NEW EPISODE · JUNE 5, 2026 · EP 542
542 EPISODES SUBSCRIBE →
Vol. V · No. 542Saturday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 270

Ukraine at a Crossroads

Welcome to Independent Americans. And welcome to March.

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Rubio's Capitol Hill claim that "epic fury is over". and why Iran hitting the Kuwaiti airport says otherwise

02

Why the White House insists this isn't a war. skip the war, skip the congressional authorization

03

The most dangerous summer ahead. Iran, Ukraine, Ebola, the World Cup, and America 250 as a homeland threat surface

04

Trump's DNI pick with no intelligence experience. and what that signals about the secret purge of the IC


Welcome to Independent Americans. And welcome to March. 

The weather is changing. It’s warming up and spring is so close you can almost smell it. But instead you’re probably smelling something different in the air. Something a lot less pleasant. It’s a smell that’s always been pervasive in Washington, DC and also on television and the airwaves. But in the last couple of years the smell has gotten out of control. It’s everywhere. It comes out of random strangers at random times. You can’t escape it. It’s everywhere. It’s bullshit.

Whether it’s a government shutdown, or America abandoning Ukraine, or two old men apparently nobody wants for President running for President, we are drowning in bullshit. And when you’re drowning in bullshit, you’ve got to reach for the truth. And you’re gonna get it in this episode. From Paul Rieckhoff on Nikki Haley dropping out, Biden being too old, Trump being too toxic, SecDef Austin being too slow, and much more. To include Ukraine. 

Tim Mak (@timkmak) is a man on a mission to find the truth. Tim is an investigative journalist with a background in politics, national security, and emergency medicine. He’s the author of a book about the inner workings of the NRA, titled ‘Misfire.’ and he’s a former U.S. Army medic and EMT. His writing has been featured in Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, The Daily Beast, Politico Magazine, and the L.A. Times. And you can hear him regularly on NPR’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Politics Podcast.

He’s reported abroad from such places as Ukraine, South Sudan, Djibouti, Israel, Japan and Hong Kong. And now, he’s launched his own new media venture called The Counteroffensive. He’s taking people deep inside the war in Ukraine. And he joins host Paul Rieckhoff for a look behind the front lines at the people who are feeling abandoned and betrayed by America. It’s a heavy dose of truth, but it’s a lot better than the bullshit. If you like bullshit, this ain’t your place.

Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by Paul Rieckhoff is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And it always delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and veterans issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans will continue to be your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope.