NEW EPISODE · JULY 13, 2026 · EP 572
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Vol. V · No. 572Monday 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 Paul saw the Platner collapse coming after the very firs. Why Paul saw the Platner collapse coming after the very first interview

02

The Nazi tattoo, the Reddit posts, and a vetting process tha. The Nazi tattoo, the Reddit posts, and a vetting process that somehow missed both

03

Jamie Harrison defends the Democratic establishment. and Paul pushes back hard

04

"Grown in vats". the fantasy of the outsider candidate versus the reality of governing



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.