Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

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.

-Check out her SubStack post: Your Guide to What the $#&*! Trump is Trying to Do with the National Guard

-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, 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.