Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

War reveals who people are—the best of us and the worst of us. In this special episode, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff takes you inside his fiery appearance on MSNBC’s Deadline White House with Nicolle Wallace, sounding the alarm about Trump’s reckless march toward war with Iran, the extremism driving today’s culture wars, and the urgent need for real leadership and accountability. Fresh off hits on NewsNation and Stephen Colbert, he explains why this could actually be one of the most unifying moments in recent American history—even as the drumbeats of war grow louder in the Middle East and chaos spreads at home, with opposition to a new war in Iran rising from NFL legends like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed to conservatives like Newt Gingrich and unlikely critics like Megyn Kelly and Steve Bannon.​

Rieckhoff digs into how Trump and his allies have crossed into every part of American culture—sports, entertainment, even Spongebob—and why the backlash matters, from the growing popularity of opposing ICE to a broad public rejection of another Middle East war and the central role of independents—now roughly 45% of the country—in defending core American values. He goes deep on the stakes for veterans and military families, including alarming new moves by the VA to put homeless veterans under guardianship and a broader effort to turn the Pentagon into the tip of the spear for an extreme culture war—from banning books and rolling back women’s rights to pushing Christian nationalism—calling it the most dangerous course for America’s future and a test for politicians, retired generals, civic leaders, and every independent American

-WATCH full video of this episode here.

-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.

-Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.

-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

Connect with Independent Americans:

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms

Read more at Substack

Support ad-free episodes at Patreon 

Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook 

Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
-Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. 

-And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year. 

Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. 

And now part of the BLEAV network! 

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xAttack on Michigan Synagogue. Tragedy and Heroism at ODU’s ROTC. Bombing Civilians is Bad. Trump Drops Russian Oil Sanctions. UFO General Missing. RIP Rick Bolanos. Mid-East F1 Cancelled.

American caskets are coming home again. In this fierce, fiery Friday episode, Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the escalating “Iran overflow” war, the KC‑135 crash that killed six American service members, the growing drumbeat of troop movements into the Middle East, and the total failure of Congress to do its job on questions of war and peace. He calls out Trump’s illegal “no quarter” rhetoric, Pete Hegseth’s authoritarian war on the press, ICE’s abuses at home, and the dangerous normalization of UFC “Freedom Fights 250” on the White House lawn—while reminding listeners why if you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.​

Then Medal of Freedom recipient, Air Force veteran, and TAPS founder Bonnie Carroll returns to go deeper on what really happens when someone is killed in action, in training, in terror attacks at home—or lost to suicide. Paul and Bonnie unpack the brutal realities of casualty notifications, the lifelong journey for surviving families, and the heroic work TAPS is doing right now for the loved ones of those lost in Iran, Iraq, Old Dominion, Michigan, and beyond—and how you can help. It’s a powerful conversation about grief, courage, accountability, and hope that will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to stay vigilant.

-WATCH full video of this episode here.

-Check out and support TAPS and all of their programs. And the TAPS Honor Guard Gala which is an amazing event every year.

-Urge your representatives to support and pass the Richard Star Act and protect veterans' retirement pay and disability compensation.

-Take a moment and honor the legacy of Vietnam Veteran hero Rick Bolanos.

-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.

-Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.

-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

Connect with Independent Americans:

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms

Read more at Substack

Support ad-free episodes at Patreon 

Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook 

Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
-Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. 

-And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year. 

Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. 

And now part of the BLEAV network! 

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

Trump Endorses Jake Paul. VA Wants to Institutionalize Homeless Vets. The Loud X Minority. We Need An Indy to Run vs Fetterman. Italy Wins, Saves USA. 

Trump’s Iran war is spiraling, controversy is overflowing, the world is in chaos, enemies are celebrating, the VA is quietly grabbing new power over homeless vets, and John Fetterman is MIA on a horrific school strike in Iran—so Paul fires up the mic for a solo episode that pulls no punches and looks around the corner at what’s coming next. From Iran to California drone threats, from outrageous “war slop” videos out of the White House to the FBI playing fanboy with UFC fighters at Quantico, this episode is a rapid-fire briefing for independent Americans who refuse to drink the bullshit both parties are serving. Paul breaks down why most Americans are not as divided as the algorithms want you to believe, why independents (especially in Pennsylvania and South Carolina) are the real sleeping giant, and how celebrity, culture, sports and even the Paralympics are being weaponized in this new era of global conflict. He closes with a powerful, emotional story of a high school hockey player who turned unimaginable loss into a double-overtime miracle—and a reminder that heroism, community and hope are still out there if you know where to look.

-WATCH full video of this episode here.

-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.

-Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.

-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

Connect with Independent Americans:

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms

Read more at Substack

Support ad-free episodes at Patreon 

Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook 

Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
-Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. 

-And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year. 

Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. 

And now part of the BLEAV network! 

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

Rogan & Bannon Question Iran. Ignorant Outrage Over Troops Steak & Lobster. Hegseth to Approve All Hegseth Photos. Drones: “The Factory is the Weapon”. Ray Lewis Mad. Italy Stuns US. Adebayo’s 83! 

On this Wartime Wednesday episode of Independent Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff takes you inside the rapidly escalating war in Iran, what it really means for troops and families, and why 76% of Americans now oppose it. From a deadly U.S. strike on an Iranian school and new Pentagon revelations, to drone warfare, Cyber Command leadership, the Strait of Hormuz, and the viral Heath “lobster and steak” for Troops outrage, Paul breaks down the stories everyone should be tracking—but most news and politics shows are missing.​ Because we didn’t just start covering national security and war when the war with Iran started. We focus on it always. And this is one of the few shows out there hosted by a combat veteran who gets it. 

You’ll also hear about wounded soldiers returning from the Middle East and speaking out, why cheap drones are the top threat of this war, and how America is still not ready enough at home or abroad. Paul hits veterans’ benefits battles in Congress, the candidacy of retired General Sean Harris in Marjorie Taylor Greene’s open Congressional seat in Georgia, and why independents remain the needle in American politics—plus culture and sports updates from Miley’s Hannah Montana return to the World Baseball Classic, the USA at the Paralympics, and NFL legends Ed Reed and Ray Lewis pushing back on Trump’s war propaganda.

-WATCH full video of this episode here.

-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.

-Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.

-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

Connect with Independent Americans:

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms

Read more at Substack

Support ad-free episodes at Patreon 

Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook 

Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
-Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. 

-And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year. 

Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. 

And now part of the BLEAV network! 

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

Iran War Opposed by Most Americans. Senator Ron Johnson Hates Vets. Dr Dre is a Billionaire. USA Sled Hockey Rocks.

Trump’s deeply unpopular war in Iran is escalating, US troops are being wounded in large numbers, and the war on the truth is raging—so Paul Rieckhoff is back with a fast, fiery solo episode to help you cut through the chaos, fueled by G. Love & Special Sauce and fresh off a big night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. From new reporting on undisclosed American casualties and oil shocks in the Strait of Hormuz to Trump’s all‑gas‑no‑brakes foreign policy and a Congress with “no plan to stop him,” Paul breaks down what’s really happening, why it feels like Iraq all over again, and what eternal vigilance looks like for you right now.​

He digs into Trump’s forever war, the overextended US military, and the historic unpopularity of the Iran conflict—less support than Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan—while calling out senators who act more like pundits than leaders and demanding a real plan to constrain presidential war powers. Along the way he blasts Senator Ron Johnson for blocking the bipartisan Richard Starr Act that would ensure wounded combat veterans get both the disability and retirement pay they’ve earned, pulls back the curtain on his latest Colbert appearance and his push to draft Stephen to run as an independent against Lindsey Graham, spotlights Independent Veterans of America, and still finds room for joy—from USA sled hockey’s Paralympic dominance and the World Baseball Classic to Dr. Dre’s long‑awaited billionaire status and what the “year of the billionaire” says about America now.

-WATCH full video of this episode here.

-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.

-Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.

-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

Connect with Independent Americans:

Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms

Read more at Substack

Support ad-free episodes at Patreon 

Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook 

Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky
-Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. 

-And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year. 

Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. 

And now part of the BLEAV network! 

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