War with Iran Looms. Colbert vs Trump & the FCC.

ICE, Noem and The War on Free Elections. Ukraine Won the Olympics. Prince Andrew Arrested in England Over Epstein Ties. Hegseth, Tuberville Continue to Embrace Dumb Ideas. Spring Training a Homerun.

The drumbeats of war are growing louder. In this solo episode of Independent Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff reports that President Trump has signaled the U.S. military could strike Iran within ten days — with zero congressional authorization, zero public debate, and zero accountability. Congress is rolling over, America's sons and daughters are in harm's way, and the American people deserve a vote. Meanwhile at home, Paul holds nothing back on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who reportedly pulled a Coast Guard search-and-rescue aircraft away from a missing 21-year-old service member to prioritize a deportation flight, and on ICE's escalating cruelty — including a nine-year-old girl detained in San Antonio for eight months and the heartbreaking death of Ophelia Torres, a 16-year-old who fought cancer while her father was held by ICE. These are not statistics. Paul refuses to let their stories disappear.

Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth's culture war rages on. Paul breaks down Hegseth's move to block military members from enrolling at Harvard, Duke, Johns Hopkins, and dozens more elite universities — followed by the VA's decision to strip veterans of their post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at those same schools. Denmark, one of America's most steadfast NATO allies, now views the U.S. as an adversary, with 60% of Danes saying so. Paul also covers Venezuela strikes without congressional approval, the staggering losses in Ukraine, and a personal word about the courage of Stephen Colbert and the growing chorus of ordinary Americans pushing back.

Paul closes on something good: spring training. He was at Yankees practice in Tampa Bay this morning, where his boys got balls signed by Aaron Judge — proof that community, access, and joy are still very much alive. Episode 445 ends with a clear mission: country over party, people over politics. If you're among the 45% of Americans who call themselves independent, this is your show. Stay vigilant.

-WATCH video of this episode on our YouTube channel.

-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.

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.