Willie Geist On ICE Raids, Scarring Kids and Trump Watching Morning Joe.

Football Playoffs, Luke Combs, Bruce Springsteen, Greenland. Winter Storm Fern is Coming. Don Lemon, Tiktok, Paris Hilton, AOC, Stars And Stripes in the Cross Hairs. 

Winter Storm Fern is coming—but so is Willie Geist. In this special Football Friday  episode of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff welcomes back one of the show’s very first guests and one of the most trusted voices in American media: MS NOW Morning Joe co-anchor and Sunday Today host Willie Geist. Together they unpack a blizzard of news and sports, from Trump’s escalating ICE raids and the horrific detention of five-year-old Liam Ramos to the killing of Renee Goode and what this all reveals about power, abuse and basic decency in America right now.​​

They go below the radar on Trump’s mounting assault on the free press—DOJ’s failed move against Don Lemon, the targeting of outlets like Stars and Stripes, and what it’s like to do Morning Joe in a country where the president openly weaponizes the government against media critics. Willie explains why this is exactly the time to lean in, not check out, and why he still sees his work as a public service rooted in gratitude, fatherhood and deep support for veterans.​

And because it’s Football Friday, they also break down NFL Championship Sunday—Patriots–Broncos, Seahawks–Rams, Drake May’s poise vs. Matt Stafford’s firepower—plus Giants, Harbaugh, Skattebo, the Yankees, Don Mattingly and why live sports and music (from Luke Combs to Springsteen in Newark) still bring divided Americans together. If you’re furious about ICE, worried about democracy, but still love football, snow days and a little hope in the storm, this is your episode.

Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s 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--and stay vigilant.

-WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now.

-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.

-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. 

-Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. 

-Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. 

-And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year. 

-Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. 

Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. 

And now part of the BLEAV network! 

Ways to listen:

Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts 

Ways to watch:

YouTube • Instagram 

Social channels:

X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook 

 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.