Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Halloween is right around the corner. And things in Washington DC, and the world, couldn’t be any spookier. It's a scary time. There’s still no Speaker of the House. Congress is an epically disgraceful mess. Ukraine is still deep in the fight. Israel is about to unleash hell on Gaza. And Putin and Hamas couldn’t be happier.  And this is an episode that is not afraid to meet the moment. Army vetera...

For 243 episodes, your host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) has reminded us all to #StayVigilant. This weekend was a stark reminder of what that means and why it is important. The horrifying attacks on the Israeli people shocked us all. And times like this are too important to wait to get the information you need. So this episode is a special Quick Response Content (QRC) delivery of what you nee...

The radical political attacks on our military and military leaders are intensifying. Including Trump now threatening to have Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley EXECUTED. And you didn’t hear much about it in the #GOPdebate. Which Trump won despite not being anywhere near the stage. It’s a mess and your host Paul Rieckhoff breaks it all down, plus a great conversation with Andrew Yang ( @Andre...

Fall is here. The leaves are turning. The nights are getting cooler. And everywhere you turn, the stupid is out. From Tuberville’s idiotic endless hold on military promotions to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez’s latest indictment, this fall is definitely a time to stay vigilant. Your host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) tears into the latest headlines, always with a focus on national security an...

September is a busy month. School is back. Football is back. Fall is here.  And so is Zelensky.  Your host Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) breaks it all down. From the Ukrainian President’s visit to Ron DeSantis latest buffoonery to Senator Redneck’s continued hold on military promotions—now is definitely a time to stay vigilant. Every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks...

John McCain’s life of service is an example always. Especially around 9/11. And given the state of the world, America, and our politics, we miss him now more than ever.  He showed us that after tragedy there can be triumph.  McCain showed us how to be, as Hemingway described, “Stronger at the broken places”.  But some things break beyond repair. And that might be the case now for the GOP. As it co...

22 years after 9/11, our host and 9/11 First Responder, Paul Rieckhoff reflects on where we are as a nation, how far we’ve come, what we’ve gained, and what we’ve lost. And–if after all these years–America is now forgetting about 9/11.  He’ll also dig into parallels with the January 6th attacks, new sentences handed down to key leaders of the Proud Boys, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville’s ongoing...

Summer is almost over. But the hits just keep on coming. Bad ones. Like a new school shooting at the University of North Carolina, Senator Redneck’s ongoing blocks on military promotions, and a hurricane hitting the south. But some good hits keep coming too. Like Simon Biles winning a record 8th gymnastics championship, the return of football, and the epic end to the Little League World Series. It...

Well, the first GOP debate is now history. And if you were on vacation or watching baseball, our Paul Rieckhoff has a quick and uniquely independent recap. He watched it so you didn’t have to. He sizes up the field—and Trump’s continued dominance in the polls. And how/if it all appeals to independents on any level.  He’s also got a quick update on Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville’s latest efforts...

August is steamy hot—and so is the news. Trump is indicted again, Senator Tuberville is making dumb moves again. And extremist domestic terrorists are threatening our peace and politicians' lives again. So much for summer downtime, people. This is a time for focus. And as it all unfolds on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. And this summer is still, definitely a time to #StayVigilant.  Paul Rieckhof...

The women’s World Cup is over for the US. But the summer is not. Hawaii is on fire. Billionaires are fighting each other. Trump has more indictments than any podcast has time to cover and finally President Biden has approved F-16s for Ukraine. This summer especially is a time to #StayVigilant.  Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by author, activist and social entrepreneur Paul Rieckhoff...

Our wild and crazy summer of 2023 continues.  In case you haven’t heard, Trump has been indicted again. And that means it’s again, very much a time to stay vigilant. Every episode of Independent Americans hosted by author, activist and social entrepreneur Paul Rieckhoff ( @PaulRieckhoff ) is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s conten...

We’re going inside some of the wildest and most important defense and national security stories of the summer with National Security Reporter for The Messenger and Marine Corps combat veteran, James LaPorta ( @JimLaPorta ). James joins us to take us inside the wild story of Marine Corps veteran Trevor Reed, released from a Russian prison in 2022, and recently wounded fighting in Ukraine. He’ll tak...

Marine Corps fighter pilot Amy McGrath ( @AmyMcGrathKY ) flew 89 combat missions. And ran one of the most-watched 2020 Senate races in America. She is a trailblazing combat veteran, a former Naval Academy professor and a mother of three. And now she’s a regular on MSNBC and leading the fight to protect women’s reproductive health and rights in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Roe decision. She’s a...

Independence is what this nation was founded on. It’s the spirit of our national brand. It was what General—then President George Washington–was all about. It’s where we started, before our political landscape degraded into the dysfunctional and dangerous two party duopoly we have now.  And in his farewell address in 1796, Washington warned that one of the top risks of letting regional loyalties d...

Independence Day is now in the rear view mirror, and as summer heats up, we’re taking a much needed break. The engine that runs Righteous Media and Independent Americans needs a little tune up time at the beach. But before we take some time off we wanted to deliver you some fresh, high-quality and high impact listening. So as you head to the pool, or to the beach, or to work, wherever you listen,...

It’s America’s birthday. July 4th. Independence Day. or INDEPENDENTS Day. Our favorite day of the year around here. And as we load up the car for the beach, or fire up the BBQ, or work the holiday shift, America’s birthday is always a time to stay vigilant.  As the Ukrainians fight a brutal war for their survival, as LGBTQIA+ individuals fight for the recognition of their right to exist and, shame...

#IndependentAmericans WILL determine the 2024 presidential election. Especially in swing states. We are the largest, fastest-growing and most powerful group of voters in America. 50% of vets are independents. 60% of young people. We are free agents—and every candidate will have to earn our votes. But beyond the race for President, the independent movement is real, diverse and growing fast. Fueled...

Trump has finally been arrested. And indicted. Just in time for Flag Day. And just in time for Father’s Day. And it’s most definitely a time to stay vigilant. From the ongoing PGA saga, to the Ukrainian offensive, to primaries that are closed to independents in NYC, Oklahoma and Washington, DC, to the special importance of Father’s Day 2023, this episode is tearing into the most important, urgent...

Smokepocalypse is here. And so are those who want to smokescreen and burn down America. The world is on fire. Literally. So on this anniversary of D-Day, we’re calling in a trusted leader and friend of the show who knows how to fire fires. Fight for others. And fight for America. Rob Serra ( @SerraRob ) is America’s leading advocate for firefighters and first-responders. A renowned activist, techn...

It’s college graduation time. And NBA finals time. And Ukraine spring offensive time. And almost summertime. And for some key insurrectionists, it’s judgment time. And it is definitely a time to stay vigilant.  We’re digging into seditious conspiracy. And insurrection. And what the penalties should be. And how to fight it. And Stewart Rhodes and Trump and the #AmericanInsurgency . Stakes is high....

MTV News gone. And so is Vice. And Buzzfeed News and others. But there was only one MTV News. And while it may be officially dead, its spirit lives on. Forever. MTV News was always about the future. And in this moment of hardship for America, it’s critical that we reflect on our past, to chart out a better future.  The revolution will not be televised. Because TV is dead. But it will be broadcast....

The future is here. Bad and good. From AI and climate change, to self-driving cars and a faster brand of major league baseball. The future is now. And that includes politics. The future is here. And it looks like Yemi Mobolade. The newly-elected INDEPENDENT Mayor of Colorado Springs. He represents the future. A future that is independent.  The future is independent. Whether it’s independent media,...

Michael Steele is a returning guest who always brings the fire. (Hear/watch his previous appearance in Episode 193 from Oct 2022 ) The Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee , Former Lt. Gov. of Maryland has served in all levels of elected and government office and is now a Political Analyst for MSNBC and the host of his own influential political podcast . He ran for the Maryland Sen...

May is here. And it’s supposed to be the time for flowers. We’ll see about that. But next week is teacher appreciation week. A reminder of how much our teachers do. And how much there always is to learn. And, this is definitely time a time to stay vigilant The war rages on in Ukraine. This will be a spring–and likely a summer—of fighting all across Ukraine. And unfortunately, fighting of different...