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! 

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! 

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! 

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! 

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! 

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.

-Check out Streets of Minneapolis by Bruce Springsteen 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! 

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! 

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! 

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! 

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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! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.