{"id":5922,"date":"2026-01-16T22:43:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T22:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/focus-on-the-insurrection-act-above-all-else-w-asha-rangappa\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T22:43:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T22:43:00","slug":"focus-on-the-insurrection-act-above-all-else-w-asha-rangappa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/focus-on-the-insurrection-act-above-all-else-w-asha-rangappa\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus on the Insurrection Act Above All Else w\/ Asha Rangappa."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=\" width=\"100%\" height=\"210\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><b>Explaining Posse Comitatus and Martial Law. Will He Do it on MLK Day? Trump\u2019s New Nobel Prize: Yuck. Friday Football Playoffs. Kyle Tucker, Kyrsten Sinema and Why The Dodgers Are Like Trump.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most urgent threats to our democracy with returning champion Asha Rangappa, former FBI Special Agent and Yale national security law expert, in an all\u2013new Football Friday episode recorded January 16, 2026. From Venezuela to Venezuela-style tactics at home, they connect the dots on how Trump\u2019s use of military force, deportation crackdowns, and legal maneuvers feed a larger project of power and conquest across the Western Hemisphere, and why the Insurrection Act is now a \u201ccircuit breaker moment\u201d for American democracy.\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Because every episode of Independent Americans breaks down the most important news\u2014and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows\u2014this conversation delivers sharp, accessible explanations of the Insurrection Act, the Posse Comitatus Act, and why using active-duty troops as \u201cbodyguards for ICE\u201d could turn American cities into occupied zones. Paul and Asha lay out how Trump telegraphs his punches, how he could flip the language of \u201cinsurrection\u201d and \u201cdomestic terrorism\u201d onto his political enemies, and what happens when illegal orders collide with the oaths of military leaders and service members.\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>They also go beyond the headlines to track a Western-hemisphere \u201csphere of influence\u201d strategy that looks imported from Moscow and Beijing, the Supreme Court\u2019s looming tariff decision, and the chilling symbolism of Venezuelan opposition leader Mar\u00eda Machado handing her Nobel Prize to Trump\u2014while tying in Ukraine\u2019s brutal winter, the assault on Stars and Stripes, and the erosion of U.S. credibility as France steps in to provide two-thirds of Ukraine\u2019s intelligence. And because it\u2019s Football Friday, Paul closes a heavy episode with playoff picks, wine, the new \u201cIndependent is an Attitude\u201d anthem from producer Chris Rosenthal, and Asha\u2019s shout-out to indie band Mates of State\u2014reminding listeners that staying vigilant also means protecting joy, culture and community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/hx4mo4FTAg4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>-Learn more about Paul\u2019s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/independentveteransofamerica.org\/\"><span>Independent Veterans of America<\/span><\/a><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>&#8211;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/independentamericans\/posts\"><span>Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community<\/span><\/a><span> 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<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>-Check the hashtag <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%23LookForTheHelpers&amp;src=typed_query\"><span>#LookForTheHelpers<\/span><\/a><span>. And share yours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>-Find us on social media or <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independentamericans.us\"><span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us<\/a><\/span><\/a><span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>&#8211;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/merch\/\"><span>And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch<\/span><\/a><span> now in time for the new year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>-Check out other Righteous podcasts like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/\"><span>The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra<\/span><\/a><span>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/unclemontel.us\/\"><span>Uncle Montel &#8211; The OG of Weed<\/span><\/a><span> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bdorm.us\/\"><span>B Dorm<\/span><\/a><span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/righteous.us\/\"><span>Righteous Media<\/span><\/a><span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>And now part of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bleav.com\/shows\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/\"><span>the BLEAV network<\/span><\/a><span>!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Ways to listen:<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe\"><b>Spotify<\/b><\/a><span> \u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667\"><b>Apple Podcasts<\/b><\/a><b> \u2022 <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\"><b>Amazon Podcasts<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>Ways to watch:<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans\"><b>YouTube<\/b><\/a><b> \u2022 <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\"><b>Instagram<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>Social channels:<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans\"><b>X\/Twitter<\/b><\/a><span> \u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social\"><b>BlueSky<\/b><\/a><span> \u2022 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\"><b>Facebook<\/b><\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>\n<p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href=\"https:\/\/pcm.adswizz.com\">pcm.adswizz.com<\/a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most urgent threats to our democracy with returning champion Asha Rangappa, former FBI Special Agent and Yale national security law expert, in an all\u2013new Football Friday episode recorded January 16, 2026. From Venezuela to Venezuela-style tactics at home, they connect the dots on how Trump\u2019s use of military force, deportation crackdowns, and legal maneuvers feed a larger project of power and conquest across the Western Hemisphere, and why the Insurrection Act is now a \u201ccircuit breaker moment\u201d for American democracy.\u200b<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5923,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5922","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\/2026\/01\/ia-promo-square-ep417.jpg",1400,1400,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ia-promo-square-ep417.jpg",1400,1400,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ia-promo-square-ep417.jpg",1400,1400,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ia-promo-square-ep417-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ia-promo-square-ep417-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ia-promo-square-ep417-1024x1024.jpg",750,750,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ia-promo-square-ep417.jpg",1400,1400,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ia-promo-square-ep417.jpg",1400,1400,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ia-promo-square-ep417.jpg",1400,1400,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":"Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most urgent threats to our democracy with returning champion Asha Rangappa, former FBI Special Agent and Yale national security law expert, in an all\u2013new Football Friday episode recorded January 16, 2026. From Venezuela to Venezuela-style tactics at home, they connect the dots on how Trump\u2019s use of&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5922","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=5922"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5922\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5922"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}