NEW EPISODE · MAY 22, 2026 · EP 530
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Vol. V · No. 530Saturday 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

Breaking. Tulsi Gabbard resigns as DNI — personal reasons, or the latest Iran defection after Joe Kent?

02

Why Cuba is next. Raul Castro charged with murder, Nimitz in the Caribbean, Stephen Miller on Fox — the same playbook used on Iran and Venezuela

03

Trump downplays the 13 American service members killed in Ir. Trump downplays the 13 American service members killed in Iran and says he 'gets a kick' out of the coverage

04

The $14 billion Taiwan arms sale put on pause because Iran i. The $14 billion Taiwan arms sale put on pause because Iran is becoming a sucking chest wound



 

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.