Podcast appearances and mentions of Paul Rieckhoff

Paul Rieckhoff is stuck in Florida — airports shut down, snowstorm paralyzing the Northeast — but he's not going quiet. In this special episode, Paul breaks down Trump's State of the Union address in real time, delivering the sharpest analysis you won't hear anywhere else. The speech clocked in as the longest State of the Union ever delivered. Trump spent exactly three minutes on Iran — roughly 90 minutes in. Paul calls it what it is: a missed opportunity, a half-made case, and a failure of presidential responsibility. The core issue isn't whether military action against Iran is on the table — it clearly is. The pieces are in place. The forces are arrayed. Paul knows what that looks like firsthand; he was in Iraq when the U.S. went to war in 2003. What's missing from Trump's address is the one thing every commander-in-chief owes the American people before pulling the trigger: an honest accounting of the cost. No mention of consulting Congress. No coalition of allies. No preparation for what a long conflict — with real American casualties — could mean. Trump's approval rating among independents sits at 26%, down ten points from last year. That number tells the story. Then there's Ukraine. The United States just abstained from a United Nations vote affirming support for Ukraine — standing alongside Saudi Arabia. On the four-year anniversary of Russia's invasion. Paul, who founded American Veterans for Ukraine, doesn't mince words: it's a black mark on America's record, a moment that demanded moral clarity, and a president who chose silence instead. Finally, New York City. Paul weighs in on the viral NYPD snowball incident — where officers were pelted with ice by a mob — and the new mayor's stunning failure to stand with his police department. Paul breaks down why this moment matters far beyond one incident, and what it signals about a mayor who came into office with the lowest trust from the NYPD in recent memory. This is Independent Americans: straight talk, no party loyalty, and the five I's to keep you connected. Stay vigilant. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Two Medals of Honor Awarded. Dem's Spanberger Response Better Than Usual. Cuban Government Shoots 4 Americans on a Speedboat. Obama Legacy's Signature a Slam Dunk. The State of the Union is over — but the real story is what Trump didn't say. In Episode 449, Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the longest SOTU in American history: two hours of pageantry, 103 standing ovations, and a president who gave 20 seconds to Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion while quietly beating the war drums on Iran. Paul cuts through the noise to find the moments that actually mattered — including a 100-year-old Korean War hero finally receiving his Medal of Honor, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer honored for saving 169 lives, and Army veteran George Redis, detained by ICE and then released without a phone call or a lawyer, sitting in the chamber as a living indictment of an out-of-control federal agency. While most Americans tuned out before 11 PM, Paul stayed locked in. He breaks down the Democratic response — led by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer who delivered arguably the strongest opposition address in recent memory — and the organized Democratic boycott that sent dozens of members to a counter-programming event on the National Mall. He also zeroes in on the Epstein files, where Representative Thomas Massie is asking the question millions of Americans want answered: why are there still no arrests in the United States while resignations pile up worldwide? Then it's below the radar: breaking news out of Cuba, where the Cuban government shot four Americans aboard a Florida-based speedboat. Paul connects the dots — Trump's pressure campaign, Rubio's long-stated goal of regime change, and how this incident could become the pretext for the next military strike. Back at home, he doesn't let up on ICE, playing the raw interview with Elia Rahmet — the woman dragged from her car in Minneapolis, both shoulders torn — and demanding accountability by name. Plus: Mayor Adams failing the NYPD in Washington Square Park, Tommy Tuberville earning his "Senator Redneck" title again, and something good: the Obama Presidential Library's basketball court and Bruce Springsteen bringing Tom Morello on every stop of his tour. Paul also shares big news — he'll be appearing on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert in the coming weeks, and Sebastian Junger is confirmed for next week's episode. If you believe America's future belongs to independent thinkers, not party loyalists — this is your show. Country over party. People over politics. Stay vigilant. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump's Approval Hits New Low with Independents Ahead of State of the Union. Whistleblower Blasts ICE Training. 4 Years of the Ukraine War.  Women's Hockey Declines Trump Invite.   For decades, Mike Duggan was a Democrat. He ran Detroit, guided the city through bankruptcy, cut crime to 60-year lows, and built 6,000 housing units in one of America's most storied cities. Then he looked at what was happening in Lansing — Republicans and Democrats unable to speak to each other, state budgets arriving three months late, schools opening without funding — and made a decision that's shaking up Michigan politics: he declared his independence. Duggan joins Paul Rieckhoff on Independent Americans for an extended conversation about why he walked away from the party that shaped his career, what it actually takes to run as an independent, and why the latest polling has him in a dead-even three-way race for governor of Michigan — tied with both the leading Democrat and Republican. He talks about the unions that crossed over to endorse him, his decision to build a campaign on house calls rather than party machinery, and why he believes the Democrat and the Republican are the real spoilers in this race — not him. Paul and Mike also go head-to-head on the hardest issues: tariffs devastating Michigan's auto industry, ICE operations in Detroit and across the country, the State of the Union, and how an independent governor deals with a president who has picked fights with governors of both parties. Duggan's answers aren't always what you'd expect — and Paul doesn't let him off the hook. This is what independent politics looks like in real time. Hard choices and hard questions. But if the independent wave hits this fall on Election Day, this race in Michigan will be the forward edge. And you probably heard it here first.  -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Iran Attacks Still Loom. Vets Sue Trump Over His Stupid Arch. More ICE Violence. Lessons from Ukraine's Drone War for Europe. Vets & VFW Blast Collins. Celebrating the Olympics. Stuck in Tampa while a historic snowpocalypse buries much of America, Army vet and Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff rips through a wild 48 hours in politics, national security and sports—and what it all means for you. From a bomb-cyclone shutting down the Northeast to Trump boasting he can “destroy countries” while massing U.S. firepower around Iran, Paul tracks rising risks of war with Iran, unrest in Mexico after cartel boss El Mencho's killing, and covert strikes off Venezuela in a dangerous new phase of unchecked presidential power.​ He digs into ICE's culture of impunity—from the killing of a U.S. citizen in Texas to an 80-year-old lawyer slammed to the ground in California—and why he believes the agency's broken culture can't be fixed and must be shut down, while exposing FBI Director Kash Patel's Olympics “boondoggle,” beer-chugging locker-room photo op, and Trump's “boondoggliest” cabinet. Paul also spotlights real pushback: veterans forcing the VA to halt a radical benefits rule, lawsuits to stop Trump's absurd 250-foot arch that would block the view from Arlington, and Ukraine's three-year fight against Russia and drone warfare that's reshaping modern combat.​ And there's still room for hope: Alysa Liu's joyful figure-skating gold, dominant U.S. women's hockey, and a legendary U.S. men's overtime win offer a powerful alternative face of America—and a reminder of the toughness and leadership of American women athletes under political pressure. No guests, no fluff—just a rapid-fire, independent briefing to start your week, whether you're digging out from the snow or under the Florida sun, with the independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact you expect from Independent Americans—and a call to look out for your neighbors, stand with veterans and Ukraine, and stay vigilant. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tackling ICE Accountability. Trump's Latest Iran War Could Happen Any Minute Now. Tariffs Harm to Wisconsin Farmers.  Wisconsin's 6th District hasn't elected anyone but a Republican to Congress since 1967. But Mike Thurow — a union fire captain, hazmat team commander, and father of four — thinks the district isn't red or blue. It's fed up. Thurow recently declared his independent candidacy for Congress, and his message is simple: Washington is burning, and politicians from both parties are watching. As a trained firefighter, he says his job is to show up, do the work, and never ask who you're going to save before you save them. That's the exact opposite of what he sees in Congress right now — and he's running to change it. Paul and Mike cover the top stories shaking the country this week. ICE and the line between good public safety and trust, masked agents without badges destroying community trust that makes any law enforcement possible — and that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's disqualifying conduct. With ships moving into position and Trump threatening strikes on Iran, the Constitution requiring a congressional declaration of war, and Trump's broader record: "I think we've dropped bombs on seven different countries at this point. That's not no more foreign wars." Thurow is running in a district that went hard for Trump — and he gets why. He understands the rage, the frustration with a two-party system that's been bought and paid for by corporations and billionaires while working people get left behind. He's not taking corporate PAC money. He's not interested in party bosses. He's a union firefighter who taught hazmat response to every fire department in the district and says signatures will come easy because the people already know him — and they're ready for an off-ramp. As he puts it: "The most patriotic thing you can do is call out when we're falling short of our principles." This is the latest in IA's ongoing Meet the Independent Candidate Series. Mike Thurow represents the kind of leader this show and millions of Americans have been calling for — someone with real-world experience, real accountability, and zero interest in which jersey you're wearing. If you want a firefighter in Congress, head to thurowforcongress.com to donate, volunteer, and help get him on the ballot. Signatures open in April — Wisconsin voters, your moment is coming. -WATCH video of this episode on our YouTube channel. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ICE, Noem and The War on Free Elections. Ukraine Won the Olympics. Prince Andrew Arrested in England Over Epstein Ties. Hegseth, Tuberville Continue to Embrace Dumb Ideas. Spring Training a Homerun. The drumbeats of war are growing louder. In this solo episode of Independent Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff reports that President Trump has signaled the U.S. military could strike Iran within ten days — with zero congressional authorization, zero public debate, and zero accountability. Congress is rolling over, America's sons and daughters are in harm's way, and the American people deserve a vote. Meanwhile at home, Paul holds nothing back on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who reportedly pulled a Coast Guard search-and-rescue aircraft away from a missing 21-year-old service member to prioritize a deportation flight, and on ICE's escalating cruelty — including a nine-year-old girl detained in San Antonio for eight months and the heartbreaking death of Ophelia Torres, a 16-year-old who fought cancer while her father was held by ICE. These are not statistics. Paul refuses to let their stories disappear. Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth's culture war rages on. Paul breaks down Hegseth's move to block military members from enrolling at Harvard, Duke, Johns Hopkins, and dozens more elite universities — followed by the VA's decision to strip veterans of their post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at those same schools. Denmark, one of America's most steadfast NATO allies, now views the U.S. as an adversary, with 60% of Danes saying so. Paul also covers Venezuela strikes without congressional approval, the staggering losses in Ukraine, and a personal word about the courage of Stephen Colbert and the growing chorus of ordinary Americans pushing back. Paul closes on something good: spring training. He was at Yankees practice in Tampa Bay this morning, where his boys got balls signed by Aaron Judge — proof that community, access, and joy are still very much alive. Episode 445 ends with a clear mission: country over party, people over politics. If you're among the 45% of Americans who call themselves independent, this is your show. Stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on our YouTube channel. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reviving the Citizen Soldier Ethos. War Face vs Society. Remembering the Founder's Vision. Lessons Learned in Ukraine and Afghanistan. Army Ranger Adrian Bonenberger has just thrown his hat in the ring for Governor of Connecticut — as an independent. In a wide-ranging conversation with host Paul Rieckhoff, Bonenberger unveils the centerpiece of his campaign: reviving the Connecticut State Guard as a voluntary, citizen-soldier force that would decentralize defense, create meaningful service opportunities for ordinary Americans, and counter the overreach of a federal government that has increasingly turned law enforcement into a militarized tool against its own citizens. The two combat veterans pull no punches on ICE — comparing its enforcement culture to the military's "warrior ethos" and explaining why deploying a kill-or-be-killed mindset against civilians is not just dangerous, but a fundamental betrayal of the founders' vision. Bonenberger draws on his experiences training troops in Afghanistan and volunteer fighters in Ukraine to make the case that America's civil-military divide is a national security vulnerability — and that a voluntary state guard is the constitutional remedy hiding in plain sight. Bonenberger also reflects on post-industrial New England, why Congress is effectively unfixable, ballot access hurdles facing independent candidates, and why he believes the governor's office is where real change can happen on day one. About Adrian Bonenberger: Adrian Bonenberger is an Army Ranger, Afghanistan combat veteran, journalist, and author. He co-founded American Veterans for Ukraine alongside Paul Rieckhoff and Bonnie Carroll and has lectured at Springfield College in Massachusetts. He is now running for Governor of Connecticut as an independent. -WATCH video of this episode on our YouTube channel. -Learn more and support Adrian's candidacy for Governor of Connecticut here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is a special collaboration between Independent Americans and Open Primaries, featuring two of the most compelling independent Senate candidates in the country. Todd Achilles is a former US tank commander, Idaho state representative, and tech executive now running for US Senate in Idaho. Ty Pinkins served over 20 years in the Army including three combat tours in Iraq where he earned the Bronze Star. After earning his law degree from Georgetown, he returned to the Mississippi Delta to fight for his community—and now he's running for US Senate. Both are running as independents. Both are military veterans who put country over party. And both have a strategy that goes far beyond just winning their own races. The conversation tackles the biggest questions facing independent candidates: How do you counter the "spoiler" narrative? How do you compete against unlimited party money? Why won't the media cover independent campaigns? And most importantly—what happens when you actually win? The answer to that last question is where it gets interesting. With four independent veterans running competitive Senate races in 2026 (Todd in Idaho, Ty in Mississippi, Dan Osborn in Nebraska, and Brian Bengs in South Dakota), they have the potential to create an independent "fulcrum" in the Senate—denying either party a majority and forcing both sides to negotiate with principled independents on issues like campaign finance reform, stock trading bans, and open primaries. Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Independent Veterans of America (IVA) and host of Independent Americans, explains why veterans are uniquely positioned to lead this movement: they're country-first, they understand sacrifice, and when they served, they wore America's jersey—not a red or blue one. This episode also features insights from John Opdycke, founder and president of Open Primaries, who has been fighting for election reform for decades and sees independent veterans as the breakthrough this movement needs. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -WATCH video of this episode on our YouTube channel. -Read the entire op-ed here and share this episode with someone that needs to hear it. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special episode, Paul Rieckhoff reads an op-ed he co-authored with John Opdycke that challenges the narrative that independent voters don't matter. Despite new Gallup polling showing independents now represent 45% of all American voters—the highest number recorded in modern history—the political establishment continues to dismiss them as "leaners" who are really just partisans in disguise, or "spoilers" who siphon votes from legitimate candidates. Paul unpacks why this dismissive narrative persists and traces it back to Ross Perot's explosive 1992 presidential campaign, when 20 million Americans went off-script and forced both parties to pay attention. The Perot movement produced a balanced budget, the Contract with America, and Clintonian triangulation—and terrified the DC establishment in the process. Today, 10,000 Americans switch their registration from Democrat or Republican to Independent every single week. Five independents are running for U.S. Senate this fall, with over 100 independent candidates expected across all levels of government. A majority of Americans now support open primaries that allow non-party voters to participate in publicly funded elections. The independent movement isn't just growing—it's ready to lead. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -WATCH video of this episode on our YouTube channel. -Read the entire Oped here and share this episode with someone that needs to hear it. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Most Dangerous Thing Trump Can Do. Why Paul Takes Cold Showers, Coaches Youth Football and Watches FallOut From Paul: “Chuck gave me the time and space to really lay it all out. From Trump's plans for ICE and the Pentagon, to the legacy of Vietnam in politics, to what I'm building for independent vet candidates with IVA and in independent media with my show. And, we talk football, morning routines, FallOut, and if I'll ever run for office. It's smart, fast and fun. And if you dig my show, I think you'll enjoy and appreciate it.Happy weekend people!” We've got a great bonus episode for you, featuring Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff's appearance on the Chuck Toddcast. You know Paul from this show and probably cable news, but you might not know that for the past twenty years he has been one of America's most fierce advocates for veterans since founding Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Now, as host of the Independent Americans podcast, he's mobilizing a different kind of army—independent veterans ready to run for office and reject both major parties. In this wide-ranging conversation, Chuck and Paul explore why over 50% of veterans identify as political independents, how Pete Hegseth is transforming military culture in dangerous ways, and why the Pentagon was Trump's first strategic target for a reason. They discuss the troubling parallels between ICE recruitment tactics and military messaging, the chilling effect on dissent among military retirees, and why veterans like Mark Kelly are uniquely positioned to push back. Paul breaks down his Independent Veterans of America initiative, which is recruiting 100 candidates this fall—including potential Senate runs in Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, and South Dakota. He argues that one independent veteran senator could become the most powerful member of the Senate, and explains why breaking the two-party stranglehold starts with veterans who already wore camouflage instead of red or blue. They also dig into the Vietnam generation's political scars, why no Vietnam veteran ever became president, and how the all-volunteer military has disconnected most Americans from the human cost of war. Plus: football as democracy, cold showers as discipline, and why Fallout on Amazon Prime might be the most relevant show for understanding corporate power in 2026. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

School Phone Bans. School Vouchers & Home School's Dark Side. COVID's Damage to Students. Epstein & Trump's Broken Culture Where No Means Yes. Australia's Social Media Experiment. LGBTQ Kids in the Crosshairs.   These are really wild and stressful times for everyone. And if you have a child in your life, or care about kids, or just care about yourself, this is a special pod that you need to hear or watch.  Trump has been at war with the media, the Pentagon, and Democrats—but there's also been a secret war on our children. And it's been supercharged by ICE. One in four kids in American public schools has a parent who's an immigrant, and right now those children are afraid to go to school. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has gotten little scrutiny while moving forward with plans to totally dismantle the Department of Education. Meanwhile, our kids are still processing COVID trauma, navigating an unregulated tech landscape, and coping with mental health challenges, suicide risk and basic day-to-day stress that touches every family. Especially if you're a parent—and an especially if you're about to head out on winter break with them—you should check out this show and take it with you. In this vital conversation, Paul Rieckhoff sits down with Anya Kamenetz—author of The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children's Lives, writer of the Substack newsletter The Golden Hour, and one of America's leading voices on child well-being. They discuss the impact of ICE enforcement on school attendance, the strategic attack on public education, cell phone bans in schools, Australia's social media age restrictions, youth suicide trends, and how parents can cope while raising kids in a political combat zone. And how kids are surviving in real combat zones like Ukraine—and how we can all better cope with all that is coming at us right now.  Anya brings clarity, compassion, and actionable wisdom to one of the most underreported crises in America: the well-being of our children. From mental health first aid to collective resilience, this episode offers both a stark wake-up call and a roadmap for staying vigilant and hopeful. And it's a must for every parent in America especially.  Guest: Anya Kamenetz is an award-winning journalist, author, and thought leader on education, parenting, and child development. She is the author of multiple books including The Stolen Year, and writes The Golden Hour on Substack. She has served as an advisor to the Aspen Institute and the Climate Mental Health Network, and her work has appeared at NPR and beyond. Learn more at https://www.anyakamenetz.net and subscribe to her Substack at https://thegoldenhour.substack.com. Be sure to check out her books: The Stolen Year, The Art of Screen Time, The Test, and DIY U. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: El Paso Airport Mayhem. Ukrainian Athlete Shamefully Disqualified by IOC. Alex Pretti GoFundMe Hits $2M. Jan 6 Criminal Abused Kids. James Vanderbeek RIP. The Patriotic Bagpipe Hero. Paul Rieckhoff breaks down Senator Mark Kelly's First Amendment victory over Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon's laser debacle at El Paso airport, and why Beethoven's Ode to Joy reminds us that hope is the oxygen of democracy. In this solo Thursday episode, Paul Rieckhoff delivers rapid-fire analysis on the top stories you need to stay vigilant about—from Senator Mark Kelly's legal win protecting free speech against retaliation, to the Pentagon's bumbling use of experimental lasers that shut down El Paso's airspace, to Ukraine's inspiring Olympic athletes being punished for honoring fallen heroes. Paul also covers the near $2 million GoFundMe honoring VA nurse Alex Pretti, the deportation case victory for a Mexican father of three Marines, a January 6th pardoned rioter convicted of child abuse, and a 21-year-old bagpiper playing through tear gas at ICE protests. Plus: updates on striking NYC nurses, James Van Der Beek's tragic death and call to action on colorectal cancer screening, and Olympic medal counts. This episode delivers the five I's—Independence, Information, Integrity, Inspiration, and Impact—with a focus on finding glimmers of hope and joy even in dark times. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders like Dan with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Paul Rieckhoff joins for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the football field to the battlefield and into the halls of power. Paul shares how his family's experience with Vietnam shaped his own path into the military and explores why the scars of Iraq and Afghanistan haven't left the same political mark as Vietnam did. The discussion dives into the state of today's all-volunteer military, raising concerns about recruiting under Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon, the politicization of military culture, and the promotion of a specific ideological agenda within the Department of Defense—including what it means for democracy when the most powerful military in the world operates with fewer checks than ever. The conversation then shifts to the growing power of political independents, with Paul making the case that unaffiliated voters and veteran candidates could serve as a moderating force in American politics. From the potential impact of just a handful of independent senators to why no military veteran has won the presidency since George H.W. Bush, Paul and Chuck explore what it would take to break the two-party stranglehold. They also touch on the challenges of independent media, how national security can be a clarifying lens for consuming news, and why Paul believes every voter should consider declaring independence—arguing it gives them more power, not less. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Paul Rieckhoff joins the Chuck Toddcast 02:00 Why football is the most selfless sport 03:45 Defense in football feels like it has caught up to offense 06:00 How & why did you get into the military? 07:45 Nobody feels the acute impact of politics more than military members 09:00 Impact of Vietnam on Paul’s father & family 11:00 Anyone eligible for the draft in Vietnam were obsessive over details 12:30 No Vietnam vet ever won the presidency, but came close 14:15 Scars from Iraq/Afghanistan haven’t affected politics like Vietnam did 14:45 All-volunteer military is good for military but terrible for democracy 15:30 Shunning NATO would have been unthinkable just a decade ago 16:15 Worried about military recruiting under Pete Hegseth 17:00 Hegseth is waging a culture war from the Pentagon 18:15 Recruiting tactics are recruiting a very specific type of candidate 19:30 Changes in policy are politicizing the military & changing culture 20:45 Hegseth is prioritizing & promoting christianity at the Pentagon 21:15 Trump has the most powerful military & can do what he wants with it 21:45 Most dangerous thing Trump can do is invoke Insurrection Act 22:30 Pentagon press corp has been replaced with propogandists 24:45 The only thing checking Trump is himself & Chairman of Joint Chiefs 26:00 Trump has been more strategic this term, & is ahead of schedule 27:30 Military culture & families historically tend to lean right politically 28:45 Many veterans remain politically unaffiliated 29:45 We haven’t elected a military veteran since George H.W. Bush 30:45 Combat service gives you a true sense of the cost of war 32:30 Washington & Eisenhower closest to being “independent” presidents 33:45 Efforts to get veterans elected to local/state office 36:00 Independents have their leanings but reject the two parties 38:00 A true independent could be the most powerful member of senate 38:45 4-6 independent’s could be a moderating fulcrum in senate 40:30 Even two independents breaking with their caucus would be huge 43:00 How can each party appeal to independent veterans? 46:00 Every voter should declare independence, gives them more power 47:00 Balancing creating vs. ingestion working in independent media 50:00 National security is a great clarifier when consuming news 51:15 Waking up early is the best way to avoid distractions 52:30 Israel’s citizen-military culture creates a lot of activism 53:30 Instability created by Trump has engaged the electorate 55:45 ICE has made the danger posed by administration very immediate 56:45 If running for office was viable for independents, Paul would consider it 58:30 Veterans that want to service should run for office, not join ICESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is The Most Dangerous Thing Trump Can Do In this episode, Chuck Todd unpacks a week where political theater carried real consequences, from Pam Bondi’s high-profile hearing and the Justice Department’s bruised credibility to renewed controversy over the Epstein files and why Trump appears uneasy about what could surface. Chuck explores how Trump’s actions—from refusing to help key Republicans like John Cornyn in Texas to escalating trade and tariff fights that split his own party—may be doing tactical damage to GOP midterm prospects, even putting critical races in Michigan and beyond at risk. He also examines donor frustration, the political fallout of Trump’s UAE corruption scandal, and why internal Republican divisions could shape whether Democrats win a narrow or sizable House majority. Finally, Chuck looks at the surprisingly strong jobs report, the murky influence of prediction markets, and why, if Democrats ultimately capture the Senate, Trump himself may be the biggest reason why. Then, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Paul Rieckhoff joins for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the football field to the battlefield and into the halls of power. Paul shares how his family's experience with Vietnam shaped his own path into the military and explores why the scars of Iraq and Afghanistan haven't left the same political mark as Vietnam did. The discussion dives into the state of today's all-volunteer military, raising concerns about recruiting under Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon, the politicization of military culture, and the promotion of a specific ideological agenda within the Department of Defense—including what it means for democracy when the most powerful military in the world operates with fewer checks than ever. The conversation then shifts to the growing power of political independents, with Paul making the case that unaffiliated voters and veteran candidates could serve as a moderating force in American politics. From the potential impact of just a handful of independent senators to why no military veteran has won the presidency since George H.W. Bush, Paul and Chuck explore what it would take to break the two-party stranglehold. They also touch on the challenges of independent media, how national security can be a clarifying lens for consuming news, and why Paul believes every voter should consider declaring independence—arguing it gives them more power, not less. Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:00 The Pam Bondi hearing was all theater, but it did matter 04:30 Trump’s cabinet hearings have an audience of one…Trump 05:00 DOJ’s credibility took a massive hit this week 05:45 Grand jury refused to indict Democratic members of congress 07:15 Bondi fanned the flames over Epstein files, now she’s backtracking 08:00 Trump seems awfully nervous about the files, like he’s hiding something 09:30 The question is do the Dems get a large or small majority in the house 11:00 There is a ceiling for Democratic gains 11:45 Trump isn’t interested in helping Republicans in the midterms 12:15 Trump not endorsing Cornyn in Texas put the senate seat in play 13:45 Republican donors are upset Trump won’t help in Texas 15:15 Trump’s UAE corruption scandal the worst of all time 16:45 Trump’s threats over bridge to Canada hurts GOP in Michigan 18:00 Owner of other bridge lobbied Lutnick, now Trump threatens shutdown 18:30 New bridge is good for Michigan, this put Mike Rogers in jeopardy 19:30 Trump is doing tactical harm to their midterm election chances 20:15 Trump’s tariff mess has divided his own party 21:30 Mike Johnson couldn’t stop vote in the house on tariffs 23:00 Trump doesn’t care about the future of the Republican party 24:45 Trump says no to another reconciliation bill, also bad for GOP 26:30 Jobs report was good despite admin officials previewing a bad one 27:15 Are administration officials cashing in on the prediction markets? 28:00 Prediction markets are extraordinarily corruptable 29:30 Higher tax refunds will get eaten by higher costs, not politically helpful 30:45 If Democrats win the senate, they’ll have Donald Trump to thank 32:00 Far right candidate beat the center left coalition in Japan 33:30 Independents need to assert their political power in America 36:00 The country’s political affiliations don’t fix neatly into two boxes 45:00 Paul Rieckhoff joins the Chuck Toddcast 47:00 Why football is the most selfless sport 48:45 Defense in football feels like it has caught up to offense 51:00 How & why did you get into the military? 52:45 Nobody feels the acute impact of politics more than military members 54:00 Impact of Vietnam on Paul’s father & family 56:00 Anyone eligible for the draft in Vietnam were obsessive over details 57:30 No Vietnam vet ever won the presidency, but came close 59:15 Scars from Iraq/Afghanistan haven’t affected politics like Vietnam did 59:45 All-volunteer military is good for military but terrible for democracy 1:00:30 Shunning NATO would have been unthinkable just a decade ago 1:01:15 Worried about military recruiting under Pete Hegseth 1:02:00 Hegseth is waging a culture war from the Pentagon 1:03:15 Recruiting tactics are recruiting a very specific type of candidate 1:04:30 Changes in policy are politicizing the military & changing culture 1:05:45 Hegseth is prioritizing & promoting christianity at the Pentagon 1:06:15 Trump has the most powerful military & can do what he wants with it 1:06:45 Most dangerous thing Trump can do is invoke Insurrection Act 1:07:30 Pentagon press corp has been replaced with propogandists 1:09:45 The only thing checking Trump is himself & Chairman of Joint Chiefs 1:11:00 Trump has been more strategic this term, & is ahead of schedule 1:12:30 Military culture & families historically tend to lean right politically 1:13:45 Many veterans remain politically unaffiliated 1:14:45 We haven’t elected a military veteran since George H.W. Bush 1:15:45 Combat service gives you a true sense of the cost of war 1:17:30 Washington & Eisenhower closest to being “independent” presidents 1:18:45 Efforts to get veterans elected to local/state office 1:21:00 Independents have their leanings but reject the two parties 1:23:00 A true independent could be the most powerful member of senate 1:23:45 4-6 independent’s could be a moderating fulcrum in senate 1:25:30 Even two independents breaking with their caucus would be huge 1:28:00 How can each party appeal to independent veterans? 1:31:00 Every voter should declare independence, gives them more power 1:32:00 Balancing creating vs. ingestion working in independent media 1:35:00 National security is a great clarifier when consuming news 1:36:15 Waking up early is the best way to avoid distractions 1:37:30 Israel’s citizen-military culture creates a lot of activism 1:38:30 Instability created by Trump has engaged the electorate 1:40:45 ICE has made the danger posed by administration very immediate 1:41:45 If running for office was viable for independents, Paul would consider it 1:43:30 Veterans that want to service should run for office, not join ICE 1:47:45 Races with independents to track 1:49:00 Ask Chuck 1:49:15 Isn’t congress responsible for border policy? 1:55:30 Is the reason Noem hasn’t been fired, that Trump wants on Mt. Rushmore? 1:58:00 Why do celebrities lend their names to companies that hurt their customers? 2:03:15 Would moderate Democrats do better running as independents? 2:08:30 Does Utah law to expand Supreme Court open the door for court packing? 2:12:15 What can be done to modernize education, add national service? 2:23:45 Thoughts on sports post-footballSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ICE is Tracking Protestors. Vance Tells Olympians To Shut Up. Chaos At El Paso Airport. Strikes In Mexico Next? Grand Jury Won't Indict Kelly & Co.  With AG Pam Bondi testifying before Congress and shamefully defending Trump's Epstein connections and ICE's lawlessness, and a major US airport shut down potentially due to drones from Mexico invading Texas airspace, Paul Rieckhoff and independent veteran running for Senate in Nebraska Dan Osborn dive deep into the issues the establishment wants to ignore: the urgent demand for the full release of the Epstein files, the lack of accountability for ICE's "dark prisons" and domestic incursions, and the "surge pricing" of groceries that is crushing American families. From the FAA halting flights in El Paso due to cartel drones to the "un-American" politicization of the Olympics by JD Vance, this episode is a masterclass in staying vigilant against chaos, corruption, the super rich and demanding transparency from those in power Nebraska's independent surge is no longer just a "tip of the iceberg" story—it's the tip of the spear.  Dan Osborn returns to the show to break down his statistically tied race against GOP incumbent Senator Pete Ricketts. As Ricketts spends millions to protect his seat, Osborn is fueling a "paycheck populism" movement powered by 25,000 individual donors and a refusal to take corporate PAC money. This is the ultimate David vs. Goliath battle in the heart of the country, and the stakes for the Senate have never been higher. This is perhaps the most important Senate race in the country—because it's more than about Nebraska—it's the people vs the ultra-rich, partisan and powerful.  Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more and support Dan's campaign for Senate here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders like Dan with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lawmakers to View Unredacted Epstein Files. Hegseth vs The Boy Scouts and Harvard. JD Vance Booed at Olympics. US Olympians Speak Out Against ICE. Super Bowl Monday Should be a National Holiday.  It's Super Bowl Monday and Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff is unpacking a wild 24 hours in America—from a politically charged halftime show and Seattle's gritty win to dangerous ICE raids, new 9/11 revelations, and the most political Olympics yet. Every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) breaks down the most important news stories and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans in a time when trusted news, politics, inspiration, and hope are in short supply. In this all‑new solo “Manosphere Monday” episode, Paul ties together Bad Bunny's historic halftime performance and its “the only thing more powerful than hate is love” message, Trump-world backlash, and the NFL's bet on Latino and Puerto Rican culture as a preview of America's demographic future. He launches “Manosphere Monday” with real talk on male leadership, raising boys, and men's health—spotlighting prostate screenings via that unforgettable “Relax Your Tight End” Novartis ad. Along the way he exposes chilling ICE abuses, honors murdered Minneapolis VA hero Alex Preti, and reveals a newly surfaced 9/11 memo showing New York City officials quietly worried about toxic air and legal liability while first responders and residents were told it was safe.​ Paul also tracks Trump's war on the free press, Pentagon stonewalling, Pete Hegseth's escalating culture war against the Boy Scouts and Harvard, JD Vance getting booed at the Olympics, and why Ukraine's athletes are now the spiritual center of the Games. He highlights the growing movement for open primaries, new polling showing Americans are fed up with partisan primaries, and why veterans and independents are leading the charge to reclaim our democracy—before closing with some sports hope in college hoops, March Madness, and his surging St. John's Johnnies. If you're exhausted by partisan spin, corporate media, and performative “manosphere” grifters, this is your alternative, independent briefing on Super Bowl Monday—packed with politics, culture, sports, and honest conversation about health, masculinity, and American leadership. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ICE Kicks Puppies. DHS Black Site Prisons. JD Vance is Garbage. A New Boat Strike. 17.5 Veteran Suicides Per Day. Super Bowl Picks and Bets, Ice Fishing, Chloe Kim Rocks Olympics. Trump is all gas, no brakes on this Super Bowl Friday—from posting a racist video from the White House depicting the Obama's as apes and escalating his war on the press, to unleashing ICE's culture of cruelty with gassed protesters, kicked‑in doors, kicked puppies and plans for giant warehouse‑style detention centers that could function as domestic black sites. In this all‑new episode of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff welcomes back the iconic Rachel Maddow for a sharp, extended, urgent and surprisingly hopeful breakdown of what she calls a “mad king” moment—and why the real work now is taking away Trump's tools of power, from the Justice Department and ICE to the Pentagon and the Insurrection Act.​ Rachel rarely does podcasts, but she does this one hosted by her old friend. They chop it up on how authoritarians depend on institutional cowardice and public exhaustion, and why disciplined, non‑violent, mass resistance and strategic shaming still work—even against a president who seems beyond embarrassment. They highlight ICE's evolving archipelago of dark sites, Congress finally “getting up on its hind legs” with a “don't obey illegal orders” push, and the catastrophic failure of imagination that could come if Americans don't prepare now for an Insurrection Act deployment to crush future protests.​ It's not all darkness: Rachel gets personal and takes us to her ice‑fishing happy place in Western Massachusetts and explains why chasing pike through thigh‑deep snow is her metaphor for stubborn joy and resistance, while Paul salutes Chloe Kim's Olympic patriotism and life with a Jets‑fan kid. They close with a Super Bowl Football Friday segment—debating Patriots–Seahawks, Drake May's jitters and Sam Darnold's late bloom—and a cross‑jersey bet that will leave either Paul in Pats gear or Rachel in Seahawks colors. It's a fierce and fun way to end a crazy week and prep properly for the Super Bowl.  -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Listen to Burn Order, Rachel's latest amazing podcast. -Be sure to watch the documentary Rachel referenced as Something Good: Field Generals: History of the Black Quarterback.  -Check this out. You can follow ICE's Black Site efforts with this tracker. See if one is coming to your city or town.  -If you need help, don't be afraid to ask. Resources are available. Call or text 988 for immediate access to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available nationwide, 24/7, for mental health, suicidal thoughts, or substance use issues. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington Post Wreckage. Bezos the New Bad Guy? Independent Media's Moment. US Russia Nuke Treaty Expires. Nancy Guthrie Rivets Nation. Fallout & Rising Hatred for Corporations. NBA Trade Madness. The news is flying. And we're keeping you ahead of it. And focused on what matters most. Paul is joined by the venerable Chuck Todd—host of the Chuck Toddcast and former moderator of NBC's Meet the Press and more— for a raw, candid, often funny kitchen-table conversation America needs right now that takes you behind the curtain on media, news and politics. They break down ICE agents leaving “death cards” with white supremacist history, detaining citizens, and now, local cops; Jeff Bezos's gutting of the Washington Post and layoffs hitting reporters in war zones; and how billionaire power—from Bezos and Musk to Trump—is hollowing out the Fourth Estate and putting our democracy, national security, and truth itself up for sale. They also unpack the TV show Fallout's dystopian world of bunkered elites and abandoned wastelands, and what it reveals about America's rapidly-growing anti-corporate mood cutting across all political lines.  Together, Paul and Chuck go hard at the rise of independent voters and candidates, the promise of open primaries and mayors, and the pivotal role veterans and independent leaders will play in the next political realignment. They talk Jesse Ventura, Ross Perot, Bill McRaven, The Rock, Mark Cuban, Matthew McConaughey, Dan Osborne, Todd Achilles, and the real possibility that a celebrity or billionaire like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos could hijack—or turbocharge—the independent movement. If you're furious at ICE, worried about the attacks on the press, disgusted with both parties, and hungry for independent, patriotic analysis that refuses to bow to the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, Trump, Bezos, Musk or any corporate overlord, this episode is for you—and a call to declare your independence, stay vigilant, and choose country over party, people over politics, and light over heat. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Check out Chuck Todd's The Chuck ToddCast.  -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

700 ICE Agents Out of Minnesota. Navy Downs Iranian Drone. Brutal Testimonies of ICE Abuses. Huge Layoffs at Washington Post. Measles Outbreak at Texas ICE Jail.   Strap in! Former INDEPENDENT Minnesota Governor, pro wrestler, actor, Navy SEAL and all‑around badass Jesse “The Body” Ventura is finally on the pod—and he's not holding anything back. In this news-making new episode of Independent Americans, Ventura joins host Paul Rieckhoff for an extended, uncensored and exclusive conversation about Trump's ICE crackdown in Minneapolis, the raid on his own Roosevelt High School, January 6th, and why he believes America chose “the criminal over the Constitution.” He shares raw stories about his Vietnam service and his parents' World War II heroism, explaining why that family history gives him license to call Trump's ICE “the Gestapo” and accuse them of trampling core constitutional rights in his hometown.​ Ventura also pulls back the curtain on his personal history with Donald Trump—from Trump flying to Minnesota after Jesse's 1998 upset win, to their surreal New York dinner in NYC with a movie star that will surprise you, to how Trump “stole” Jesse's outsider playbook to capture the GOP instead of building a truly independent movement. He blasts Trump's WWE Hall of Fame spot, calls out fake tough‑guy politics, reacts to a planned UFC event at the White House, and warns about the danger of Trump invoking the Insurrection Act and turning the U.S. military on American citizens. At the same time, he highlights rising resistance in Minneapolis and beyond, as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morello and artists, young people and veterans of all kinds push back against ICE abuses and democratic backsliding.​ Looking forward, Ventura breaks down exactly how he won the governorship as an independent against the two major parties, the two things he thinks are key for independents to win, and how independent vets can follow his blueprint today through Independent Veterans of America. He talks about recruiting big‑name independents, the explosive growth of independents nationwide, and even floats a wild scenario that could send him to the U.S. Senate to confront Trump world from the inside.  If you're part of the 45% of Americans who are independent—or just independent‑curious—and you miss hearing Jesse Ventura tell stories like only he can, this is your must‑hear episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Get the full transcript here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Please take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis. Read his story here.-Check out MOH recipient Thomas Norris' amazing and courageous story as well. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dems Eat Their Own in Texas. Clintons to Testify on Epstein. Elon's GROK Loves Porn. Jill Biden's Ex Charged w Murder. Savannah Guthrie's Mom. Liberals Buying Guns. ICE at Super Bowl? It's only Tuesday–and this week is already on fire. From ICE stalking kids and now Haitian caregivers, to Trump openly musing about “taking over” the fall mid-term elections and flirting with the Insurrection Act, Paul kicks off this all‑new daily episode with a blistering run through the wildest news of the day: Jill Biden's ex‑husband charged with murder, Savannah Guthrie's missing mother, a delayed moon mission, and another massive Russian barrage on freezing Ukraine.​ Then, Democratic strategist, nonprofit advisor and attorney Kaivan Shroff joins Paul from New York to get extremely reasonable about a Democratic Party that seems determined to eat its own. They dig into why the Democrats can't get out of their own way, overly focus on identity politics, and continue to hemorrhage voters nationwide. And they focus on the headline-snatching Texas Senate Democrat primary food fight between James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett, Colin Allred's “mediocre Black man” moment, and how very online identity wars and racial politics are distracting the Dems from from attracting independents, beating Republican Ken Paxton, winning back Texas, and actually stopping Trump.​ What the hell is wrong with the Democrats? So much.  Paul and Kaivan also break down why so many liberals are suddenly buying guns, what that means for suicide risk and public safety, and how Trump's ICE crackdown and gun restrictions have even hardcore Second Amendment advocates furious at the government he now runs. They explore whether this crisis could finally force a new, common‑sense unity and breakthrough national conversation about guns, civil liberties, and what real “law and order” looks like in Trump's America. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Check out Kaivan's SubStack and also his podcast Extremely Reasonable. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Shaboozey and a Grammy Tsunami Slams ICE and Trump. Danish Veterans March Against Trump. Groundhog Day is VERY 2026. Super Bowl Week Begins.Girl Scout Cookies! This Groundhog Day 2026,Paul emerges from the cold of the weekend like the Puxatawny Phil of news in an episode 431 to barrel into the start of February and off a freezing trip to Philly that reflects a growing, nationwide fury at ICE's abuses. He lays out why he believes ICE's culture is rotten to the core, details ProPublica's naming of the federal agents involved in the killing of Alex Pretti, and explains how expanding warrantless raids from Minnesota to Utah are shredding the Constitution in real time. Paul connects this crackdown to Trump's escalating war on protest and the press, where peaceful protesters are smeared as “domestic terrorists” and “communist insurrectionists” to justify possible use of the Insurrection Act and even active-duty troops against American citizens.​ The episode also hits Trump's broader assault on the free press, from reports of gagged MAGA-friendly media to relentless attacks on ProPublica, NPR, Jimmy Kimmel, and others, while Paul shares a chilling example of violent threats he receives on Elon Musk's X for speaking out.  Abroad, he highlights thousands of Danish veterans marching against Trump in Copenhagen over his disrespect for NATO, Iran's brutal execution of former soccer star Mojtaba Tarshid after protests, the fragile ceasefire and reopened Rafah crossing, and Ukrainians fighting to keep a 51-year-old gorilla named Tony warm amid freezing Russian attacks. Back home, Paul spotlights a political shocker in Texas, where Democrat and Air Force veteran Taylor Remit flipped a deep-red congressional district that Trump carried by 17 points, powered by independents and disaffected Republicans. He uses the upset to explain how independents are surging and are now the decisive needle in American politics, previews a virtual town hall with Open Primaries and independent veteran Senate candidates Ty Pickens and Todd Achilles, and weaves in culture and sports—from the Grammys' anti-ICE tipping point and Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show to Seahawks–Patriots, Knicks magic, and OKC's rise—and closing as always with “Something Good good”. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Join the Open Primaries Zoom “Independent Veterans are Spoiling for a Fight” -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff joins NewsNation Now with Connell McShane and Republican leader Tiffany Smiley for a fiery, no-notes live TV showdown—and this all-new episode brings you the full, unfiltered audio. They clash over Trump's dramatic move in Venezuela, regime change talk in Cuba, and what Paul calls a “vision board” foreign policy that now stretches from Venezuela to Cuba to even Greenland. At stake are core American values, the role of Congress, the risks of regime change wars, and whether our military and allies are being overextended in ways most Americans—and especially independents and veterans—do not want.​ From there, the debate shifts to ICE, immigration, and recent shootings in Minnesota, as Paul raises alarms about secretive, aggressive enforcement tactics and the blowback they are creating among Republicans, Second Amendment advocates, and independent voters. Tiffany counters that voters will ultimately judge Trump on their pocketbooks, pointing to tax cuts, rising wages, and a strong stock market as proof that his economic agenda will win out as people “start to feel it.” Paul pushes back that Trump's approval is collapsing with independents, and that Americans care not only about their wallets, but also about feeling safer and more respected in the world.​ Connell steps back and lets the sparks fly as the two battle over who really represents the rising independent majority. It's fast, unscripted, and raw, capturing the real fight over foreign policy, immigration, the economy, and the future of independent political power in America. If you're sick of canned talking points and partisan echo chambers, this is the front-row seat you've been waiting for. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump Ready to Hit Iran Again. Putin/Ukraine Energy Cease Fire? ICE Beating Up Old Ladies. Sen Redneck Hates the Super Bowl. Friday Football: Pro Bowl Edition.  This rapid fire episode is an intense real‑time situation report from Times Square on one of the wildest Fridays of 2026 so far. Paul Rieckhoff digs into the federal arrest of Don Lemon and Minnesota journalist Georgia Fort after church protests, and why Trump's push to criminalize journalism and protest crosses a dangerous new line in his war on the free press—making clear that if they can be targeted, so can any podcaster, reporter, or citizen who dares to speak out.​​ Rieckhoff lays out Trump's playbook: stoking protests to justify invoking the Insurrection Act, deploying the 11th Airborne and National Guard, and using ICE as an unaccountable strike force against immigrants, veterans, kids, and even elderly women, backed by disturbing new videos from Minneapolis, Maine, Colorado, and beyond that show a culture he argues is rotten beyond repair. He tracks how Trump is repositioning the military for a potential strike on Iran while dropping Epstein files, naming a new Fed chair tied to those documents, and counting on chaos and fear to keep him in power—all as Ukraine hangs on a fragile energy‑strike “ceasefire” and over a million independents in Maryland fight for open primaries.​ Amid the mayhem, Paul still delivers the five I's—independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact—honoring the legacy of Catherine O'Hara, previewing the Pro Bowl's flag football future, the coming Super Bowl “woke bowl” culture war, and why flag football's Olympic debut matters for the next generation. Through it all, he centers what really counts: the courage of protesters freezing in Minneapolis, the fear and resilience of kids living under ICE, and the power of joy and community as a form of resistance—arming anyone who's angry with the context, clarity, and fuel they need to push back and stay vigilant. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Freedom Caucus Cofounder on the Insurrection Act. DJT Losing Independents. ICE Violated 100 Court Orders. Reps Fleeing GOP. Dems Defunding DHS. Gun Advocates Triggered. The Boss  > Nicki Minaj. Former Republican Congressman, conservative talk host, and one-time presidential candidate Joe Walsh is back—and he's not holding anything back. In this raw, unfiltered conversation with Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff, Walsh explains why he left the GOP, why he took the controversial step of actually joining the Democratic Party, and why he still considers himself an independent at heart. Together, they dig into the Republican Party's embrace of Trump, the fracture among conservative gun owners, and what it means when a lifelong conservative believes his former party is now an “existential threat” to American democracy. Rieckhoff and Walsh break down the unfolding ICE and Alex Pretti crisis in Minneapolis, including new video, a judge's blistering rebuke of ICE for violating nearly 100 court orders, and why the culture inside ICE is, as Rieckhoff puts it, “broken to the core.” They examine Trump's inflammatory comments on guns, the backlash from responsible gun owners, and what real conservative values look like in 2026. They also wrestle with a big question facing millions of politically homeless Americans: Do you join a party to stay in the fight—or reject both parties and go fully independent?​ From health scares and aging to staying in the daily grind of political combat, Walsh talks candidly about why he's still out there “raising awareness every day for where this country is at”—and why he thinks this moment demands courage, clarity, and a refusal to look away. Rieckhoff pushes hard on what it would take for Walsh to leave the Democrats and rejoin the growing independent movement—and what breaking with your old political tribe really looks like in real life. This is a fiery, funny, and deeply serious conversation for anyone who's fed up with both parties but refusing to give up on America Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2 Agents Who Shot VA Nurse Man Placed on Leave. Freedom Caucus Backs Trump Invoking Insurrection Act. ICE is Drive-By Macing People. 2M Casualties in Ukraine. Belichick Snubbed by HOF. Wemby Speaks Out. On a freezing January day in New York City, host Paul Rieckhoff is back solo at the mic to get you ready for the next storm—literal and political. From ICE raids in Minneapolis, Phoenix, and Portland, to the assault on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and the still-unfolding fallout from the killing of VA nurse Alex Pretti, Paul connects the dots on America's rapidly escalating crisis of political violence and unaccountable federal power. He breaks down the latest developments in the Minneapolis shooting, why the agents who killed Pretti still haven't been publicly identified, and why he believes ICE has become a runaway, unconstitutional menace that must be defunded and disbanded.​ Paul also digs into the House Freedom Caucus' shocking public support for Trump invoking the Insurrection Act, the 11th Airborne still on quiet standby for Minneapolis, and what that all means for democracy, dissent, and the 2026 landscape. He zooms out to the global picture—from the staggering casualty toll in Ukraine to the brutal crackdown on protesters in Iran and Trump's saber-rattling toward Cuba—while sending a clear message to America's allies that Trump does not speak for most Americans or most veterans.​ Paul also previews an exclusive upcoming conversation with former Minnesota Governor and Navy SEAL Jesse Ventura, teases a special Football Friday with Rachel Maddow, and even weighs in on why Bill Belichick being denied first-ballot Hall of Fame status is its own kind of outrage Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vets Salute VA Nurse Hero. VA Sec Collins' Shameful Statement. Kennedy, Oz & Measles. Flu Season Health Tips. America's ICE Breakers. Allies Furious Worldwide. After the Storm. In this urgent all–new episode of Independent Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff is joined by returning champion Dr. Vin Gupta — Harvard–trained pulmonologist, Air Force Reserve officer, VA ICU doctor and one of America's most trusted medical voices — to break down Trump's escalating war on public health, the VA, and even gun owners themselves. They dig into the murder of Minneapolis VA ICU nurse and veteran caregiver Alex Pretti, what his life and final act of courage mean for nurses, veterans and families nationwide, and how the White House's propaganda machine tried to smear him as a “domestic terrorist” before the truth came out.​ From the flu and measles outbreaks slamming hospitals, to RFK Jr. at HHS, Dr. Oz at CMS, and an EPA that's gutting the Clean Air Act while pretending to “make America healthy again,” Dr. Gupta lays out how this administration is quietly making you and your family less safe — and what you can actually do right now if you're insured, under–insured or have no insurance at all. He explains why VA ICU work is “double service,” why VA nurses like Pretti are unsung heroes of our democracy, and why the VA hospital where Alex worked should bear his name.​ Rieckhoff also rips into VA Secretary Doug Collins' disgraceful response, Trump's new war on gun owners, ICE's spreading abuses, and the chilling implications of a president eager to invoke the Insurrection Act while deploying ICE even to the Winter Olympics. They connect it all to the global fallout from Trump's insults of US allies, the latest from Ukraine and Gaza, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and why California is now working directly with the WHO as a counterweight to DC. And, issue a call to the ⅓ of ICE agents that are veterans.  Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On tonight's Nightcap: The President upends cooperation with our most important global allies. Then, how affordability and immigration may work against Trump in the next election. Plus, TikTok finalizes a deal to create a new American entity that includes several big firms with ties to Trump. Steve Liesman, Molly Jong-Fast, Eddie Glaude, and Paul Rieckhoff join The 11th Hour this Friday night. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff is back with a special bonus pod featuring Paul's full appearance on MSNBC's Nightcap with Stephanie Ruhle's 11th Hour, bringing an independent, patriotic, candid, action-focused perspective into the cable news crossfire. Drawing on his experience as founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and host of this show, Paul explains why “we are no longer the good guys” in the eyes of many around the world and how Trump's behavior is shredding decades of trust with allies who fought and bled alongside us in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, including furious NATO partners such as Denmark and Norway. He breaks down how the scheme to “take” Greenland could have triggered NATO's Article 5 against the United States and why veterans across the globe are speaking out.​ Paul warns that Trump is “all gas, no brakes,” charting a plan to dominate America in 2025 and the Western Hemisphere in 2026 while Congress and traditional guardrails fail to stop him. He details the real risk of abusing the Insurrection Act, deploying federal forces against Americans at home, and turning law enforcement into a political weapon against citizens, veterans, cops, and kids—arguing that if it can happen to them, it can happen to you. He also dives into Trump's war on the media and the truth itself, drawing a direct line from attacks on NPR, the Washington Post, CNN, and Stars and Stripes to efforts to twist TikTok and X into the most powerful propaganda machines on the planet, with TikTok's ownership split between Trump allies and Chinese interests creating both a national security crisis and an information warfare nightmare.​ Amid looming snowstorms at home, Paul contrasts Trump's dishonorable conduct with the courage of President Zelensky and the resilience of the Ukrainian people, who endure a daily storm of drones, missiles, and freezing conditions in the name of freedom. He argues that Zelensky is showing the kind of leadership America once modeled—and that we can and must learn from that example right now. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump Insults Allied Troops, Rod Stewart, Prince Harry and Combat Veterans and Gold Star Families Across Europe, UK, NATO. Bonus Clip: Rieckhoff on CNN with Erin Burnett OutFront  Independent Americans host and Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff jumps on the mic from a school stairwell in New York City to react to breaking news: another deadly ICE shooting of a 37-year-old American in Minneapolis. He explains why this tragedy was both preventable and predictable, why ICE's culture has become “rotten to the core,” and how Trump's toxic leadership is pouring gasoline on an already explosive situation in cities across America. Paul breaks down the looming threat of the Insurrection Act, the possibility of deploying the 11th Airborne Corps into American streets, and why this is a “circuit breaker” moment that demands calm, peaceful, vigilant engagement from independent Americans everywhere.​ From there, Paul widens the lens to the global stage, speaking directly as a combat veteran to NATO vets and allies after Trump's latest insult to foreign troops who fought and died alongside Americans from World War II through Afghanistan. He reads raw, emotional messages from veterans in places like the Netherlands and Australia, highlighting the outrage and hurt felt by those who bled on the front lines only to be dismissed by a president who never served. Paul makes clear that Trump does not speak for most Americans—or most American veterans—and that many in the United States still stand shoulder to shoulder with their allies: never above, never below, always side by side.​ As a bonus, the episode features a powerful clip from Paul's appearance on CNN's Out Front with Erin Burnett and S.E. Cupp, where he calls Trump “President Mayhem” and lays out how his chaos, tariff threats and fixation on Greenland are shredding America's reputation as “the good guys” and giving Putin another great week. It's a fast, urgent, independent analysis designed to keep you ahead of the curve and grounded in values: country over party, people over politics, light over heat. If you're looking for a clear-eyed perspective, a way to channel your anger into lawful action, and a reminder that you're not alone, this special bonus pod will help you stay calm, stay engaged and stay vigilant. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Football Playoffs, Luke Combs, Bruce Springsteen, Greenland. Winter Storm Fern is Coming. Don Lemon, Tiktok, Paris Hilton, AOC, Stars And Stripes in the Cross Hairs.  Winter Storm Fern is coming—but so is Willie Geist. In this special Football Friday  episode of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff welcomes back one of the show's very first guests and one of the most trusted voices in American media: MS NOW Morning Joe co-anchor and Sunday Today host Willie Geist. Together they unpack a blizzard of news and sports, from Trump's escalating ICE raids and the horrific detention of five-year-old Liam Ramos to the killing of Renee Goode and what this all reveals about power, abuse and basic decency in America right now.​​ They go below the radar on Trump's mounting assault on the free press—DOJ's failed move against Don Lemon, the targeting of outlets like Stars and Stripes, and what it's like to do Morning Joe in a country where the president openly weaponizes the government against media critics. Willie explains why this is exactly the time to lean in, not check out, and why he still sees his work as a public service rooted in gratitude, fatherhood and deep support for veterans.​ And because it's Football Friday, they also break down NFL Championship Sunday—Patriots–Broncos, Seahawks–Rams, Drake May's poise vs. Matt Stafford's firepower—plus Giants, Harbaugh, Skattebo, the Yankees, Don Mattingly and why live sports and music (from Luke Combs to Springsteen in Newark) still bring divided Americans together. If you're furious about ICE, worried about democracy, but still love football, snow days and a little hope in the storm, this is your episode. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ICE's New Disturbing Low. Is NATO Dead? Thoughts on the End of the Iraq War. Snowpocalypse ‘26. Garry Newman is Something Good. And So Are Our Allies. On this special bonus episode of Independent Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff cuts through a blizzard of news and chaos with retired four-star General Barry McCaffrey. From Trump at Davos mocking allies and floating military action toward Greenland, to ICE crackdowns stretching from Minneapolis to Maine and talk of deploying the 11th Airborne toward American cities, it is a deep, unflinching look at a country on the brink of something very dangerous.​ McCaffrey details how the Trump White House has shattered global trust, why he believes NATO as we knew it is effectively dead, and how turning ICE and federal law enforcement into camouflaged, armored shock troops erodes vital trust between cops and communities. He explains the real-world implications of Trump's threats to “wipe Iran off the face of the earth,” his pirate-like seizures of Venezuelan oil, and his efforts to use the Army-Navy game, the National Guard, and active-duty forces as partisan political props. Paul and the General also dig into the quiet end of the U.S. troop presence in Iraq, the lessons of Vietnam and the War on Terror, the danger of believing war can be easy or bloodless, and the collapse of once-strong national security institutions.​ You'll hear McCaffrey's blunt assessment of Trump as a lawless, destabilizing commander in chief, his concern that the United States now looks like a “predator nation,” and his warning that law enforcement and the military are being dangerously politicized in ways that will take at least a decade to repair. Paul weaves in his own on-the-ground perspective—from CNN and NewsNation hits to his work with American Veterans for Ukraine and his fight against ICE abuses that are traumatizing kids like five-year-old Liam Ramos—alongside moments of hope, from Randy Newman's music to stories of French allies who promise to “be there” when America is in trouble. It is a conversation that embodies the five I's—independence, integrity, inspiration, information, and impact—at a time when Americans are increasingly independent and hungry for trustworthy voices and real perspective. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Independent Americans host and Army veteran Paul Rieckhoff joins Connell McShane on NewsNation Now for a rapid-fire breakdown of Trump's shocking threats to “blow up” Iran, his escalation over Greenland, and what it all means for America's security and standing in the world. From NATO nearly considering Article 5 over a possible U.S. attack on Greenland, to protests in Greenland against America, to civilians literally freezing in the dark in Kyiv, this special bonus episode pulls back the curtain on the real costs of Trump's foreign policy chaos.​ Paul explains why Greenland actually matters strategically, how Trump's bullying approach is driving a dangerous wedge between the U.S. and NATO, and why the biggest winner so far has been Putin. He digs into why the smartest way to check Russia is in Ukraine—not in the Arctic—and why threatening to obliterate an entire country like Iran is reckless, unnecessary, and terrifying to allies and adversaries alike.​ The conversation also hits Congress's disappearing role in questions of war and peace, the crushing of protests inside Iran, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine as hundreds of thousands flee a frozen Kyiv without power or heat. If you're tired of hot takes and headline-chasing, this is a clear, unflinching sitrep on America's place in the world—and what independent Americans should be watching now. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Snowpocalypse is Coming. Explaining White Nationalism. ICE is Now Snatching Cops & Vets. MLK's Hidden Message. JD Vance is Having a Baby. Fallout (The Show) & How We Save America. Trump's “America First” has become Trump against the world—and the stakes for democracy, justice, and basic decency have never been higher. In Episode 420 of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff sits down with Princeton scholar, author, and public intellectual Eddie Glaude to break down white nationalism and white Christian nationalism in Trump's America, what they're doing to our institutions, and what it will really take for courageous everyday people to fight back. Glaude explains why he believes white nationalists have effectively captured the executive branch, how “great replacement” panic is driving ICE and immigration policy, and why liberty in America has been twisted into a synonym for selfishness and greed.​ Against the backdrop of MLK Day and a brutal political winter, Paul and Eddie go deep on the distortion of Christianity into a political weapon, the rise of white Christian nationalism in the military and VA, and how theological extremism is shaping everything from culture war battles to U.S. policy in Israel. They unpack what it really means to call America a “white republic,” how Klan‑era thinking still shapes immigration policy, and why ICE's expansion is best understood as a project to “make America white again.” Eddie also challenges the sanitized version of Dr. King, reconnecting us to the exhausted, radical King of 1968 who warned that “we have some difficult days ahead” and died with the heart of a 60‑year‑old.​ This conversation is a master class in moral clarity and civic courage—and a call to action. Rieckhoff and Glaude spotlight the everyday leaders already stepping up, from Bishop William Barber and Poor People's Campaign organizers to local housing and education activists, independent veterans, and unlikely neighbors who find shared humanity in the middle of shared suffering. If America is going to make it to its 250th birthday in one piece, it won't be because politicians saved us—it will be because regular people chose truth over denial, courage over comfort, and community over collapse Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dow Drops 700. Don't Protest Inside a Church. Oil From Venezuela Ships. Chris Pratt or Lindsey Vonn for MN Gov? Impeach Trump. Indiana an Example for America. Measles Is Back. ICE Crosses Another Line. Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff returns with an unfiltered conversation cutting through the turmoil of Trump's America, a Greenland crisis, and a shaken NATO to focus on a pivotal political battle: Mississippi's independent U.S. Senate candidate, Ty Pinkins. From New York to the Mississippi Delta, Rieckhoff explores how this historic campaign could disrupt Washington's balance of power—without a Democrat or Republican label. Pinkins shares what he's heard across all 82 Mississippi counties, where voters are rejecting “the same two parties saying the same things.” A Black combat veteran and Delta native, he's emerging as a serious challenge to an entrenched MAGA incumbent. He shatters the myth of “splitting the vote” in a state where Republicans have dominated for decades and argues that independents now represent the most energized political force in the country. Rieckhoff and Pinkins also connect the global stakes—from Trump's destructive foreign moves on Greenland, NATO, and Venezuela—to local crises like hospital closures, job losses, and political neglect across Mississippi. Drawing from his deployments and three-year grassroots tour, Pinkins outlines an independent message built on courage, accountability, and inclusion, aimed at uniting a multiracial, multigenerational coalition ready to redefine Mississippi—and America's—political future. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Support Ty Pinkins run for Senate in Mississippi. And check out his last conversation with Paul here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More Shameful Attacks by Trump on Greenland. Protests at ICE-Leaders' Church. DOJ Puts Don Lemon “On Notice”. MLK's Example. President Mayhem Politicizes Army Navy Football. CFB Championship Tonight.  Paul Rieckhoff rips through the biggest stories in America and around the world in this hard-hitting solo episode of Independent Americans. From President Mayhem's threats to seize Greenland and troll NATO, to the looming danger of the Insurrection Act and troops on alert for possible deployment to Minneapolis, Paul breaks down what matters, why it matters, and what might come next—connecting the dots between ICE abuses, DOJ weaponization, and attacks on the free press so you can stay ahead of the chaos, not crushed by it.​ It's Manosphere Monday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Paul digs into what real, strong, modern American manhood looks like—and how MLK's courageous, disciplined, peaceful protest stands in absolute contrast to Trump's escalating forever war at home and abroad. He hits the latest from Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Ukraine, and our NATO allies; explains why tariffs on key partners and the obsession with Greenland make America less safe; and exposes how Trump is trying to normalize domestic troop deployments and label dissenters as “domestic terrorists.”​ Then Paul shifts gears to break down the NFL playoffs, wild divisional-round finishes, coaching shake-ups, and the college football national championship—explaining why decision-making under pressure matters just as much on the field as it does in the Situation Room. He takes on Trump's new political stunt around the Army–Navy game and why real patriots should resist turning it into propaganda instead of a unifying tradition, before closing with a powerful “something good” on teaching his kids about Dr. King and honoring MLK's independent, moral, unflinching leadership. If you're one of the 45% of Americans who now identify as independent—or just someone who wants information, integrity, and inspiration instead of fear and spin—this solo episode is your briefing, your wake-up call, and your shot of hope Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to WATCH: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Explaining Posse Comitatus and Martial Law. Will He Do it on MLK Day? Trump's New Nobel Prize: Yuck. Friday Football Playoffs. Kyle Tucker, Kyrsten Sinema and Why The Dodgers Are Like Trump.  Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most urgent threats to our democracy with returning champion Asha Rangappa, former FBI Special Agent and Yale national security law expert, in an all–new Football Friday episode recorded January 16, 2026. From Venezuela to Venezuela-style tactics at home, they connect the dots on how Trump's use of military force, deportation crackdowns, and legal maneuvers feed a larger project of power and conquest across the Western Hemisphere, and why the Insurrection Act is now a “circuit breaker moment” for American democracy.​ Because every episode of Independent Americans breaks down the most important news—and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows—this conversation delivers sharp, accessible explanations of the Insurrection Act, the Posse Comitatus Act, and why using active-duty troops as “bodyguards for ICE” could turn American cities into occupied zones. Paul and Asha lay out how Trump telegraphs his punches, how he could flip the language of “insurrection” and “domestic terrorism” onto his political enemies, and what happens when illegal orders collide with the oaths of military leaders and service members.​ They also go beyond the headlines to track a Western-hemisphere “sphere of influence” strategy that looks imported from Moscow and Beijing, the Supreme Court's looming tariff decision, and the chilling symbolism of Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado handing her Nobel Prize to Trump—while tying in Ukraine's brutal winter, the assault on Stars and Stripes, and the erosion of U.S. credibility as France steps in to provide two-thirds of Ukraine's intelligence. And because it's Football Friday, Paul closes a heavy episode with playoff picks, wine, the new “Independent is an Attitude” anthem from producer Chris Rosenthal, and Asha's shout-out to indie band Mates of State—reminding listeners that staying vigilant also means protecting joy, culture and community. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Listen/watch Asha's podcast It's Complicated and check out her Freedom Academy on Substack and follow her on social media. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Independent Americans host, Army veteran and 9/11 first responder Paul Rieckhoff joins Katy Tur Reports to dig into the human and political fallout of America's broken immigration and border system. From front-line agents to families and communities, he explains how putting ICE in an impossible position is “harming our national security” and eroding trust at home and abroad.​ Rieckhoff calls this a “circuit breaker moment for America” and lays out why independent-minded citizens must push past the partisan noise to demand real solutions. He connects the dots between border policy, global instability and the daily lives of listeners, while offering concrete ways to stay engaged, informed and constructive—not just angry Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Top Cop Breaks Down the Minneapolis Murder. And Another ICE Shooting. 500 Pushups a Day. Iran, Greenland, Ukraine, Venezuela. Verizon Fails. Harbaughs for the Win. Here it is. A defining moment for America. For the world. And for history. As America stares down the possibility of Donald Trump invoking the Insurrection Act to send federal troops into Minneapolis—and maybe Detroit next—Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff for an urgent, no-bullshit conversation about power, policing, and how we stop this runaway train before it jumps the tracks. From ICE raids that are “a weapon, not a tool,” to masked federal agents, to what happens if active-duty troops roll into your town, this episode is a frontline briefing from a cop, firefighter, medic, professor and now Democratic candidate for governor of Michigan who has literally walked protesters away from the brink of violence. Sheriff Swanson breaks down how ICE is cannibalizing local law enforcement, what real police accountability looks like after George Floyd and January 6, and why he still chose to run as a different kind of Democrat in a state where independents and disillusioned voters may decide everything.​ Rieckhoff and Swanson also go deep on leadership, discipline and what it takes to be a “choose your fighter” kind of public servant in 2026—covering Swanson's bodybuilding and Ironman mindset, his near-vegan lifestyle, daily gratitude practice, and how “command presence” can calm a city or light it on fire. They dig into Michigan's high-stakes governor's race, the surge of independent voters, how Democrats lost the working class, and why Swanson is “burning the ships” with no Plan B. And they still find time for something good: youth sports, Lions heartbreak and hope, and a shot of inspiration for anyone feeling beaten down by the news but still ready to get off the couch and get in the fight. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Sheriff Chris Swanson's campaign for Governor of Michigan here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus a Stupid Milk Press Conference, America's Role, and Harbaugh to the Giants—Paul Rieckhoff with Connell McShane.  What's really happening on the streets of Iran? Is the regime conducting executions or not? Reports say yes. Trump says no. During a crazy press conference at the White House about changing the rules for milk in schools. Will Trump hit Iran again? Will Congress do anything?? What does it mean for America and the world? Rieckhoff explains why the protests feel like a potential tipping point, why organic, grassroots uprisings matter, and why the best move for President Trump may be to avoid military escalation while supporting those risking their lives for freedom.​ From reports of snipers on rooftops and internet blackouts to questions about executions, regime brutality, and U.S. intelligence, Rieckhoff and retired General Richard Newton dig into the realities on the ground and the risks of miscalculation. They explore how regime change in Tehran could ripple across Russia, North Korea, and beyond—and what true American leadership should look like in 2026.​ Rieckhoff also calls out Congress's responsibility to reassert its war powers, lays out non-military ways the United States can stand with Iranian protesters, and warns against turning a democratic uprising into a Trump-branded intervention. They examine how shifting U.S. assets, Israeli calculations, and a fraying global coalition reveal that America is no longer automatically trusted to “quarterback” world events—and what independent Americans should demand from their leaders now. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How Dems Rig the System. Chicago the Next Minneapolis? Non-binary is About Freedom. Trump Sics FBI on Wash Post. US Troops to Iran? RIP John Forte. Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff has an exclusive first media interview with Lindsay Church—Minority Veterans of America founder, disabled post‑9/11 veteran, queer non-binary parent, and now independent candidate for Congress in Illinois' 4th District. This all-new episode dives into what it means to take on ICE in Chicago, confront a rigged Democratic party primary, and run as an independent veteran in the middle of Trump's escalating war on democracy and the free press.​ Lindsay's campaign is already historic—as they'd be the first non-binary candidate on a federal ballot in American history.  From the streets of Berwyn and Cicero—where ICE raids have become an everyday terror—to the halls of Congress where Lindsay has already helped pass landmark reforms like the PACT Act and the Deborah Sampson Act, this is a raw, unfiltered conversation about power, courage, leadership and accountability. Paul and Lindsay break down the murder of Renee Good in Minneapolis from a combat veteran's perspective, the weaponization of ICE and PTSD, and how this shooting exposes the consequences when discipline and democracy break down.​ You'll hear why Lindsay believes the corrupt Democratic Party machine in IL‑04 “coronated” a successor behind closed doors, how an independent needs more than 10,000 signatures just to get on the ballot, and why they are running for office in the face of hate and danger—because people deserve a real choice in November and a representative who's earned their vote, not inherited it. The episode zooms out to Trump's broader authoritarian overreach—ICE raids, FBI raiding the home of a Washington Post journalist, threats to NATO, escalation toward Iran, Greenland and Venezuela—while Paul also honors the late musician John Forté, celebrates his wife's new independent film “The Florist,” and reminds listeners that from Tehran to Kyiv to Chicago's Southwest Side, hope and resistance are still alive. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Watch/hear previous appearances on the show by Lindsay - Episode 324 and Episode 177. -Learn more about Lindsay's work at Minority Vets as well as their campaign for Congress here. -Support John Forté's family through GoFundMe here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to listen: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What City Will Trump, ICE, Noem Target Next? Trump is an Authoritarian Strongman. Is Martial Law & The Insurrection Act Coming Soon? Senator Kelly Sues Hegseth. Poll: New High of 45% in US Identify as Political Independents. Bye, Aaron Rodgers!   In this all-new episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff, host Paul Rieckhoff sits down with NYU historian and author Ruth Ben-Ghiat for a powerful, no-BS briefing on Trump, ICE, the “forever war” at home, and the global authoritarian threat. From Minneapolis to Venezuela, from the Insurrection Act to propaganda and personality cults, Ruth explains how strongmen operate, why so many Americans still underestimate the danger, and what every listener can do—right now—to defend democracy.​ Paul also opens the show with his trademark rapid-fire rundown of the day's chaos: ICE raids turning American cities into “ghost towns,” war-crime questions in Venezuela, a brutal new death toll in Iran, and another deadly night in Ukraine. He breaks down a new Gallup poll showing a record 45% of Americans now identify as political independents—and why that makes this community more important than ever.​ This is a must-hear episode for independents, veterans, national security pros, and anyone who feels that helicopters sound different now, that black vans mean something new, and that America is in a fight for its soul. As always, Paul brings the five I's—independence, integrity, information, inspiration, and impact—and Ruth brings the historical receipts. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Ruth's work at ruthbenghiat.com and follow her on Instagram or X. -Subscribe to Ruth's SubStack Lucid here. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Put Him on Trial. Put ICE on Trial. Put Noem on Trial. Uprising in Iran. Trump's Latest Outrageous Weekend Post. Jerome Powell Punches Back. Pour One Out for Kittle.  Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff returns for a raw, solo “Manosphere Monday” to break down the most urgent story in America: the killing of Minneapolis activist and mother Renee Good  by ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who was caught on video calling her a “fucking bitch” as he shot her. Paul calls it murder. And explains why Ross, Kristi Noem, and ICE itself must be put on trial, elevating the powerful, hopeful statement from Good's wife, Becca, as a model of courage and what “right” looks like in the face of rising tension in Minneapolis and nationwide.​   Zooming out, Paul connects this murder to Trump's larger, calculated plan: a wartime-style ICE expansion targeting veterans with bonuses and lowered standards, an unchecked “forever war 2.0” abroad, and the dismantling of independent media from PBS NewsHour Weekend to targeting the Pentagon Press Corps. He makes the case that ICE has become an unaccountable extension of Trump's military power at home and issues a direct call to veterans, cops, independents, and all conscientious Americans to be the circuit breakers who refuse unlawful orders, expose abuses, and stand up before more Americans are killed and more streets become battlefields. This is a time for truth. And this episode is bringing it.  Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Burn it Down vs the Beautiful People. We Need Cinema Now. Independent Governor Jesse Ventura Unloads. Football Friday Playoff Edition. Ron Perlman is back. The man, the myth, the legend joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff on Paul's birthday for a wild, unfiltered and deeply hopeful conversation that only these two could have, from Venezuela to Hollywood, Trump to Teamsters, the Nuremberg trials to the magic of movies. They dig into why Ron thinks “the cockroaches' days are numbered,” how authoritarianism spreads, the loss of empathy in our leadership, and why—despite the rage and the urge to burn it all down—there are still far more “beautiful people who just want to love each other and get a fair shot.”​ Ron also pulls back the curtain on his next great act: Asylum Studios, a radically new model for filmmaking where every single person on a project—from the director to the person cleaning the toilets—owns a piece of the movie, restoring ownership, dignity and respect to the people who actually make the art. He and Paul connect that vision to the kind of America they want for their kids, as Paul shares birthday reflections, what this tense moment in the country feels like, and why independent voices—especially independent veterans—are more important than ever. It's candid, profane, patriotic and hopeful—and guaranteed to give you fuel for the fights ahead. And they have the most fun Football Friday yet. On Oregon vs Indiana, all the NFL Playoff games and the amazing three celebrities that joined Ron for his first ever golf game. It's what you need to end this trying week.  Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this all–new “quick response pod,” Paul checks in from a cold New York City and connects the chill in the air to the brutally cold reality on the ground in Ukraine after a new wave of Russian attacks on civilians and infrastructure. On his birthday, he reflects on sacrifice, leadership, and the inspiration he draws from people fighting for freedom in Ukraine, Iran, across America, and around the world—and calls on listeners to speak out, push back, and look out for each other. Paul also tees up two powerful new conversations: a fresh report from inside Kyiv with counteroffensive reporter Tim Mak on wartime innovation and technology, and the return of actor and patriot Ron Perlman—star of Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy, and more—bringing his trademark fire back to the show. He shares big news about Independent Americans cracking the top 40 on the Apple Podcasts news charts, thanks the vigilant community that helped get it there, and doubles down on why independent media, integrity, and truth-telling matter more than ever in the face of Putin, Trump, and anyone trying to shut people up or shut them down. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.    -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to WATCH: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Protests erupt in Minneapolis after a 37-year-old American citizen was shot and killed by an ICE officer. Plus, the Trump administration reveals briefs Congress on its plans to control Venezuela's economy and oil reserves. Alex Tabet, Rob D'Amico, Tom Manger, John Sandweg, Rep. Kelly Morrison, Paul Rieckhoff, and Hagar Chemali join The 11th Hour this Wednesday night. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ICE Murder in Minneapolis. Trump, Venezuela, and the Global Fight for Democracy from Kyiv. Never Trust a Chickenhawk. Iran Protests Continue to Grow and Spread. Knicks Bounce Back, America Can Too. In this all-new Independent Americans bonus pod, Paul Rieckhoff takes you from the streets of Minneapolis to the freezing front lines of Kyiv with fearless war correspondent Tim Mak. Together they connect Trump's Venezuela “snatch and grabs,” ICE's killing of Renee Nicole Good, and Russia's winter assault on Ukraine to show why Ukraine is still the front line for freedom—and why this moment is a global test for democracy, American credibility, and the future of war.​ Reporting live from Kyiv, Tim details Russia's deliberate targeting of Ukraine's power and heat infrastructure, what it feels like to live and report through blackouts and missile strikes, and how oil prices and Russian tankers are fueling Putin's war machine. Paul and Tim dig into how Ukrainians really see Zelensky, the Americans serving in Ukraine's International Legion, Trump's unchecked power over the U.S. military, and Tim's work on The Counteroffensive and The Arsenal—human-centered, frontline journalism designed to cut through the numbness of modern news. If you care about Ukraine, American leadership, or stopping authoritarianism abroad and at home, this urgent, unflinching conversation from Kyiv is a call to action for every independent American. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Check out Tim Mak's Counteroffensive. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to WATCH: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff returns with an all-new bonus pod, sharing his urgent conversation with longtime friend Rachel Maddow from MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show. Rachel takes listeners into the “way, way back machine” to Paul's early days in politics and media, his time in Iraq, and why the unfolding crisis in Venezuela feels like Iraq all over again—only worse. Together they break down how Venezuela became a new front in Trump's plans, why it matters to every American, and what it reveals about the future of U.S. power, global democracy, and the 2026 landscape.​ They also look back on Rachel's earlier Independent Americans appearances, their legendary on-air Eli Manning jersey bet, and what keeps her in the fight as one of the country's most trusted and relentless truth-tellers. Even if you don't share her politics, Paul makes the case for respecting her intellect, fortitude, and patriotism—and why her voice still matters so much right now. If you care about national security, foreign affairs, the future of American democracy, and the rising power of independents, this bonus episode is for you—a fresh dose of independent light to contrast all the heat as we head into what Paul calls a “wild, wild, wild 2026.” Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to WATCH: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Quick Response Pod. US Citizen Killed by ICE Agents. America Reaches a Critical Tipping Point.    A 37‑year‑old American woman has been shot and killed by ICE in Minneapolis. This is an emergency. In this all‑new Quick Reaction Pod edition of Independent Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff checks in from a flash studio at MSNBC to break down what happened, why everyone saw it coming, and what could unfold next in cities across America.​ As a former Army infantry and military police officer, Paul explains why the deployment of 1,000 ICE agents—with no body cameras, poor identification, and weak discipline—is undermining public safety and accountability. He connects this tragedy to the unauthorized invasion of Venezuela, escalating political extremism, and a president whose rhetoric is making America less safe Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to WATCH: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rachel Maddow runs through the litany of excuses and justifications the Trump administration has presented to explain the military invasion of Venezuela, and points out that none of what has been floated holds up under scrutiny. Every principle the Trump administration claims to be defending comes with examples of the administration not caring at all about that principle. Even the popular idea that it was all for oil doesn't really make sense upon closer examination. But there is one reason that is consistent with Trump's behavior through the first year of his second term in office.Pete Hegseth, former cable news weekend host and Donald Trump secretary of defense, is moving to demote Senator Mark Kelly and also cut his military retirement pay because Kelly reminded members of the military of their duty to refuse to obey unlawful orders. Senator Kelly talked with Rachel Maddow about why that particular message bothered Donald Trump so much that he's still trying to punch Kelly for saying it out loud in public.Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America talks with Rachel Maddow about how Donald Trump is reshaping the role of the U.S. military to suit his interests and ego. Want more of Rachel? Check out the "Rachel Maddow Presents" feed to listen to all of her chart-topping original podcasts.To listen to all of your favorite MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.