Pardons, Pipe Bombs and the Campaign to Make You Forget. Stephen Miller: “Greenland Should be Part of the US” What About the War Crimes? Maduro Arraigned. Trump’s Runaway Train Effect. Congrats, Montana St. 

Maduro Arraigned in NYC. Hegseth is Back to F#cking with Senator Mark Kelly. Apologies to Denmark. Pouring One Out for NFL Red Zone.

In this special QRP (Quick Response Pod), Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff rips into Trump’s New Year’s strike on Venezuela, the snatching of Maduro, and the dawn of America’s Forever War 2.0. He breaks down how Trump blew past Congress, flaunted his power, and opened a new and dangerous chapter in American foreign policy—while U.S. troops once again carry the burden on the ground.​

In this special holiday "stocking stuffer" episode, the legendary Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, Pretty Woman) joins Paul Rieckhoff to deliver a unique Christmas gift to the Independent Americans community. Moving from a classic "you weren't there" military jab to a sharp, sophisticated joke about the perils of radical honesty in the corporate world, Alexander brings the perfect blend of humor and edge to the season.

Jason Alexander (the "King of Festivus") joins Paul Rieckhoff to air grievances about Trump’s new Navy warships, the crisis in Venezuela, and a tragic secret behind Seinfeld’s most famous holiday.

While Congress has checked out, the "Peace President" is ramping up kinetic action from Syria to Venezuela, signaling a volatile shift in foreign policy that makes this anything but a silent night. To balance that heat with some necessary light, WWE Legend Mick Foley joins Paul to discuss integrity and kindness, followed by critical intel on Ukraine, Stefanik, and a reality check for Jake Paul.

Independent Veteran candidate, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, PhD, ultra-marathon champion, and living kidney donor Matt Cavanaugh is a damn impressive leader. And he joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff from Colorado’s 5th district for an unfiltered, high-energy conversation on why “America is not okay” and why he believes voters are trapped in another “Alien vs. Predator” election where, if either major party wins, the people lose. From NORAD’s backyard in the shadow of Pikes Peak, he makes the case that his home turf—majority independent, home to five military bases and Team USA—is the best district in America for an independent veteran Congressional candidate to break through.​ Cavanaugh explains why his campaign logo features a buffalo and how American bison running straight into the storm became his metaphor for political courage in a district that’s ready to send an independent veteran to Congress. He tears into gerrymandering, shutdowns that burned billions, and a political class that left every newborn with six-figure national debt stapled to their birth certificate, while calling for a new generation of “rational vertebrates” with the backbone to stand up for Article One of the Constitution.​ Matt and Paul also fly into Matt’s living kidney donation—why he voluntarily gave a kidney at Walter Reed to a stranger in Seattle, how that transplant chain saved eight lives and saves taxpayers far more than it costs, and how serving others from combat to transplantation to running for office is his answer to these “times that try men’s souls.” Paul opens the episode with a rapid-fire breakdown of Trump’s marijuana order and “war dividend” troop checks, the Trump–Kennedy Center rename push, the rising risk of war near Venezuela, Ukraine’s 1,390th day of full-scale war, and major movement on extremism inside the Coast Guard, plus culture, sports, and hope—from Avatar and SpongeBob to Football Friday picks, polar bears, skiing with kids, and New York City marathon memories. It’s a fierce and fun way to close out a wild 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 his campaign for Congress. -Get a copy of his book Best Scar Wins and take a  minute and read more about his experience of becoming a kidney donor. -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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

Paul welcomes back CBS News national security coordinating producer (and Marine infantry veteran) James LaPorta, one of the most tenacious and respected reporters in the national security and veterans’ space. From the CBS bureau in Washington, LaPorta brings exclusive reporting, deep sourcing and hard-won combat perspective as Paul rips through a wild 48 hours: Trump’s lie-filled prime-time address and new “warrior dividend” checks, a dignified transfer at Dover, rising tensions in Venezuela, new Ukraine aid, Trump’s sinking approval and fresh mass shootings in Sydney and at Brown University. LaPorta then walks listeners through what’s really happening off the coast of Venezuela—carrier strike groups, Marine Expeditionary Units, submarines and air sorties lighting up flight trackers—and why the U.S. posture is “unprecedented” and eerily reminiscent of the run-up to Iraq. The conversation digs into the escalating war over truth: new Pentagon efforts to restrict press access and punish basic reporting, conspiracy theorists like Laura Loomer moving from Infowars-style harassment into official briefing rooms, and what that means for accountability and safety. In an exclusive segment, LaPorta reveals new details on 18 Navy SEALs disciplined after racist memes targeted a Black teammate, what command climate surveys show about repeated harassment, and how it collides with Trump Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s push to “de‑woke‑ify” the force and downplay symbols like nooses and swastikas. Paul and James connect it all to recruiting, morale and trust—especially for troops of color and Jewish service members—while talking about FOIA as a weapon for regular citizens and the need to “FOIA and Find Out.” They close with signature IA humanity: LaPorta on Parkland, his Ghostbusters‑obsessed son and a day with the original Ecto‑1, and Paul on watching The Mandalorian with his son as a reminder to keep finding “something good” in anxious times. 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 https://youtu.be/thjhZczozlYhttps://youtu.be/thjhZczozlY. -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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

In this moving and important episode, Paul Rieckhoff sits down with his old friend, acclaimed and courageous director Craig Renaud to discuss his HBO documentary, Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud, which honors his brother Brent, a brave and renowned journalist killed in Ukraine in 2022. Reflecting on two decades of shared history covering global conflicts, they explore the soaring cost of war and the increasingly dangerous environment for reporters. The conversation highlights a troubling shift toward restricted press access and state-led propaganda, emphasizing why "unflinching, human" truth-telling is more vital—and perilous—than ever for both troops and democracy. This conversation is as powerful as it gets. Craig shares raw, deeply personal reflections on making a film about his brother’s murder, how the editing room became a place of grief and healing, and why he felt a duty to show the reality of Brent’s death exactly the way Brent would have wanted: unflinching, human, and in service of others caught in the crossfire. It’s a story that reveals the soaring cost of war, a brutally dangerous new era for reporters, and why truth-telling now takes more courage than ever. From the Arkansan National Guard in Iraq, to the war on drugs, to the war in Ukraine, Craig has seen it all. And documented it.  This is the kind of conversation that transcends politics and party. This is the kind of conversation that everyone should have to hear. This is the kind of conversation that reminds us of the price that is paid by the vigilant—and why we can never forget them and should always celebrate the best parts of them. It’ll give you many reasons to be more thankful this holiday season.  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 the Trailer for Armed Only with a Camera. -WATCH the epic documentary film from the Renaud Brothers Warrior Champs. -Learn more about the Brent Renaud Foundation and the important work they are doing. -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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

This is a huge and news-making show. Recorded just before Kelly’s pivotal meeting with Hegseth in Washington. When Donald Trump used the power of the presidency to call for Senator Mark Kelly’s execution, he crossed a dangerous new line—and sent a chilling message to millions of veterans and every American who dares to speak out. In this all–new episode, Independent Americans host and Army veteran Paul Rieckhoff sits down with the Arizona Senator, Navy combat pilot and astronaut for a raw, unfiltered, and urgent conversation about retribution, free speech, and the future of American democracy.​ Just hours before his first face-to-face meeting with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth since Hegseth and Trump launched an unprecedented military investigation into Kelly.  Senator Kelly explains why Trump’s move is not just an attack on him, but on every retired service member who might now think twice before speaking his/her mind. He breaks down how Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are trying to weaponize the Uniform Code of Military Justice against political opponents, and why he refuses to be silenced—even if that means facing a “kangaroo court” in uniform.​ Rieckhoff presses Kelly on the looming risk of a new war with Venezuela, what Trump might do while Congress is out of session, and why the administration still hasn’t offered any clear legal or strategic justification for putting American troops in harm’s way. Kelly connects the dots between Trump’s past calls to kill the families of terrorists, shoot protesters in the legs, and “just kill people,” and the dangerous culture now spreading inside the Pentagon.​ This is a critical, behind-the-scenes briefing with the Senator on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees who is directly in Trump’s crosshairs—and who is still showing up to hold this White House to account. It’s also a powerful message to every independent, veteran, military family, and engaged citizen about courage, oversight, and what it really means to stay vigilant in this moment. 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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

After a weekend of atrocities from the Hanukkah massacre in Sydney to another campus shooting at Brown University, new American combat deaths in Syria, Trump’s escalating boat strikes, looming conflict with Venezuela and brutal VA job cuts, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff turns to someone who can help us breathe, process and fight forward: democracy and respect advocate, Baratunde Thurston.​ Baratunde is an Emmy-nominated thought-leader, writer, comedian, technologist, culture critic and host of PBS’s America Outdoors, as well as the creator of How to Citizen and Life with Machines, his new YouTube/AI series exploring how we live well with powerful technology. In this wide-ranging “Manosphere Monday” conversation, Paul and Baratunde unpack how to stay calm in all this chaos, how to citizen in a time of mass shootings and democratic backsliding, and why our real power is collective—not just a vote every two to four years.​ They dive into the toxic “manosphere” model of masculinity and Baratunde’s devastating description of Pete Hegseth as chasing dominance instead of service, strength and restraint. They contrast that with the leadership of others who embody courage, compassion and a longer view of democracy and the planet.​ Is AI a Christmas present or dastardly coal in our stocking? Baratunde breaks down AI in plain language: why AI itself isn’t taking your job, why AI is really about power and the human leaders making choices, and how we can “activate multiplayer mode” instead of being kept in fearful single-player mode. He explains how AI can help with everyday problems—from home repairs to navigating systems—while also forcing us to ask deeper questions about what we value, what education is for, and how we want to live. It’s smart, useful and fun.  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. -Read Baratunde’s thought provoking latest on Atmos.Earth about America needing a Declaration of Interdependence.  -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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

CBS Justice Correspondent Scott MacFarlane joins Independent Americans for a hard-hitting breakdown of Trump’s risky Venezuelan tanker seizure, the secret DOJ legal memos behind recent strikes, and the unprecedented blanket pardons that wiped out the largest criminal investigation in American history. Host Paul Rieckhoff also unpacks a near-trillion-dollar defense bill, Trump’s blocked federalization of the California National Guard, and fresh pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, all converging in a volatile national security moment.​ Scott explains how DOJ’s refusal to release its legal guidance on the Venezuela operations is fueling mistrust, why bipartisan ethics experts and the Senate Judiciary Committee are demanding transparency, and how the administration’s strategy of funneling information to friendly outlets undermines accountability. The conversation dives into Trump’s inauguration-day mass clemency for January 6 defendants, the still-murky arrest in the January 5 Capitol pipe bomb case, and the norm-shattering removal of traditional Pentagon reporters in favor of a new “propaganda press corps.”​ Amid the heavy news, Paul and Scott still make space for life and hope—from Jalen Hurts’ rough season and Philip Rivers’ surprise Colts comeback to Pete Alonso’s move to the Orioles and the energy of Army–Navy week in Baltimore. They close with “something good”: NORAD’s annual Santa Tracker volunteer effort and Scott’s 15-year-old asking for a CD player and physical albums, a small reminder that the next generation still wants something real and tangible. 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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

MS Now’s Stephanie Ruhle is back on Independent Americans for the first time since March 2020, joining host Paul Rieckhoff to let it fly. She’s candid, uninterrupted and going deep on Trump’s unchecked power over the U.S. military, the runaway big business of youth sports, the affordability crisis, and why “kind is the new cool.” Paul opens with a rapid-fire rundown of Trump’s Pennsylvania “affordability” speech, looming Fed rate cuts, Venezuela boat strikes and alleged war crimes, the Gang of Eight briefing, Admiral Holsey’s sudden retirement, China and Russia’s bomber patrols, Afghan allies left behind, and below-the-radar moves in Ukraine, Georgia, and Miami politics. Joining from Times Square, Stephanie is unplugged and talks candidly about news exhaustion, why tuning out is a dangerous privilege, and how independent and social media are reshaping how people—especially kids—stay informed. She shouts out the Pentagon press corps for refusing to sign away their independence and explains why Trump’s attacks on journalists and his control of the military might be the most important story in the world. They dig into parenting in the Trump era, raising boys and a middle-school daughter amid misogyny and online cruelty, why empathy is a superpower, and how small acts—and her family tradition—can change someone’s day—and your own. On youth sports, Stephanie unloads on the “insane” monetization of travel teams, showcases, and year-round club schedules that shut out working families while Paul describes what he’s seeing as a youth coach watching rec sports get cannibalized. On the economy, she breaks down what Fed cuts really mean, why inflation and a K-shaped recovery are fueling anger, and how both parties are failing people at the grocery store, gas pump, and rent check—while calling out tariffs, farm aid politics, and the illusion of Trump as a populist fighter. They also go global on China’s trillion-dollar trade surplus, Russia and Putin’s “amazing year,” Trump’s Ukraine “peace” timeline, and the risks of shifting U.S. focus away from the Pacific, before hitting Taylor and Travis, Diana Ross headlining New Year’s Eve in Times Square at 81, and why Stephanie will never stand for hours in a corral without a bathroom. 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 Stephanie and Ali Velshi’s “It’s Happening” on YouTube. -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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

Governor Wes Moore is back—and this time, the stakes are even higher. As Trump tests the limits of presidential power, perhaps the most exciting and inspiring Governor in America joins Paul Rieckhoff to explain how far the White House can really go in deploying the National Guard into American cities, what is and is not a “lawful order,” and how governors can (and must) hold the line. From war-crime allegations to loose talk about striking Venezuela, Moore lays out what responsible, principled leadership looks like when America’s global reputation is collapsing fast.​ Recorded during Army–Navy week, Paul and Wes dig into why that game should be “mandatory viewing” for anyone who wants to understand real patriotism, service, and brotherhood. Moore talks candidly about his role as commander in chief of Maryland’s Guard, what he’d do if he were president right now, and why he sees himself as a “healer” for all 6.5 million Marylanders—not a partisan warrior.​ They also dive deep on Moore’s pioneering work with men and boys—from getting more men into classrooms and hospitals to building healthier models of masculinity that steer young guys away from grievance and extremism. Moore explains how Maryland went from 43rd in unemployment to one of the lowest jobless rates in America, cut violent crime and teacher shortages, and launched a first-in-the-nation “Feds to Eds” program that turns fired federal workers into urgently needed teachers.​ And, talks openly about the struggles of his beloved Baltimore Ravens.  Plus, Paul opens the show hitting the hottest stories: Trump’s refusal to release the December 2nd boat strike video, the latest on Ukraine’s fight and Zelensky’s resolve, the Ghislaine Maxwell grand jury files, RFK Jr.’s pull-up stunts, Nancy Mace’s TSA tirade, Golden Globe snubs, and a wild NFL Monday night. And they both close with “Something Good”—that’ll leave you feeling warm for the holidays and more hopeful about the days ahead.  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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

This episode goes straight to the heart of Trump’s chaotic Pentagon with one of the most respected national security reporters in America, Barbara Starr. In this all–new Manosphere Monday, Paul and Barbara dig into the debate around the boat strikes off Venezuela, war crime allegations, “Signalgate,” Trump’s new defense strategy and what happens when the guardrails that protect U.S. troops start coming off.​ Barbara explains why she’s never seen anything like Pete Hegseth’s drama-fueled Pentagon, how the new “propaganda press corps” replacing traditional reporters in the briefing room is changing the flow of truth, and why Trump’s walk-back from NATO looks like a gift-wrapped present to Vladimir Putin. They connect the dots from Pearl Harbor to 9/11, January 6th and today’s surprise-attack risks—from Venezuela to China and Taiwan—and lay out what real vigilance and leadership should look like in 2025.​ Paul takes listeners through the latest on the controversial boat strikes, the escalating partisan fight on Capitol Hill, the National Guard deployment hearings, and the 3,000-page defense bill barreling through Congress while Trump hands himself a FIFA “peace prize” on Fox Sports. Barbara breaks down what’s at stake for apolitical troops, the dismantling of military legal and diversity safeguards, and the danger of turning the Secretary of Defense into a full-time video performer instead of a wartime leader.​ They also zoom out to the bigger cultural moment—from Pearl Harbor remembrance and World War II’s “greatest generation” to the rise of women’s flag football and the Dodgers’ World Series run—and close with “something good,” including Paul’s unapologetic love for *NSYNC’s holiday album and Barbara’s countdown to spring training.​ 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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

Independent U.S. Senate candidate from Idaho, Army veteran and telecom leader Todd Achilles returns to Independent Americans for a hard-charging Football Friday that cuts through the chaos. Todd and host Paul Rieckhoff break down Trump’s unauthorized boat strikes and the unfolding Signalgate scandal, why Secretary Hegseth is “fundamentally unfit,” and how Congress has surrendered its War Powers as America edges toward a conflict with Venezuela.​ From ICE raids zip-tying kids at a rural Idaho horse track to a broken visa system that powers the state’s only truly strategic industry—agriculture—Todd explains what this looks like on the ground for red hats, trucker hats, hard hats and cowboy hats across all 44 Idaho counties. He lays out a simple two-by-two matrix for understanding the Venezuela mission, why this should be a DEA and Coast Guard problem, and how misusing the military puts Idaho Guard troops and all Americans at risk.​ Paul and Todd go deep on why independents are the real solution to Trump, RFK Jr., Mamdani and the extremes of both parties—and how one independent veteran in the Senate could become the decisive fulcrum on confirmations, war powers and corruption. Todd details his David-vs-Goliath run against Senator Jim Risch—the fourth-oldest and one of the wealthiest members of the Senate who hasn’t held an in-person town hall since 2009—and why national Republicans are suddenly “scared” of Idaho’s independent wave.​ It’s also Football Friday: Paul and Todd pick Boise State on the Smurf Turf, Texas Tech, Georgia and undefeated Indiana, and talk about why college football in Idaho is as local—and as political—as it gets. They close with “something good,” honoring D-Day medic and Native American hero Charles Shay, the powerful service tradition of Idaho’s tribes, and the growing, hopeful movement of Americans breaking out of partisan trenches and declaring their independence. 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 Todd’s campaign for Idaho’s Senate seat. -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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

Retired Brigadier General Shawn A. Harris is back on the front lines—this time in politics. From his grass-fed cattle farm in Rockmart, Georgia to the halls of the Pentagon, Harris joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) to break down SignalGate, the deadly US boat strikes, the War Powers fight and the growing danger of sloppy, politicized military leadership.​ Running as a Democrat in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District—the open seat Marjorie Taylor Greene is abandoning—Harris explains why leadership, integrity and service still matter in a district that’s been defined by chaos, extremism and cable hits. He talks candidly about why he chose not to “change t‑shirts,” what it’s like to have two sons still in uniform, and why independent and Reagan Republicans are lining up behind his campaign.​ Rieckhoff and Harris also explore whether Congress is quietly edging America toward another war in the Caribbean, whether the boat strike could rise to a war crime, and what real accountability for the current Secretary of Defense should look like. They dig into the Pentagon press rules fight, the New York Times lawsuit, the arrest of the January 6 pipe bomb suspect, and what “dead men don’t talk” really means for intelligence and national security.​ Then, in a powerful “something good,” Harris salutes his hometown Early County Bobcats and the high school football coach who helped turn hopes and dreams into a life of service—sparking a heartfelt conversation about how sports, mentors and community can literally save young lives. 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 Shawn’s campaign for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. -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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

In this urgent episode ripped from the top political and national security headlines, host Paul Rieckhoff talks with the only truly Independent Senator and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee: Maine’s Angus King. King returns to the show to answer tough questions, share the latest from inside the Senate, and break down Hegseth's "kill everybody" directive amid shifting stories on the strikes that killed dozens, including survivors in the water—explicitly cited as illegal in the DoD Law of War Manual.  Paul presses King on the need for public hearings, Admiral Bradley's pending testimony about strike orders, the mysterious resignation of Southern Command Commander, Navy Admiral Holsey—and Hegseth's calendar at the time of the strikes, questioning his leadership as Venezuela tensions escalate with U.S. naval buildup. King slams Congress's abdication of war powers, Trump's "garbage" insults toward Somalis, and the purge of Pentagon legal experts, urging independents to hold the line for accountability. This is a conversation with a powerful, honorable and pivotal Senator that is at the center of all it. The lone independent Senator that can be a unique bridge to real bi-partisan accountability.  Millions of Americans—and especially Independent Americans—are looking to King now to meet this moment. Will he? Watch or listen and find out.  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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels:

Paul Rieckhoff catches up with scholar-warrior Dr. Jason Dempsey, a veteran whose career spans deployments in Afghanistan, work inside the White House, and now powerful advocacy and research on the state of America’s military. The two dive into headline events—recent attacks, controversial military decisions, and the dangerous rise of performative “tough guy” politics. Dempsey unpacks why the rules of war must stand, why leadership is more than just rhetoric, and how America can maintain its ethical compass. They discuss the realities veterans face post-service, the risk of radicalization, and the critical need for mental health resources. Dempsey also highlights the stories of unsung leaders and the ways regular Americans can cut through noise, find resilience, and change the national conversation for the better. Jason Dempsey (@Jason_K_Dempsey) is a bad-ass warrior-scholar. A former Army infantryman with a PhD in politics who loves beer and bikes. A professor, author, researcher, combat veteran and one of the country’s foremost experts on civil-military relations, Jason is West Point graduate, a PhD, and Adjunct Senior Fellow of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and a powerful voice that must be heard. He led units on the ground in Afghanistan, served inside the White House, and literally wrote the book on the modern United states military: Our Army: Soldiers, Politics, and American Civil-Military Relations. He’s also a dad, a lover of good beer and no-BS guy who pulls no punches. Jason previously appeared in Episodes 95  (January 14, 2021) and Episode 76 (Sept. 10, 2020).  In his day job he works to help veterans make the transition from military service to higher education, but he also writes and speaks regularly on issues at the intersection of domestic politics, war, and the American military and will be discussing this and more in a course he is teaching on civil-military relations at Columbia University this spring. These are times where there are more questions than answers, but we’re going to bring you the voices and the thought leaders that can provide the information and clarity you need to help you navigate these turbulent times. 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 holidays.  -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. Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook 

In this must-hear breaking news episode, host Paul Rieckhoff and Washington Post Pentagon reporter and returning guest Dan Lamothe dig into the shocking September 2 “drug boat” strike that allegedly included a second “double tap” hit on survivors in the water—and why this may become the first real legal and political test of Trump’s controversial boat strike campaign. They unpack who gave which orders, what Congress can demand, how video evidence could change everything, and why the Navy and Pentagon leadership are under new scrutiny from all sides.​ Paul and Dan also break down the pre-Thanksgiving targeted shooting of West Virginia National Guard soldiers in Washington, DC—one killed, one critically wounded—and what it reveals about domestic security, vetting, immigration politics, and the dangerous rush to be first instead of right when governors and politicians post about casualties. The conversation then zooms out to looming US strikes on Venezuela, ongoing war in Ukraine, and what happens if American aircraft go down on foreign soil in the middle of a fragile, hyper-partisan environment of misinformation. The guys also dig into negotiations and fault lines in Ukraine, how China may be quietly benefiting from America’s distractions, and how a potential Venezuela operation could spin out politically and militarily without clear, credible communication.​ In one of the most jaw-dropping segments, Paul and Dan dig into the collapse of the traditional Pentagon press corps: CNN, The New York Times, Fox, and The Washington Post have now been fully pushed out of the building–and radical conspiracy-pusher Laura Loomer, MyPillow-linked outlets, and fringe “truth tellers” have taken over their access–and their desks. And they’re talking junk about it.  Dan and Paul also drill down on Trump’s plans to attend the Army–Navy game later this month, what to look for, how that once-unifying event is now becoming a hyper-political stage, and why announcements and personnel moves tied to the game have mattered before—and could again.  Plus, Dan shares why time with teachers, cops, and old classmates far from DC can be grounding in a moment of national whiplash. Paul gives a shoutout to the unifying Detroit Lions Thanksgiving halftime show with Eminem and Jack White—and why small cultural moments like that matter when the news is this heavy. 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. Past appearances by Dan Lamothe: Episode 96, Episode 154, Episode 185, Episode 206, Episode 245, Episode 318, Episode 332 and Episode 357. -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 holidays.  -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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram  X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Ways to listen:Social channels: