The Daily Beans — “Trump’s Missing Files”
Host: Dana Goldberg (standing in for Allison Gill)
Date: February 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into explosive legal and political developments: the failed grand jury indictment of six Democratic lawmakers who urged the military to resist unlawful orders; new revelations regarding suppressed files in the Epstein investigation—especially those that pertain to Donald Trump; evolving scandals involving Rep. Tony Gonzalez; the grassroots defeat of a Trump-era ICE detention facility in New Hampshire; and the mounting controversy over the Justice Department withholding Epstein-related documents. As always, host Dana Goldberg offers sharp commentary and an undercurrent of hope, urging activism amid ongoing outrage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Failed Prosecution of Six Democratic Lawmakers (03:48–16:30)

• Summary:

  • Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney (and Trump loyalist), has dropped the prosecution of six Democratic lawmakers who posted a social media video encouraging military/intelligence members to disobey unlawful orders.
  • A D.C. grand jury unanimously rejected the indictment attempt, finding no probable cause.
  • The lawmakers involved, all with military/intelligence backgrounds: Sens. Alyssa Slotkin (MI), Mark Kelly (AZ), Reps. Maggie Goodlander (NH), Jason Crow (CO), Chris d’Luzio and Chrissy Houlahan (PA).

• Commentary:

  • The failed prosecution is widely seen as a politicized use of the DOJ to target Democratic lawmakers for protected free speech, described as “purely political” and evidence “the guardrails that existed during Trump’s first administration... have been eroded.”
  • Trump accused the lawmakers of “sedition at the highest level,” even suggesting the death penalty, but the grand jury found zero evidence of a crime.
  • Dana Goldberg: “Every accusation’s a confession.” [06:56]

• Notable Quotes:

  • Sen. Alyssa Slotkin: “Whether or not Pirro succeeded in this is not the point... it’s that President Trump continues to weaponize our justice system against his perceived enemies.” [09:57]
  • Attorney Abby Lowell (for Rep. Crow): Trump’s abuse of the justice system is “chilling and indefensible,” describing the indictment push as “a breathtaking and unprecedented level of prosecutorial overreach and misuse of power.” [12:48]
  • Dana: “All that’s gone out the fucking window.” (re: DOJ/White House firewall) [10:58]

2. New Epstein Revelations—Suppressed Files & DOJ Failures (16:30–30:45)

• Summary:

  • CBS News uncovered a 2015 document showing a DEA investigation into Epstein’s suspicious money transfers, suggesting criminal conduct "way beyond pedophilia and sex trafficking."
  • Multiple other federal investigations were ongoing, including ICE and FBI inquiries, with numerous redactions—most targets’ names hidden except that of a female survivor.
  • The DOJ is accused of failing to properly redact victim names while shielding influential men.
  • Senator Ron Wyden (OR): “It appears Epstein was involved in criminal activity that went way beyond pedophilia and sex trafficking, which makes it even more outrageous that Pam Bondi is sitting on several million unreleased files.” [20:52]

• Commentary:

  • Dana: “They are throwing so many of these women under the bus to protect powerful men. It’s disgusting.” [22:50]

3. Rep. Tony Gonzalez Scandal (21:03–25:14)

• Summary:

  • Texas Republican Tony Gonzalez faces growing resignation calls after explicit texts emerged showing an affair with staffer Regina Santos Avias (who later died by suicide).
  • At least five Republican House members have called for him to resign; Congressman has denied allegations.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson maintains a non-committal stance, arguing investigations must “play out.”

• Notable Quote:

  • Speaker Johnson: “If the accusation of something is going to be the litmus test... you’ll have a lot of people who would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress.” [23:59]
  • Dana: “Why are there so many fucking nefarious accusations against Congress, Mike Johnson, that’s what I’d like to know.” [24:21]

4. Grassroots Win: ICE Facility Blocked in New Hampshire (25:14–29:48)

• Summary:

  • Trump’s massive ICE detention warehouse plan in Merrimack, NH, was abandoned after staunch local opposition and protest from residents and officials.
  • The project was part of a $38 billion initiative to expand detention, but concerns over local impact led to pushback from Democrats and some Republicans.

• Notable Quote:

  • Activist Kim Herdman Shapiro: “Today the people of Merrimack and all of New Hampshire proved that organized local voices are more powerful than a federal agency’s ruthless expansion. This is a victory for us and all New England, but it is not the end of the fight.” [29:12]
  • Dana: “These local voices, these organized protests, are making a difference... your voices matter. Continue to show up in the streets.” [29:33]

5. DOJ Withholding and Removing Epstein Files Connecting Trump (30:00–35:09)

• Summary:

  • NPR reports DOJ withheld and removed files from the Epstein public database—particularly those mentioning accusations against Donald Trump, including FBI interviews and survivor notes.
  • House Oversight’s Rep. Robert Garcia (CA) confirms illegal withholding by DOJ, and Democrats are opening a parallel investigation.
  • Two accusers allege abuse by Trump as a minor; their files vanished or were censored from the public database despite laws requiring release (with the only redaction being victim names).
  • Interviews detail instances where Epstein introduced underage girls to Trump, with chilling recounts of their experiences at Mar-a-Lago.

• Commentary & Quotes:

  • Dana: “They had one fucking job to do. Everything else is mandated by law. They’re supposed to release the files in their entirety with the only redactions being the victims’ names to protect them. And they are protecting so many of these guilty parties, it’s absolutely disgusting. But we’re not letting up.” [34:35]
  • Attorney Robert Glassman (for an Epstein accuser): “The DOJ was ordered to release information to the public, to be transparent about Epstein and Maxwell’s criminal enterprise network. Instead, they released the names of courageous victims... whether the disclosures were inadvertent or not, they had one job to do here and they didn’t do it.” [34:14]

6. Wrap-up / Uplift for Listeners (35:09–46:00+)

• Notable Tone Shift:

  • Dana closes the heavy news segment with, “Not much of the news makes me joyful these days. But you do. It’s your good news submissions that make me happy.” [34:57]

• Transition to community submissions and the “Good News” section, including activism advice, stories of hope, and adorable pet pictures (not detailed here).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On DOJ politicization:
  • “All that’s gone out the fucking window.” [10:58]
  • “Every accusation’s a confession.” [06:56]
• On activism:
  • "Continue to show up in the streets and continue to be loud." [29:33]
• On DOJ suppression of Epstein evidence:
  • "They had one fucking job to do." [34:35]
• On the power of persistence:
  • “Let’s keep our foot on the gas and make sure we do not stop talking about this, just out of respect for the victims and to hold these people in power accountable.” [35:06]

Important Timestamps

• 03:48 — Attempted prosecution of six Democratic lawmakers; grand jury’s unanimous rejection.
• 16:30 — Deep dive: Jeffrey Epstein DEA probe, law enforcement failures, suppressed evidence.
• 21:03 — Rep. Tony Gonzalez scandal, growing GOP calls for resignation.
• 25:14 — Merrimack, NH ICE detention facility defeated by community organizing.
• 30:00 — DOJ removal/suppression of Epstein files relating to Trump, activist and legislative response.
• 34:57 — Emotional close: "Not much of the news makes me joyful these days. But you do..." & transition to “Good News” segment.

Tone & Style

• Language:
  Direct, irreverent, pointed, with a blend of outrage, dark humor, and hope.
• Approach:
  Deeply progressive, explicitly anti-Trump, fiercely pro-justice and transparency, and strongly encouraging of grassroots activism.
• Audience engagement:
  Encourages listener participation and activism, ending with messages of hope and community.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In:

This episode provides important context on Trump administration overreach, DOJ misconduct, and the sustained grassroots resistance making a difference nationwide. It's an unvarnished look at justice perverted, the ongoing fight for accountability, and the importance of staying engaged—for the sake of democracy and the survivors of powerful men’s crimes.

Whether you’re following the Epstein saga, keeping up with state and federal scandals, or simply looking to turn your outrage into action, this episode brings both the facts and the fire.