Independent Americans is a weekly 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.
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Independent Americans is a weekly 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.
357. Dan Lamothe. Hegseth’s War On The Pentagon Press Corp. The Media Walkout You Missed. Trump’s Propaganda Plan Rolls On. Artillery Shells Send Shrapnel Over CA Highway. More Strikes on Venezuelan Boats. Hegseth & Platner’s Nazi Tattoos. Govs vs Trump.
Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
46 minutes
3 weeks ago
357. Dan Lamothe. Hegseth’s War On The Pentagon Press Corp. The Media Walkout You Missed. Trump’s Propaganda Plan Rolls On. Artillery Shells Send Shrapnel Over CA Highway. More Strikes on Venezuelan Boats. Hegseth & Platner’s Nazi Tattoos. Govs vs Trump.
357. Dan Lamothe. Hegseth’s War On The Pentagon Press Corp. The Media Walkout You Missed. Trump’s Propaganda Plan Rolls On. Artillery Shells Send Shrapnel Over CA Highway. More Strikes on Venezuelan Boats. Hegseth & Platner’s Nazi Tattoos. Govs vs Trump.
The Pentagon press corps has walked out. The briefings have stopped. And the most powerful military in the world is being wielded in ways few Americans understand. In Episode 357, Washington Post national security reporter Dan Lamothe returns to Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff to break down an unprecedented crisis of transparency inside the Department of Defense.
Lamothe explains why major news outlets—including the Washington Post, New York Times, and Politico—vacated their Pentagon offices after losing access, how coverage has been replaced by YouTubers, far right-wing propagandists and the MyPillow guy’s TV network, —and what it means for democracy, accountability, and military families. He and your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) unpack the live-fire debacle over a California highway, potential unlawful orders surrounding Venezuela strikes, and how governors and journalists are pushing back against a White House testing the boundaries of power.
Rieckhoff and Lamothe also explore the moral and national security implications of collapsing standards inside the military, from extremist symbols to politicized operations. They talk about what’s next for Pentagon leadership, the risk of normalization amid chaos, and the urgent need for vigilance.
It’s one of the most important and explosive episodes yet—a conversation that underscores the cost of silence when truth itself is under siege.
Stay vigilant, America.
-WATCH video of this episode.
Past appearances by Dan Lamothe: Episode 96, Episode 154, Episode 185, Episode 206, Episode 245, Episode 318 and Episode 332.
-Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and all of the IVA candidates.
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Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
Independent Americans is a weekly 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.
