary Democrats walk out of the room after Republicans violate the rules and push Emil Bove’s confirmation forward without debate; Judge Crenshaw sets a January 2026 trial date for Kilmar Abrego - provided he’s not detained and disappeared to a third country first; National Guard troops are questioning their deployment to Los Angeles as morale plummets; Trump’s Justice Department is recommending ONE DAY in prison for the officer that murdered Breonna Taylor; Senator Ron Wyden has uncovered over $1.5B in bank transactions from clients to Jeffrey Epstein; a new assessment shows Trump only destroyed one of the three Iranian nuclear sites; Trump has been diagnosed with CVI; and Allison and Dana deliver the good news.

Summary

Summary of The Daily Beans – Episode "Strange Things Afoot (feat. John Fugelsang)"

Release Date: July 18, 2025

In this episode of The Daily Beans, hosted by Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg of MSW Media, the conversation navigates through a series of unsettling political and social developments in the United States. Featuring insights from comedian and activist John Fugelsang, the episode delves into contentious Senate Judiciary actions, high-stakes investigations into Jeffrey Epstein's financial dealings, troubling reports on the National Guard's deployment in Los Angeles, and unexpected revelations about former President Donald Trump's health. The hosts blend progressive news with their characteristic snark, providing listeners with a comprehensive analysis of current events.

1. Senate Judiciary Committee Turmoil ([00:00 - 08:56])

The episode opens with alarming news from the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Democrats walked out in protest after Republicans advanced Emil Bovey's nomination without adhering to established debate rules.

Allison Gill [00:00]: "Senate Judiciary Democrats walked out of the room after Republicans violated the rules and pushed Emil Bovey's confirmation forward without debate."

This action raises concerns about the fairness of the confirmation process for Bovey, Trump's personal defense lawyer, and Jeanine Pirro, nominated as U.S. Attorney for D.C. The Democratic strategy involves appealing to the Senate parliamentarian to potentially void the vote, while Republicans maintain that the nominations can proceed.

Allison Gill [08:56]: "Politico, Bloomberg, Raw Story, NPR. But not a peep from the New York Times or the Washington Post."

The hosts express skepticism about major outlets' silence on the issue, highlighting potential biases and the challenges in getting comprehensive coverage.

2. Iranian Nuclear Site Assessment ([08:56 - 10:13])

Shifting focus to international affairs, the discussion covers a recent U.S. assessment indicating that only one of the three targeted Iranian nuclear enrichment sites was largely destroyed.

Allison Gill [08:52]: "We should keep you up to date on what's going on with that."

This partial success suggests that Iran may recover its nuclear capabilities more swiftly than anticipated, raising concerns about regional security and the effectiveness of U.S. military actions.

3. DOJ's Lenient Recommendation in Breonna Taylor Case ([10:13 - 15:04])

A particularly contentious topic is the Department of Justice's recommendation for a mere one-day prison sentence for Brett Hankison, the officer convicted of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights.

Dana Goldberg [11:03]: "Recommending just one day in prison sends the unmistakable message that white officers can violate the civil rights of black Americans with near total impunity."

The hosts vehemently criticize the DOJ's decision, emphasizing its implications for racial justice and police accountability.

4. National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles ([15:04 - 30:07])

Concerns escalate as reports emerge about low morale and internal conflicts within the California National Guard deployed in Los Angeles. Soldiers express dissatisfaction with the mission's purpose, particularly regarding immigration crackdowns, and report poor conditions leading to disruptive behaviors.

National Guard Official [15:04]: "The morale injuries of this operation I think will be enduring."

Alison Gill underscores the significant financial expenditure juxtaposed with the reported inefficacies and negative impact on troop wellbeing.

Allison Gill [15:11]: "140 something million dollars for them to play video games and be away from their families."

5. Senator Ron Wyden's Investigation into Epstein's Financial Network ([16:18 - 20:37])

Highlighting a major investigative breakthrough, Senator Ron Wyden reveals over $1.5 billion in suspicious transactions linked to Jeffrey Epstein. These funds flowed through major banks, suggesting a complex web of financial malpractice potentially connected to Epstein's sex trafficking operations.

Dana Goldberg [18:46]: "What a little bit of good Trouble."

The investigation exposes transactions involving esteemed banking institutions like JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, and Bank of America, raising questions about regulatory failures and complicity.

6. Wall Street Journal's Revelatory Article on Trump and Epstein ([20:37 - 26:08])

A bombshell revelation comes from the Wall Street Journal, which uncovers Donald Trump's connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The article includes a 2003 birthday album prepared by Ghislaine Maxwell, featuring letters and memorabilia from notable figures, including Trump.

Alison Gill [22:22]: "The letter concludes, 'happy birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret.'"

Trump vehemently denies authorship of the incriminating letter and threatens legal action against the publication.

Donald Trump [22:23]: "I never wrote a picture in my life. It's not me. It's a fake thing."

This revelation intensifies scrutiny over Trump's past associations and possible involvement in Epstein's illicit activities.

7. Trump's Health Disclosure ([28:56 - 31:18])

In an unprecedented move, the White House discloses that Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition affecting blood flow from the legs to the heart.

Dana Goldberg [30:07]: "And you have to kind of understand that all of the distractions in the past 48 hours... are still part of the story of the Epstein files."

The admission is met with skepticism regarding its timing and implications, leading to speculations about underlying health issues previously concealed from the public.

Allison Gill [28:54]: "So it's not like they're making up a medical concern. Right. This is an actual medical thing that's been happening to him for a long time."

8. Fugal Saying Friday with John Fugelsang ([35:17 - 54:01])

Comedian and activist John Fugelsang joins the conversation to discuss the overwhelming focus on Epstein-related stories in the media. He draws parallels to the media saturation during the O.J. Simpson case, emphasizing the repetitive nature of news cycles that may detract from other significant issues.

John Fugelsang [35:27]: "This is the Jeffrey Epstein Story is that band we used to go see in college, and now suddenly they're mainstream."

Fugelsang criticizes the administration's handling of scandals, suggesting that Trump's distractions are a tactic to divert attention from more severe allegations.

John Fugelsang [50:25]: "The real villain here is the Republican Party. All but one voted to shield those patterns."

He advocates for sustained political pressure and media vigilance to ensure accountability and transparency.

9. Good News Segment: Listener Highlights ([55:37 - 66:33])

To conclude on a positive note, Alison Gill and Dana Goldberg present heartwarming stories submitted by listeners. Highlights include:

Julie's Story [57:47]: Celebrating her mother's 100th birthday, reflecting on resilience through decades of adversity.

Julie [57:47]: "If she can endure all of that, we can endure all of this."
Dana's Rescue Dogs: Showcasing her adorable brindle dogs, Ubu and Ranger, symbolizing hope and companionship.

Dana Goldberg [59:05]: "Both brindles with complementary color palettes."
Kipster's Comics Place [62:35]: Praising a local comic book store as a community hub that supported customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kipster [62:36]: "The Comics Place has become a welcoming and supportive community to all who enter."

These stories serve as a reminder of the resilience and positivity thriving amidst challenging times.

Notable Quotes:

Allison Gill [00:00]: "Senate Judiciary Democrats walked out of the room after Republicans violated the rules and pushed Emil Bovey's confirmation forward without debate."
Dana Goldberg [11:03]: "Recommending just one day in prison sends the unmistakable message that white officers can violate the civil rights of black Americans with near total impunity."
John Fugelsang [35:27]: "This is the Jeffrey Epstein Story is that band we used to go see in college, and now suddenly they're mainstream."
Allison Gill [22:22]: "The letter concludes, 'happy birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret.'"
Allison Gill [28:54]: "So it's not like they're making up a medical concern. Right. This is an actual medical thing that's been happening to him for a long time."

This episode of The Daily Beans offers a critical examination of significant national issues, blending investigative reporting with engaging dialogue and community-focused positivity.