NEW EPISODE · AUGUST 7, 2026 · EP 594
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Vol. V · No. 594Friday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 318

Dan Lamothe

  This is what blowing things up looks like. Radical, damaging and confusing for millions.

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Mamdani's Board of Elections rejects 42,000 open-primaries p. Mamdani's Board of Elections rejects 42,000 open-primaries petitions in New York City

02

Why open primaries are the frontline fight for one million i. Why open primaries are the frontline fight for one million independent New Yorkers

03

Tucker Carlson, MTG, Massie and Joe Kent huddle in Maine. a third party is not independence

04

Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan primary win and the Democratic civ. Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan primary win and the Democratic civil war between moderates and the DSA



 

This is what blowing things up looks like. Radical, damaging and confusing for millions. With so much unnecessary stress on regular Americans. This is what chaos looks like. This is what mayhem looks like. This is what Trump 2.0 looks like.

As the country struggles to grapple with the chaotic transition your host Paul Rieckhoff rips into all of it. From Pete Hegseth’s confirmation and the lack of resistance from the Democrats to the next on the chopping block, resident kook RFK Jr. and his antivax nonsense. None of it is normal and none of it makes us safer.

And with the military and the pentagon squarely in the crosshairs, we’ve got the perfect guest to help break it all down. The Washington Post’s Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) is one of the best military and Pentagon reporters in America. He has written about the US Armed Forces for more than a decade, traveling extensively, embedding with each service, and covering combat in Afghanistan numerous times. He’s a voice of clarity in the turbulent times and this conversation will leave you smarter, better informed and there’s no spin, no agenda, no bullshit. 

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 content for the 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and veterans issues. 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. 

Past appearances by Dan Lamothe: Episode 96, Episode 154, Episode 185, Episode 206, and Episode 245 

Be sure to check out the show now on our YouTube page here.

Watch the full episode here.