Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Trump says he needs expanded spying powers “for our national security.” But are you really good with this government spying on you, with Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and the nationalist crew peeking into your life in the name of “patriotism”? In this fiery solo “Rebel Yell Friday” episode 495, Paul Rieckhoff breaks down Trump’s new Iran deal spin and the fight over the Strait of Hormuz, the dangerous 10‑day FISA surveillance extension, the purge of American generals, and ICE’s ongoing culture of cruelty—from gassing protesters and kicking in doors to detaining an 85‑year‑old WWII widow. He rips into RFK Jr.’s unhinged anti-vax crusade, calls out attacks on NPR, PBS, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, and explains why huge new donations to public media are a win for democracy. From Ukraine’s brutal night under 300 drones and 19 ballistic missiles to the Pope’s social media smackdown of Hegseth, this is national security and politics analysis you won’t get on party-line shows.

Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff sits down with journalist, author, and former CNN anchor and Daily Beast Editor John Avlon—now with The Bulwark— for a fast, insightful, and hopeful conversation about how to fix American politics—before it breaks us. From Iran and the spiraling Middle East crisis, to Trump’s second term, to the Democrats’ brand problem, Avlon brings his “How to Fix It” mindset to moderates, independents, veterans, and frustrated voters who are tired of the bullshit and hungry for reality-based solutions. They dig into the rise of independent voters, the weakness of the Democrat brand, the failure of both parties to provide real leadership, the dangers of performative extremism, and what Teddy Roosevelt’s “man in the arena” can teach us about citizenship, courage, and showing up in 2026 and 2028.

On this "WTF Wednesday," Paul Rieckhoff is joined by the "Great and Powerful" Senator Angus King of Maine to pull back the curtain on a Senate in "total dereliction of duty." As the U.S. Navy deploys 41% of its entire fleet to enforce a blockade against Iran, King—the only true independent in the Senate—sounds the alarm on a war he calls "patently illegal." From the basement hideaway of the U.S. Capitol, King explains why the Biden-Trump era of "all gas, no brakes" foreign policy is crushing the global economy and why Congress has completely abdicated its constitutional responsibility to the American people.

In this explosive episode of Independent Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff sits down with the great and powerful Michael Steele—former RNC Chairman and Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and cohost of MS NOW’s The Weeknight airing weekdays at 7pm ET—for a raw, unfiltered debrief on the current state of the American duopoly. Steele doesn’t hold back, detailing why he believes the Republican Party is currently racing toward a "fucking cliff" and what it actually takes to maintain integrity when your political home has abandoned its foundational principles. From his personal history as a fencer to his perspective as the first African American leader of the RNC, Steele provides a masterclass in political realism and the urgent need for a viable third-party movement in America.

President Trump has escalated his rhetoric to a global scale, launching a stunning series of attacks against Pope Leo, labeling the religious leader "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy." As the 2026 political landscape grows increasingly volatile, host Paul Rieckhoff breaks down why these attacks are driving a historic exodus of Catholic Republicans from the party and why the Pope may be the ultimate "Independent American." But the rhetoric isn't the only thing heating up; following the collapse of peace negotiations, Trump has announced a naval blockade on Iran. Rieckhoff, a combat veteran, explains why this move is an undeniable act of war under international law and issues a blistering call for Congress to end its "dereliction of duty" by holding a formal vote on the conflict.