{"id":5824,"date":"2025-12-01T23:54:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T23:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/385-dan-lamothe-washington-posts-natsec-reporter-caught-in-the-crossfire-who-gave-the-double-tap-order-is-it-a-war-crime-hegseth-trump-vs-the-press-laura-loomer-deskgate-ar\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T23:54:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T23:54:00","slug":"385-dan-lamothe-washington-posts-natsec-reporter-caught-in-the-crossfire-who-gave-the-double-tap-order-is-it-a-war-crime-hegseth-trump-vs-the-press-laura-loomer-deskgate-ar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/385-dan-lamothe-washington-posts-natsec-reporter-caught-in-the-crossfire-who-gave-the-double-tap-order-is-it-a-war-crime-hegseth-trump-vs-the-press-laura-loomer-deskgate-ar\/","title":{"rendered":"385. Dan Lamothe. Washington Post\u2019s NATSEC Reporter Caught in the Crossfire. Who Gave the Double Tap Order? Is it a War Crime? Hegseth &amp; Trump vs the Press. Laura Loomer &amp; Deskgate. Are Venezuela Strikes Imminent? WV Gov Posts Incorrect Troop Deaths.\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=ANA3211474945\" width=\"100%\" height=\"210\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In this must-hear breaking news episode, host Paul Rieckhoff and Washington Post Pentagon reporter and returning guest Dan Lamothe dig into the shocking September 2 \u201cdrug boat\u201d strike that allegedly included a second \u201cdouble tap\u201d hit on survivors in the water\u2014and why this may become the first real legal and political test of Trump\u2019s controversial boat strike campaign. They unpack who gave which orders, what Congress can demand, how video evidence could change everything, and why the Navy and Pentagon leadership are under new scrutiny from all sides.\u200b<\/p>\n<p>Paul and Dan also break down the pre-Thanksgiving targeted shooting of West Virginia National Guard soldiers in Washington, DC\u2014one killed, one critically wounded\u2014and what it reveals about domestic security, vetting, immigration politics, and the dangerous rush to be first instead of right when governors and politicians post about casualties. The conversation then zooms out to looming US strikes on Venezuela, ongoing war in Ukraine, and what happens if American aircraft go down on foreign soil in the middle of a fragile, hyper-partisan environment of misinformation. The guys also dig into negotiations and fault lines in Ukraine, how China may be quietly benefiting from America\u2019s distractions, and how a potential Venezuela operation could spin out politically and militarily without clear, credible communication.\u200b<\/p>\n<p>In one of the most jaw-dropping segments, Paul and Dan dig into the collapse of the traditional Pentagon press corps: CNN, The New York Times, Fox, and The Washington Post have now been fully pushed out of the building\u2013and radical conspiracy-pusher Laura Loomer, MyPillow-linked outlets, and fringe \u201ctruth tellers\u201d have taken over their access\u2013and their desks. And they\u2019re talking junk about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Dan and Paul also drill down on Trump\u2019s plans to attend the Army\u2013Navy game later this month, what to look for, how that once-unifying event is now becoming a hyper-political stage, and why announcements and personnel moves tied to the game have mattered before\u2014and could again.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Plus, Dan shares why time with teachers, cops, and old classmates far from DC can be grounding in a moment of national whiplash. Paul gives a shoutout to the unifying Detroit Lions Thanksgiving halftime show with Eminem and Jack White\u2014and why small cultural moments like that matter when the news is this heavy.<\/p>\n<p>Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories&#8211;and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It\u2019s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve&#8211;and stay vigilant.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/1bawzpULgtg\"><u>WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Past appearances by Dan Lamothe: <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/96-special-dispatch-dan-lamothe-the-washington-post-pentagon-reporter-breaking-12-national-guard-soldiers-removed-from-inauguration-duty-how-safe-is-dc-inside-the-military-presence-in-washingto\/\"><u>Episode 96<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/154-dan-lamothe-damning-new-reporting-on-the-afghanistan-debacle-military-leaders-clashed-with-the-state-dept-as-kabul-fell-biden-blocks-media-embeds-for-ukraine-where-are-the-whistleblowers-the\/\"><u>Episode 154<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/185-dan-lamothe-washington-post-exclusive-inside-the-carnage-at-kabul-airport-afghanistan-1-year-later-new-airstrikes-in-syria-month-6-of-russias-ukraine-invasion-taiwan-the-arctic-whe\/\"><u>Episode 185<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/206-dan-lamothe-inside-gen-milleys-big-meeting-with-ukrainian-gen-zaluzhnyi-the-looming-spring-offensive-is-the-us-really-running-low-on-artillery-dems-obsess-over-santos-gov-wes-moore\/\"><u>Episode 206<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/245-dan-lamothe-inside-the-us-military-support-for-israel-will-america-go-get-our-hostages-traveling-with-new-joint-chiefs-chairman-gen-cq-brown-tubervilles-holds-cut-deeper-passing-pea\/\"><u>Episode 245<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/318-dan-lamothe-hegseth-is-confirmed-j6-insurrections-go-free-commit-crimes-trumps-hiring-freeze-slams-vets-at-va-82nd-and-10th-mtn-troops-to-the-border-hamas-releases-more-hostag\/\"><u>Episode 318<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/332-dan-lamothe-hegseths-wife-has-entered-the-chat-secdefs-stonewall-mcravens-wisdom-theyre-deporting-kids-9-11-quackery-loomer-vs-rieckhoff-political-war-a\/\"><u>Episode 332<\/u><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/357-dan-lamothe-hegseths-war-on-the-pentagon-press-corp-the-media-walkout-you-missed-trumps-propaganda-plan-rolls-on-artillery-shells-send-shrapnel-over-ca-highway-more-strikes\/\"><u>Episode 357<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>-Learn more about Paul\u2019s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with <a href=\"https:\/\/independentveteransofamerica.org\/\"><u>Independent Veterans of America<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/independentamericans\/posts\"><u>Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community<\/u><\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check the hashtag <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%23LookForTheHelpers&amp;src=typed_query\"><u>#LookForTheHelpers<\/u><\/a>. And share yours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Find us on social media or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.independentamericans.us\"><u><a href=\"http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us<\/a><\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/merch\/\"><u>And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch<\/u><\/a> now in time for the holidays.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check out other Righteous podcasts like <a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/\"><u>The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/unclemontel.us\/\"><u>Uncle Montel &#8211; The OG of Weed<\/u><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/bdorm.us\/\"><u>B Dorm<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led <a href=\"https:\/\/righteous.us\/\"><u>Righteous Media<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe\"><strong>Spotify<\/strong><\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667\"><strong>Apple Podcasts<\/strong><\/a><strong> \u2022 <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\"><strong>Amazon Podcasts<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to watch:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans\"><strong>YouTube<\/strong><\/a><strong> \u2022 <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\"><strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans\"><strong>X\/Twitter<\/strong><\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social\"><strong>BlueSky<\/strong><\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\"><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to listen:Social channels:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/megaphone.fm\/adchoices\">megaphone.fm\/adchoices<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this must-hear breaking news episode, host Paul Rieckhoff and Washington Post Pentagon reporter and returning guest Dan Lamothe dig into the shocking September 2 \u201cdrug boat\u201d strike that allegedly included a second \u201cdouble tap\u201d hit on survivors in the water\u2014and why this may become the first real legal and political test of Trump\u2019s controversial&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/385-dan-lamothe-washington-posts-natsec-reporter-caught-in-the-crossfire-who-gave-the-double-tap-order-is-it-a-war-crime-hegseth-trump-vs-the-press-laura-loomer-deskgate-ar\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">385. Dan Lamothe. Washington Post\u2019s NATSEC Reporter Caught in the Crossfire. Who Gave the Double Tap Order? Is it a War Crime? Hegseth &amp; Trump vs the Press. Laura Loomer &amp; Deskgate. Are Venezuela Strikes Imminent? WV Gov Posts Incorrect Troop Deaths.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5825,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-episodes","entry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/634059a40941a28c0d53194f8661efb0.jpg",800,800,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/634059a40941a28c0d53194f8661efb0.jpg",800,800,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/634059a40941a28c0d53194f8661efb0.jpg",800,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/634059a40941a28c0d53194f8661efb0-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/634059a40941a28c0d53194f8661efb0-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/634059a40941a28c0d53194f8661efb0.jpg",750,750,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/634059a40941a28c0d53194f8661efb0.jpg",800,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/634059a40941a28c0d53194f8661efb0.jpg",800,800,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/634059a40941a28c0d53194f8661efb0.jpg",800,800,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/author\/admin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/category\/episodes\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Episodes<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"In this must-hear breaking news episode, host Paul Rieckhoff and Washington Post Pentagon reporter and returning guest Dan Lamothe dig into the shocking September 2 \u201cdrug boat\u201d strike that allegedly included a second \u201cdouble tap\u201d hit on survivors in the water\u2014and why this may become the first real legal and political test of Trump\u2019s controversial&hellip;&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5824\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}