Trump’s approval with independents just hit 24%. Republicans are going home to their districts and getting an earful about an unauthorized, unconstitutional, and wildly unpopular war with Iran that is now pulling in the Saudis, the Egyptians, and Iranian proxies from Iraq to Yemen. Paul Rieckhoff calls it what it is — a sucking chest wound — and lays out why Senate Republicans are finally breaking, why Lindsey Graham comparing Trump and Netanyahu to Roosevelt and Churchill isn’t landing, and why supporting the troops means demanding a coherent plan, not a blank check for one man’s war.
From there, the episode moves to John Cornyn refusing to be rolled on Trump’s weaponization slush fund, Todd Blanche’s Epstein problem and his condescending meeting with survivors, and the acting-AG limbo that could stretch into September. And it closes with a tribute to Coach Yeoman Wilder — the New York youth baseball legend who stood up to ICE agents at his practice, protected his players, and reminded a country full of capitulating law firms and universities what actual patriotism looks like. Righteous anger, patriotic hope, and a call to meet the moment.
-WATCH full video of this episode here.
-Millions of American veterans are being locked out of primary elections in the country they served. See what we’re doing to change that.
-Visit Kalshi and trade on anything. Use code [INDEPENDENT] to get ten dollars when you trade ten.
-Join Noble Mobile today and get a $100 bonus when you use code PAUL and stay a member for 2 months!
-Join IVA and help us get independent veterans elected to office.
-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!
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
