NEW EPISODE · JULY 23, 2026 · EP 581
581 EPISODES SUBSCRIBE →
Vol. V · No. 581Thursday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 432

Body Cams for ICE

  It’s only Tuesday–and this week is already on fire.

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

The human cost first. Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, killed in Iraq, and two more service members killed in Jordan

02

50,000 US troops in harm's way and 40% of the Navy committed. 50,000 US troops in harm's way and 40% of the Navy committed to a war Congress never declared

03

Hegseth on the Hill with his hat in hand. after insisting he didn't need Congress in the first place

04

'First you commit the country, then you commit the troops'. the doctrine Trump inverted




 

It’s only Tuesday–and this week is already on fire. From ICE stalking kids and now Haitian caregivers, to Trump openly musing about “taking over” the fall mid-term elections and flirting with the Insurrection Act, Paul kicks off this all‑new daily episode with a blistering run through the wildest news of the day: Jill Biden’s ex‑husband charged with murder, Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, a delayed moon mission, and another massive Russian barrage on freezing Ukraine.​

Then, Democratic strategist, nonprofit advisor and attorney Kaivan Shroff joins Paul from New York to get extremely reasonable about a Democratic Party that seems determined to eat its own. They dig into why the Democrats can’t get out of their own way, overly focus on identity politics, and continue to hemorrhage voters nationwide. And they focus on the headline-snatching Texas Senate Democrat primary food fight between James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett, Colin Allred’s “mediocre Black man” moment, and how very online identity wars and racial politics are distracting the Dems from from attracting independents, beating Republican Ken Paxton, winning back Texas, and actually stopping Trump.​ What the hell is wrong with the Democrats? So much. 

Paul and Kaivan also break down why so many liberals are suddenly buying guns, what that means for suicide risk and public safety, and how Trump’s ICE crackdown and gun restrictions have even hardcore Second Amendment advocates furious at the government he now runs. They explore whether this crisis could finally force a new, common‑sense unity and breakthrough national conversation about guns, civil liberties, and what real “law and order” looks like in Trump’s America.

Because 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 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.

WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now.

-Check out Kaivan’s SubStack and also his podcast Extremely Reasonable.