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Independent Americans host and Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff takes you behind the scenes of his fiery CNN Newsroom clash with former Congressman and fellow Iraq vet Peter Meijer over President Trump’s escalating Iran strategy and the deadly strike on an Iranian school that killed scores of children and teachers. In this raw, real-time debrief, Rieckhoff explains why Trump’s rush to blame Iran despite independent analysis suggesting U.S. responsibility shreds American credibility, feels like “deja vu all over again” for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and risks dragging America into another open-ended Middle East war most Americans do not want.​ He breaks down Trump’s “all gas, no brakes” approach—from regime-change talk and operations in at least eight countries in a year without real debate or authorization, to juvenile White House war memes that trivialize the very real costs for U.S. troops and civilians across the region—while slamming both parties in Congress, including Democrats like Senator Richard Blumenthal, for failing to enforce the War Powers Act or put real guardrails on the commander in chief. Drawing sharp lessons from Iraq’s 20-year quagmire, Rieckhoff warns Iran could be even more dangerous and costly if we don’t learn from history—and makes the case that Americans must demand transparency, real debate and actual votes before war, now more than ever. -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! 

When Donald Trump launches a war on Iran, hits a whole new country in Ecuador, talks openly about striking Cuba next—and Congress can’t even be bothered to interrupt its weekend to hold an emergency session—you know America has a serious problem. In this all–new episode of Independent Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff takes you inside his fiery appearance on MSNBC’s Deadline White House with Nicolle Wallace, where he confronts Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal and calls out a weak, failed Congress that is “not even a speed bump” to Trump’s most dangerous impulses. Rieckhoff asks the question every American should be asking our so–called leaders right now: What are you going to do about it? He lays out how Trump can effectively do anything he wants with the most powerful military in the world, why the Iran War Powers vote is coming days after the war already started, how six American service members were killed while Congress dithered, and why both parties deserve blame for letting this runaway train barrel toward boots on the ground. From the risks of a wider regional war to the hard truth that “being sad and angry is not a course of action,” this episode is a clear, independent, unapologetically patriotic call for accountability and a real plan B. If you’re tired of tweets, cable hits, and empty outrage—and you want straight talk, deeper context, and concrete ways to push your representatives to finally do their jobs—this is your briefing. -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! 

Paul Rieckhoff sits down with former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Air National Guard combat veteran and star of the new film “The Last Republican,” now on YouTube. They dive deep into the escalating Iran war—with no clear endgame, potential boots on the ground, civilian casualties including a possible U.S. strike on an Iranian girls’ school, and Congress failing to check Trump’s power via War Powers resolutions. Kinzinger warns Trump may get bored and abandon the mess, analyzes threats like ICE under new head Markwayne Mullin, Cuba invasion risks, drone dangers at home, GOP corruption, and the urgent need for a pro-democracy coalition. He discusses his future (hint: considering independence), Ukraine’s aid offers, and why Democrats must fight harder now. Plus, hope amid chaos: Paralympics, World Baseball Classic, and building an independent movement. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Check out Adam’s SubStack https://substack.com/@adamkinzinger here. -Watch the documentary The Last Republican on YouTube for free 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! 

In this all-new episode of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff hits all the breaking news and most urgent topics with bestselling author of The Perfect Storm and Tribe, war reporter, and documentarian Sebastian Junger for a raw, unflinching conversation about the unfolding war in Iran, a US Senator snapping the arm of a protestor, the follies of regime change wars, the human costs of American adventurism, Trump and Hegseth’s nasty brand of fake-leadership, courage, patriotism, and what it really means to live — and almost die — for something bigger than yourself.  Together, Paul and Sebastian dig into the cost of America’s forever wars, the invisible wounds carried by veterans and journalists, and the hard truths most politicians would rather ignore. Paul and Sebastian dig into the real cost of our forever wars, the invisible wounds carried by veterans and war reporters, and why so many Americans feel unmoored and alone in their own country right now. If you’re sick of the spin and hungry for a tough, honest, independent conversation about where we go from here, this one’s for you.​ -WATCH full video of this episode here. -And SebastianJunger.com for his entire catalog. -Check out Sebastian’s latest piece on his SubStack here.   As mentioned on the show:  -To help the families of our fallen servicemembers in this time of unimaginable pain and loss, support the heroic work of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): https://www.taps.org.  -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! 

Trump has struck nine foreign countries in the past year and just opened a new front in Ecuador—while thousands of Americans remain stranded near Iran with no clear evacuation plan. From Times Square after sparring with Democrat Senator Blumenthal on MSNow, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff blasts a Congress acting more like “mall cops” than a check on Trump’s runaway war powers. In this quick‑fire solo pod, Paul unpacks the escalating Iran conflict, honors fallen troops by name, and exposes a bipartisan “Chickenhawk Club” eager to send others to fight while keeping their own families safe. He also breaks down how Trump’s team has left bases worldwide on edge, why the Pentagon is scrambling for munitions, and how Washington still lacks a plan for the new generation of veterans it’s creating. Plus, Paul dives into America’s broken primary system, key Texas primary shifts, and a surge of independent veteran candidates like Montana’s Seth Bodner proving that independents are the needle. And for some balance after the battle talk, he hits sports and culture—from the World Baseball Classic and Paralympics to the Oscar‑nominated short Armed Only with a Camera, honoring journalist Brent Renaud and those who show the real cost of war. -WATCH full video of this episode here. As mentioned on the show:  -To help the families of our fallen servicemembers in this time of unimaginable pain and loss, support the heroic work of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): https://www.taps.org.  -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! 

  Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff breaks down Trump’s fast‑escalating war with Iran, the rise of deadly drone warfare, and what it all means for American troops, families, and civilians worldwide. Then, regular guest and legendary CNN Pentagon reporter Barbara Starr joins Paul to cut through the chaos, dissect the Pentagon’s long‑delayed press briefings, and explain why “air power alone” won’t deliver victory in Iran—or anywhere else. From unprotected American troops killed in a makeshift Kuwaiti trailer, to embassies under threat and chaotic evacuation warnings, this episode exposes how badly Washington has prepared for the conflicts it helped ignite. Paul and Barbara also spotlight the now 6 American troops killed in action, the viral story of the downed American F‑15 pilot, the courage and professionalism of women in combat, and the mental‑health toll on service members, vets, and families now bracing for a long, uncertain war. If you care about the troops, the truth, and the future of American democracy in a time of permanent crisis, this is a must‑listen. -WATCH full video of this episode here. As mentioned on the show:  -To help the families of our fallen servicemembers in this time of unimaginable pain and loss, support the heroic work of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): https://www.taps.org.  -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. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. 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  •onnect: 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! 

  The war is on. The U.S. and Israel are continuing major strikes against Iran in what the Pentagon is calling Operation Epic Fury—killing the Ayatollah and triggering a cascade of drone attacks, friendly fire incidents, and four American service members killed in action (so far), while Trump threatens boots on the ground and Congress was home for the weekend and never even bothered to vote on it all. This is not working, America.  In this episode of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff explains and makes sense of the choas–and is joined by returning champion Nolan Peterson—Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, former Air Force Special Operations pilot combat vet, war reporter, Pentagon defense consultant, and co-founder of American Veterans for Ukraine—to explain what is really happening in the skies over Iran, the drone war already reshaping modern combat from Kyiv to Tehran to Tel Aviv, and what could be coming to our own shores from an aviation and drone expert who has spent over a decade living in Kyiv through full-scale war. Paul and Nolan unpack the three ways drones are transforming warfare: tactical battlefield dominance; unconventional strategic operations like Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web (which you need to know about), and the reimagining of strategic air power via cheap, mass-produced drones. They confront the nightmare scenario generated by the Iran war of an adversary using that same technology to strike the American homeland and examine what it means that the Pentagon just kicked AI company Anthropic out for refusing to put AI into the kill chain—right before launching a new war. This is the show for people who refuse to zone out, digging into the failures of Congress, the human cost borne by military families, and Nolan’s emotional reflections on welcoming home the next generation of veterans; Episode 453 is raw, urgent, and essential listening.  Skip the corporate and partisan media. They can’t be trusted. Especially in times like this. Hook into Independent Americans, declare your independence and stay vigilant.  -WATCH full video of this episode here. -See Nolan’s Bio and follow him on X.  -To help the families of our fallen servicemembers in this time of unimaginable pain and loss, support the heroic work of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): https://www.taps.org  -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. 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! 

  Trump launched an unauthorized, unpopular war with Iran, and Independent Americans host and national security expert Paul Rieckhoff joins MSNOW’s “The Weekend” to break down what it means for our troops, our Congress, and our future.  In this special episode, Paul shares a searing on‑air conversation about three fallen American service members, Trump’s choice to hit eight countries in a year, and a Congress that can’t be bothered to hold an emergency session as a new war unfolds. He lays out why this is the worst‑case scenario of an unchecked Trump presidency, why the Constitution is failing as a guardrail, and why both parties—especially House Republicans—must finally step up. Paul explains how Trump is “all gas, no brakes,” wielding the most powerful military on Earth with almost no oversight—and what could happen if he decides to hit Cuba, Mexico, or anywhere else next.  He connects the dots between foreign policy, domestic politics, and public that’s stunningly silent on issues of war as Trump keeps piling up the targets.  -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. 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! 

  War with Iran could happen this weekend — and that’s not hyperbole. In Episode 451 of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff brings in nuclear policy expert Joe Cirincione to break down what U.S. intelligence actually says about the Iran threat (spoiler: it doesn’t back Trump’s claims), the terrifying intersection of AI and nuclear weapons, and why removing humans from the kill-decision chain isn’t just bad policy — it’s existential. Plus: the jaw-dropping standoff between Anthropic and the Pentagon, where one of America’s top AI companies is refusing to let the government use its technology for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. This episode also covers Pakistan declaring open war on Afghanistan, a U.S. military laser accidentally shooting down a CBP drone in El Paso, Hegseth’s culture war on the Boy Scouts while real wars loom, a draft executive order seeking expanded presidential control over elections, and ICE’s continued lawless rampage — including the death of a blind Buffalo refugee abandoned in the cold. Episode 451 is essential listening for anyone trying to understand the most dangerous national security moment since the Cold War. Subscribe, share, and stay vigilant. -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. 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! 

  Paul Rieckhoff is stuck in Florida — airports shut down, snowstorm paralyzing the Northeast — but he’s not going quiet. In this special episode, Paul breaks down Trump’s State of the Union address in real time, delivering the sharpest analysis you won’t hear anywhere else. The speech clocked in as the longest State of the Union ever delivered. Trump spent exactly three minutes on Iran — roughly 90 minutes in. Paul calls it what it is: a missed opportunity, a half-made case, and a failure of presidential responsibility. The core issue isn’t whether military action against Iran is on the table — it clearly is. The pieces are in place. The forces are arrayed. Paul knows what that looks like firsthand; he was in Iraq when the U.S. went to war in 2003. What’s missing from Trump’s address is the one thing every commander-in-chief owes the American people before pulling the trigger: an honest accounting of the cost. No mention of consulting Congress. No coalition of allies. No preparation for what a long conflict — with real American casualties — could mean. Trump’s approval rating among independents sits at 26%, down ten points from last year. That number tells the story. Then there’s Ukraine. The United States just abstained from a United Nations vote affirming support for Ukraine — standing alongside Saudi Arabia. On the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Paul, who founded American Veterans for Ukraine, doesn’t mince words: it’s a black mark on America’s record, a moment that demanded moral clarity, and a president who chose silence instead. Finally, New York City. Paul weighs in on the viral NYPD snowball incident — where officers were pelted with ice by a mob — and the new mayor’s stunning failure to stand with his police department. Paul breaks down why this moment matters far beyond one incident, and what it signals about a mayor who came into office with the lowest trust from the NYPD in recent memory. This is Independent Americans: straight talk, no party loyalty, and the five I’s to keep you connected. Stay vigilant. -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. 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!