Charlie Sykes sits down with Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Independent Veterans of America, for a wide-ranging conversation about America’s mass shooting crisis, the culture of grievance fueling extremism, and the dangerous consolidation of presidential power. Rieckhoff highlights the role of isolation and disconnection among young men, the failures of political leadership, and the urgent need for new role models. It’s not all bad news though. The two also discuss the rise of independent veteran candidates as a possible antidote to partisan dysfunction.
To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes: Paul Rieckhoff – Grievance, Guns, and Power
The Brief
→ Four things from today’s episode
01
Paul opens from Lower Manhattan under the Tribute in Light o. Paul opens from Lower Manhattan under the Tribute in Light on the week of the 25th anniversary of 9/11
02
Mayor Mamdani’s release of thousands of documents confirming. Mayor Mamdani’s release of thousands of documents confirming the government lied to first responders about post-9/11 toxins
03
“They lied. Our friends died. And more will die this week.”. Paul names Giuliani, Bloomberg, and Adams by name
04
Why every politician. Trump, Mamdani, all of them — should stay the hell away from the 9/11 ceremony
Show Notes
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