Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff cover art

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

By: Righteous Media | Bleav
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Independent Americans is a daily news show hosted by Paul Rieckhoff. He’s a fighter, a patriot, and an independent political and media force to be reckoned with. After serving as a soldier in Iraq in 2004, Rieckhoff emerged as one of the most dynamic political and social leaders in America. In every episode, he breaks down the most important issues facing our country. And he interviews the most influential and compelling people. He’s taking on Republicans, Democrats—and everyone in between. If you’re in the angry middle, Independent Americans reminds you that you’re not alone. We’re all in this together. Join the Independent Americans movement and subscribe now. Produced by Righteous Media.2026 Righteous Media. All Rights Reserved. 375380 Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • America Honors Memorial Day. Trump Pays Off Insurrectionists. Republicans Kill War Powers Act.

    America Honors Memorial Day. Trump Pays Off Insurrectionists. Republicans Kill War Powers Act.
    May 25 2026

    It's Memorial Day weekend. Americans are visiting Arlington, honoring generations who stepped forward with integrity, sacrifice, and honor. And days before that solemn marker, the President of the United States floated cash payouts to the domestic terrorists who violently attacked the Capitol on January 6th. Not a pardon. A payout. Paul Rieckhoff and the panel break down why this isn't a tantrum or a distraction — it's strategy. Call it Plan C: when the military won't move and ICE is uncertain, you incentivize the insurrectionists themselves. You signal to every desperate, despised foot soldier that violence against the government will be rewarded.

    From there the conversation pivots to the other sucking chest wound of the week: House Republican leaders scrapping the Iran war powers vote because they didn't have the votes. Congressman Pat Ryan, a West Point grad and combat veteran, says out loud what veterans across the country are feeling — a generation of chicken hawks is sending other people's kids to die again, with Cuba teed up next and an aircraft carrier already in position. The panel maps the fracture lines: Massie carving out an anti-war, anti-tariff, pro-transparency lane; the manosphere abandoning the regime-change crowd; and the 45% of Americans who are independent and unaffiliated, looking for someone — anyone — who will speak for the angry middle.

    -WATCH full video of this episode here.

    -Join IVA and stand up to Trump’s Forever Wars.

    -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.

    -Remember Independent is an Attitude.

    -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!


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    10 mins
  • Gabbard is Out. Before Memorial Day: Trump Downplays KIAs in Iran.

    Gabbard is Out. Before Memorial Day: Trump Downplays KIAs in Iran.
    May 22 2026
    Cuba’s Castro Charged with Murder. Here Comes the Next Regime Change War. Panel Approves Trump’s Stupid Arch. GOP Revolt Over Slush Fund for Domestic Terrorists. Indy Bennett Makes Ballot in Maine. Until Next Time, Stephen Colbert. It's Memorial Day weekend, and Paul Rieckhoff is in no mood to soft-pedal. Tulsi Gabbard has resigned as Director of National Intelligence — the second Trump appointee to defect over Iran in months — and the administration is already telegraphing its next war. The Justice Department just charged Raul Castro with murder. The USS Nimitz arrived in the Caribbean the same day. Stephen Miller is on Fox doing the warm-up act. Meanwhile, the president is downplaying the 13 American service members killed in Iran, pausing a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, ignoring Ukraine, and telling a Coast Guard Academy audience he won't be leaving in 2028. This is a solo briefing for the angry middle, delivered with the urgency the moment demands. Paul walks through the GOP mutiny finally pushing back on Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund for January 6th insurrectionists, the three-plan scheme to disrupt the 2026 midterms, and the independent veterans — from Rick Bennett in Maine to Karen Matthews in California — fighting brutal ballot-access barriers to give the 45% of Americans without a party a real choice. He closes with a Memorial Day reflection on TAPS, the Good Grief camps, and a tribute to Stephen Colbert as a true patriot and conscience for America. This is what no-BS analysis sounds like when the stakes are this high. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump’s Forever Wars. -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. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -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 platformsRead more at SubstackSupport 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    29 mins
  • Trump Plummets in Polls with Independents, $5 Gas, and War With Iran He Can't Spin.

    Trump Plummets in Polls with Independents, $5 Gas, and War With Iran He Can't Spin.
    May 21 2026
    Trump Plummets in Polls with Independents, $5 Gas, and War With Iran He Can't Spin. We’re Not The Spoilers! The Surging Knicks. $1.8B for Insurrectionists and Violent Proud Boy Extremists? Is Cuba Next? Memorial Day Pain is a Reminder. The Real Spoilers are the Parties. Thank you, Stephen Colbert. Trump is in the 20s with independents, gas is over five bucks a gallon in some states, Memorial Day is about to remind Americans of the human cost of his Iran war, and Cuba is looming over the horizon. Meanwhile the administration is funneling what looks like $1.8 billion in taxpayer money to January 6 insurrectionists and violent Proud Boy extremists — including a reported $2-to-5 million ask from Enrique Tarrio. Paul Rieckhoff calls it Plan C: if the military won't invoke the Insurrection Act and ICE can't carry the water, you green-light the angry mob and promise pardons in advance. This is what corruption looks like, and it's the most immediate threat to free and fair elections this fall. In this special quick-fire episode, Paul takes you out of the studio and into the streets of Midtown Manhattan with highlights from two back-to-back media hits — one left of center on MSNOW, one right of center on NewsNation — same independent read on both. He breaks down why ten thousand Americans are walking out of the Republican and Democratic parties every single week, why Thomas Massie just got elevated by Trump's attacks, why the Democrats are the actual spoilers in Senate races in Nebraska, Montana, and South Dakota, and why the rigged two-party system is finally cracking. Plus a Memorial Day shout-out to Stephen Colbert on his last show, and yes — a Knicks pick. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join IVA and stand up to Trump’s Forever Wars. -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. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -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 platformsRead more at SubstackSupport 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
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