Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Independent Americans is a weekly news show hosted by Paul Rieckhoff. He’s a fighter, a patriot, and an independent political and media force to be reckoned with. After serving as a soldier in Iraq in 2004, Rieckhoff emerged as one of the most dynamic political and social leaders in America. In every episode, he breaks down the most important issues facing our country. And he interviews the most influential and compelling people. He’s taking on Republicans, Democrats—and everyone in between. If you’re in the angry middle, Independent Americans reminds you that you’re not alone. We’re all in this together. Join the Independent Americans movement and subscribe now. Produced by Righteous Media.

Episodes

343. Dan Osborn. The Independent Vet Is Running Again In Nebraska. The Mechanic vs The Billionaire. Agreeing With Tucker Carlson. Ukraine’s Support Grows. Who’s Your Favorite Ninja Turtle? Coach Youman Wilder - A True Helper. Look Out for the Youngsters.

July 17, 2025 • 44 mins

The summer of 2025 has been a time of chaos. A time of confusion. And a time of distress for many Americans. But for independent Americans it’s been a little bit different. In between all of the moments of turmoil have been glimmers of hope, a chance at a better future. And that better future is being driven by independents. From Jim Walden’s upstart mayoral campaign in New York City to the Badlands of South Dakota and Brian Bengs’...

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342. Todd Achilles. Independent Veteran for Senate in Idaho. National Parks Under Attack. Dan Osborn is Running Again. Trump Threatens to Bomb Moscow. Russia Sanctions Bill Finally Coming. VA’s Cutting 30K. The Fight for Open Primaries is Rolling in NYC.

July 10, 2025 • 45 mins

Things are hot in America this summer. And they’re only getting hotter. The VA is cutting 30,000 jobs, Trump is threatening to bomb Moscow and Beijing, Hegseth is doing Hegseth things at the Pentagon, and New York City is hovering around one hundred degrees while a socialist is leading in the polls for Mayor. Shit is toasty and it’s only gonna get hotter. And your host Paul Rieckhoff is here to tear into all of it with a cool head ...

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341. Congressman Mike Lawler. Independents Day 2025. What Mamdani Means. The Weakness of the GOP in NY. Will He Run For Governor? The AUMF Must Go. Ukraine Sanctions Bill Update. Vets Need Bi-Partisan Support —Especially Now. Happy Birthday, America!

July 3, 2025 • 46 mins

It’s the Fourth of July, and she might be a little dinged up, but after 249 years, America is still standing. And she will keep standing as long as there are independent Americans out there to stay vigilant and ensure that the torch that Lady Liberty holds high above her head as a beacon for all stays lit. And this show will always stay vigilant. Especially on Independence Day. Or INDEPENDENTS Day! It’s a time for us all to reflec...

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340. Senator Angus King. The Only Real Independent US Senator? Trump Bombs Iran. Now the Spin Begins. Can The Senate Stop Him? The Spirit of Joshua Chamberlain. Socialist Mamdani Wins NYC’s Rigged Primary. 1M Independents Blocked Out. The OKC Example.

June 26, 2025 • 48 mins

Trump has bombed Iran. And now, the spin and politics is accelerating faster than a B-2 bomber. And a political bomb dropped on NYC this week as 33-year-old socialist Zohran Mamdani conquered Andrew Cuomo and a cluttered Democratic primary. Now, he’ll take on a wacky Republican radio host, the compromised disaster that is Eric Adams, maybe Cuomo (ugh), and true independent and recent guest on this program, Jim Walden. But there’s...

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339. Sebastian Junger. America at the Breaking Point. Trump Blowing Through Every Red Line. 2,000 More Troops to LA. Will Trump Bomb Iran? The Golden Rule of American War. Props to Everyone After No Kings. Ukraine Is Still Happening. Ice Cream and Grads.

June 19, 2025 • 63 mins

Summer is officially here and things are getting hot. Too hot. From the assassination of state legislators in Minnesota last week to a potential hot war with Iran to more and more troops deployed into American streets, this is one of the tensest times anyone can remember. And in tense times it’s good to get a little perspective. And we’ve got the perfect guest to dish it out. Sebastian Junger returns and he’s not holding anything ...

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338. Barbara Starr. The Battle of Los Angeles. I Tried to Tell You All. Trump Sends Guard and Federal Troops into LA. What Red State Governors Will Do. This is Putin and Bin Laden’s Dream. And Trump’s Military Parade Is This Weekend.

June 12, 2025 • 55 mins

We’re only six months into Trump 2.0 and things are getting bad fast. He was looking for a fight. And he found it. Unrest in Los Angeles has been met with a mobilization of troops that few predicted. But your host, Paul Rieckhoff, did. For five years we’ve been sounding the alarm. Thinking the unthinkable—that has often come true. From COVID, to Trump refusing to leave office, to the January 6th insurrection, to armed violence an...

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337. Mayor Tim Kelly. The Independent Mayor Of Chattanooga. Trump’s Extreme New Recruiting Ad. Elon Is Leaving DC. Hegseth Attacks The USNS Harvey Milk During Pride. Vets Rally In DC. Open Primaries Update. NBA Finals Predictions. Ukraine & Baseball.

June 5, 2025 • 61 mins

America needs leaders. And leaders are in short supply. That seems to be the case in Washington at least. Whether it’s Pete Hegseth’s ongoing hateful attacks on the LGBTQ service members under his command or his self aggrandizing ad or the ongoing chaos at the Pentagon, none of it is efficient and none of it is making any of us any safer. America needs leaders. They’re out there. And more and more frequently they aren’t claiming ...

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336. Mayor Yemi Mobolade. The Independent Immigrant Mayor in the Crosshairs of Trump’s Immigration Crackdowns. Trump’s Golden…Dome. Another Attack on Jews. Senator Redneck for Governor? GOP Pressure on Ukraine Increases. Help Honor Baby Bronx Payne.

May 29, 2025 • 56 mins

Summer is almost officially here and things are already heating up. From the increasing pressure from Republicans to back Ukraine (a massive win for everyone) to Trump’s new half-baked “Golden Dome” defense system to another horrific antisemitic attack on two Israeli embassy staffers in DC, your fearless and always independent host Paul Rieckhoff has you covered. And as the onslaught of crazy news continues to drop, it’s easy to l...

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335. Bonnie Carroll. A Special Memorial Day Conversation with ‘Saint Bonnie’. It’s Memorial Day Every Day in Ukraine. Ben (Not Jerry) Manhandled in DC. Noem’s Immigration Hunger Games. Hegseth’s Afghanistan Witch Hunt. VA Sec Collins Continues to Spin.

May 22, 2025 • 50 mins

335. Bonnie Carroll. A Special Memorial Day Conversation with ‘Saint Bonnie’. It’s Memorial Day Every Day in Ukraine. Ben (Not Jerry) Manhandled in DC. Noem’s Immigration Hunger Games. Hegseth’s Afghanistan Witch Hunt. VA Sec Collins Continues to Spin. It’s Fleet Week in New York City. The Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in decades, the Yankees are in first in their division. It’s a good time to be ...

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334. Brian Bengs. Independent Vet for Senate in South Dakota. Retired LTC and Almost DOGEd Park Ranger. The Toxicity of the Democrat Brand. Running as a (D) vs (I). The New Pope is American!?! Trump Abandons Afghan Allies. And Accepts a $400M Plane Bribe.

May 15, 2025 • 55 mins

There’s a spirit that’s sweeping across America. A growing desire for change. The system is broken. You know, we know it. And it’s kind of starting to feel like everybody knows it. So when the DOGE axe was going to come down on his group of rangers, he started planning. And even though he was later protected from being fired because he was a veteran, the fear and uncertainty didn’t sit with him. Retired Air Force Colonel Brian Ben...

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333. Senator Ruben Gallego. Is He Running for President? Hegseth Firing 20% of Generals. Mike Waltz is Out. Our Apologies to Canada. SCOTUS Upholds Trump’s Trans Purge. Even Trump Won’t Cut VA’s Budget. 9/11 Health Program Attacked. AGAIN. Go Knicks!!!

May 8, 2025 • 62 mins

This show is dedicated to helping elevate the heroes and the helpers. And to identifying the people in our government and political arena that don’t live up to either of those descriptions. From the consistent cruelty of the Trump administration's attacks on our values and, now, our allies, to our national security being continually degraded by the gutting of the Pentagon ranks, the volume of outrageousness is increasing and the hi...

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332. Dan Lamothe. Hegseth’s Wife Has Entered the Chat. SecDef’s Stonewall. McRaven’s Wisdom. They’re Deporting Kids. 9/11 Quackery. Loomer vs Rieckhoff. Political War at the VA. North Koreans in Ukraine. New Indy Vet Brian Bengs For Senate. WTF, Saquon?

May 1, 2025 • 61 mins

We’ve got another great episode with a returning guest. And another big screw up by a returning screw up. That’s right, the Hegseth hits keep coming and at this point it’s a little hard to tell which one is the worst. From Signalgate to the briefing of Elon on our China war plans (remember that one?!) to a latest Signal chat group which includes his wife in briefings of the most top secret nature possible. It’s another day, another...

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BONUS: EPISODE 331: Charlie Sykes’ To The Contrary with Paul Rieckhoff: The Rise of the Fake Tough Guys. Why “Secretary Chaos" (Hegseth) Has to Go.

April 29, 2025 • 49 mins

We’ve got a great bonus pod for you to check out as Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff joined Charlie Sykes for a spirited, no-holds-barred deep dive into everything happening with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, SignalGate and the danger we all face now with this inept leadership at the helm. They explore how a Fox News persona ended up with the nukes, what it means for U.S. national security, and why even Trumpworld is ...

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330. Jim Walden. NYC’s Real Independent Candidate for Mayor. Hegseth Is Shook — And His Own Guys are Coming After Him. Chaos at the Pentagon. Trump’s Not Invoking the Insurrection Act—YET. Rubio Sells Out Ukraine. Thank You, Lee Corso. Smell the Flowers.

April 24, 2025 • 81 mins

The chaos at the Pentagon is getting worse as more and more news stories about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth continue to pour out. And now, the staffers he fired (that he also hired) for allegedly leaking are coming after him. They’re eating their own–and the mayhem is expanding quickly and overwhelming Hegseth and The Building. What happens next? Will Trump fire him? Who could replace him? Who’s watching our nukes?!?! It’s an...

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329. Garry Kasparov. Strategy with the Chess Grandmaster. Defending The Pieces of Freedom. Don’t Chase the Ball. Dangerously Sloppy. Gen Caine Confirmed as CJCS. Insurrection Act Plans. Chopper Crash in NYC. Trump Seizes Border Land. Hello from Cali.

April 17, 2025 • 70 mins

Another week, another walk. And this time it’s somewhere different. We sent your host Paul Rieckhoff west to get some rest and so far it isn’t in the cards. From Trump crashing the economy to breaking news that Pete Hegseth’s cronies were allegedly removed from the Pentagon for leaking word of Elon’s China briefing, there’s a lot to keep up with. Even when you’re “on vacation”. Paul checks in from the home of the Navy SEALS: Corona...

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328. Congressman Don Bacon. The GOP Voice of Reason? The Maverick Republican Challenging Trump on Tariffs, Ukraine, Loomer and More. Is Dan Osborn Running Again? DoD Stonewall. Eric Adams is Corrupt and Not Independent. Tuberville Lies Again. Val Kilmer.

April 10, 2025 • 58 mins

It’s time for another walk. Through the chaos of the last couple of weeks and the signs of spring fighting to break through winter's icy grip. The markets on fire, the world is outraged and our enemies are celebrating. And with so many questions looming about the economy, Trump’s decisions and what’s next for Ukraine, there might not be a better guest to get a gauge of where things stand. He’s maybe the most reasonable Republican ...

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327. Pete Buttigieg. SignalGate Spin (and Outrage) Continues. Musk AGAIN Calls Senator Kelly a Traitor. 4 US Troops Dead in Lithuania. 3,333 More Vets Cut By RFK Jr. Senator Ruben Gallego Holds All VA Nominees. Senator Cory Booker Goes the Distance.

April 3, 2025 • 58 mins

April is here. Spring is here. And some days you just need to go for a walk. To blow off steam. To get away from the office. You name it. There’s never a bad reason to go for a quick walk. But spring isn’t the only thing that’s here. President Mayhem is back. And he is not slowing down. From talking about invading Greenland and Panama and Canada to raising tariffs on all of our trade partners, to alienating our allies in NATO, Mayh...

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326. Congressman Seth Moulton. Signalgate. WTF. Don’t Start a Group Chat About War Plans. Sloppy & Incompetent. People are PISSED. Erasing Jackie Robinson. Deceitful Doug. VA Cuts Will Cost Vet’s Lives. Dems Hit a New Low. RIP George Foreman. Opening Day.

March 27, 2025 • 60 mins

Spring is here and we’re two months in. Two months of crazy. Two months of furor. Two months of chaos. And two months of damage done to the fabric of the country we all love. And just two days after Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff went on CNN to sound the alarm bell and warn that the sloppiness would lead to much, much worse… worse happened. By now you’ve heard about Signalgate, the scandal that has rocked the Trump admi...

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325. Lindsay Church. It’s Not a Trans Ban. It’s a Trans Purge. Trump’s Attack On Trans Troops. Russia’s Great Deal. More Vets Firings. Kids Are Leading. Always Forget. Dems Reach New Low. I Will Teach My Boys to be Dangerous Men. IA’s March Madness Pool.

March 20, 2025 • 80 mins

From Steve Bannon stating that Trump will run again in 2028 (yes, really), to 60,000 more people fired at the Pentagon, to Trump’s horrible deal with Putin on Ukraine—a whole new kind of March madness is here. And if you’re not angry you’re not paying attention. It’s been another week of shocking new lows and political chaos. But we’re starting to see pushback—-and some signs of a resistance forming. But not from the Democrats. An...

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324. Commander Scott Kelly. Musk Called His Brother a Traitor. The Brothers Hit Back. Choose Your Fighter: Elon vs Kelly x2. SpaceX’s Big “Rescue” Mission. Trump Wants Zelensky Out. More Vets Fired. Now They’re Coming for Teachers. VA Sec’s Manipulation.

March 13, 2025 • 63 mins

They’ve faced some of the most extreme challenges human beings have ever faced. They’ve gone through trainings that are specifically designed to make people fail–and they succeeded. They’ve watched the sun rise from the stratosphere and have spent more time in outer space than most people spend outside. And now they’re being attacked by a deranged billionaire. For bravely visiting Ukraine to get a first hand assessment of the sit...

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