NEW EPISODE · SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 · EP 627
627 EPISODES SUBSCRIBE →
Vol. V · No. 627Tuesday Edition
Righteous MediaSince 1776. Est. 2019

Episode 476

Dumb McNamara at the Pentagon

Trump’s Iran war escalates toward Kharg Island while Pentagon staffers privately call Hegseth ‘Dumb McNamara’ and Congress gets rolled on War Powers — again.

The Brief

→ Four things from today’s episode
01

Why diesel and crude prices are cascading through every corner of the economy. and why AI can’t fix your grocery bill

02

The president’s two bad options on Iran. capitulate or escalate materially — and why escalation is the more likely bet

03

Seven Republicans break ranks and vote for a war powers resolution. including hard conservatives, not soft ones

04

Andy Harris vs. Sam Graves in a Freedom Caucus shouting matc. Andy Harris vs. Sam Graves in a Freedom Caucus shouting match over suspending the federal gas tax



Independent Americans host and Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff fires a solo fastball of an episode breaking down the fast-escalating Iran war, the growing danger to American troops from drones and missiles, and Trump’s increasingly unhinged push to put U.S. troops in American cities. From Karg Island traps and “Dumb McNamara” at the Pentagon, to Congress getting rolled on War Powers and insiders cashing in on war and prediction markets, Rieckhoff connects the dots you’re not getting anywhere else—and explains why this moment demands courage, accountability, and vigilance.​

Rieckhoff also spotlights the growing No Kings protests, the stakes in Ukraine as Trump tries to sell out Donbas to Putin, and a new bipartisan bill to stop political gambling by Members of Congress. In classic IA style, he brings the heat and the hope—shouting out Tina Turner, Opening Day, March Madness, and his upcoming conversation with Dropkick Murphys’ Ken Casey—while previewing his hits on MSNBC’s Katy Tur Reports, NewsNation with Connell McShane, and an upcoming appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher. 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.