The Daily Beans

Michael Harriot, journalist, historian, author of Black AF History, and creator of Drapetomaniax, joins the conversation. They explore Black-centered approaches to American history, the sources that recover overlooked perspectives, and the deliberate whitewashing of the past. Harriot also discusses reclaiming “drapetomania” through comedy, music, and storytelling, alongside major legal and political headlines.

Norm Eisen, lawyer, author, and former Obama ethics counsel, joins a sharp discussion of Trump’s classified documents fight. They explore DOJ’s appeal, the Presidential Records Act, executive privilege, and Judge Dearie’s demands for proof of declassification. The conversation also covers alleged bribery tied to Joel Greenberg and the lawsuit over DeSantis’s migrant flights, with a dose of good news.

John Fugelsang, comedian, political commentator, and SiriusXM radio personality, joins a wide-ranging discussion of Trump’s political unraveling, the Iran campaign’s legal and strategic fallout, and proposed changes to human-research consent rules. The show also covers an ICE agent’s arrest, Turkey’s LGBTQ+ crackdown, threats to historic sites, Kennedy Center litigation, and uplifting stories from an active community.

Turkey’s government invokes “family protection” to target LGBTQ+ communities, while Pride bans, raids, and police violence spark mass arrests and international solidarity. The discussion also highlights ongoing resistance and Seattle’s expansion of anti-discrimination protections for diverse relationship structures, including polyamory, pansexuality, and asexuality.

Scott Greytak, an anti-corruption attorney and Transparency International U.S. leader, joins the conversation on crypto legislation and Trump’s conflicts of interest. They examine ethics loopholes, money laundering risks, weak enforcement, and how dirty money can influence elections. Plus, major headlines on tariffs, inflation, Israel, Iran, Canada, and artists protesting censorship.

Kristen Clarke, civil rights attorney and NAACP General Counsel, joins the conversation on the Supreme Court’s defeat of Trump’s mail ballot scheme. They examine state control of elections, the NAACP’s legal strategy, and the case for Supreme Court term limits and ethics reform. Plus, Kennedy Center turmoil, crypto legislation blocked over Trump family profiteering concerns, and uplifting stories of grassroots activism.

Adam Klasfeld, a legal and investigative journalist behind All Rise News, joins the conversation on Kremlin-linked money reportedly funding Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding. They explore Russia, Ukraine, Epstein connections, potential blackmail concerns, and how subpoenas could uncover financial and communications records. The discussion also touches on voting data resistance, detention abuses, environmental rollbacks, and Mitch McConnell’s return.

A Justice Department appeal seeks to revive a controversial slush fund and tax-immunity deal. Iran-backed Houthis seize Red Sea strongholds while drone strikes disrupt a Saudi oil pipeline. The Pentagon pressures downed airmen into a televised interview, and Chinese satellite imagery is tied to a deadly strike on U.S. troops. Plus, Trump rejects calls to slow AI, and a judge blocks FEMA cuts.

Mike Johnson backs Brandon Herrera despite his offensive online persona, sparking a sharp discussion about political extremism, moral contradictions, and media false equivalence. The conversation also explores how Democrats can push back on loaded questions, followed by a playful Moxie Moment and listener-submitted baby and animal photos.

A legal battle over Trump’s $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund takes a bizarre turn. Allison Gill revisits the retaliation that led to her lawsuit, examines the fund’s creation and legal vulnerabilities, and breaks down Todd Blanche’s attempt to declare it dead. Then the DOJ appeals to revive the arrangement, only to call the fund moot an hour later.