Can Hungary Keep JD Vance? Pentagon Threatens The Pope. Hegseth vs Driscoll. Dems Finally Get Their Sh&t Together. Twins Die Side by Side in Ukraine. Joe Rogan is One of Us.

Is the American military a tool for national defense or a private army for global conquest? Host Paul Rieckhoff breaks down a volatile week as Donald Trump issues a chilling "warning" to Iran, claiming our military is "loading up" and looking forward to its next conquest. Coming to you from Los Angeles before his appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, Paul drills down into why this rhetoric makes our service members less safe and more hated, and why we must reject the idea that American troops signed up to be a "loaded gun" pointed at anyone’s oil.

This episode also exposes the mounting human cost of the Iran War, with 381 U.S. service members wounded and survivors of the Kuwait attack now bravely disputing the Pentagon's "unprepared" account. From the Pentagon’s bizarre threats against Pope Leo to the ongoing "turf war" between Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, we are tracking the chaos and the helpers. Plus, we look at Ukraine’s dazzling drone success in the Middle East and why Joe Rogan—and 45% of the country—is now officially "politically homeless." Stay Vigilant.

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-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

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The smoke hasn't even cleared from Operation Epic Fury, and the administration is already spiking the ball. While Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declares a "Capital V" military victory, the reality on the ground tells a much more volatile story. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut down and Israel launching independent strikes on Lebanon just hours after a supposed ceasefire, we aren't seeing peace—we’re seeing a "complicated new normal" where American influence is hitting its limit. Paul Rieckhoff joins us to drill down into why this "victory" feels like a dangerous "incomplete" that has left the U.S. more isolated than ever.

We explore the strategic pivot from Iran toward a potential new front in Cuba, as critics warn of a "forever war" mentality that ignores constitutional guardrails. As the 25th Amendment enters the mainstream conversation and military leaders are urged to "break glass" and speak out, the country faces a gut-check moment. Is the U.S. military being used as a pawn in a larger geopolitical game, or is there a "circuit breaker" left in the Pentagon to stop the escalation?.

-WATCH full video of this episode here.

-Join IVA and stand up to Trump’s Forever Wars.

-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.

-Remember Independent is an Attitude.

-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

Connect with Independent Americans:

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Ansari Introduces Impeachment for Hegseth. Cuba Threatens a Fight. ICE Arrests Newlywed Wife of Army Soldier At Military Base. Artemis Inspires Again. Michigan Wins!

Donald Trump has issued a chilling 8 a.m. declaration: "A whole civilization will die tonight." In this special emergency episode of Independent Americans, Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the global shockwaves following this unprecedented 8 p.m. deadline targeting Iran. As the world stands on edge, we drill down into the growing list of members of Congress—ranging from progressives like Ro Khanna to conservatives like Marjorie Taylor Greene—who are now calling for the invocation of the 25th Amendment or immediate impeachment to prevent a "forever war."

We also go beyond the headlines to expose the "culture of cruelty" hitting home, including the breaking story of ICE detaining the wife of an active-duty Army soldier at a military base just days after their wedding. Amidst the tension, we look for the helpers—from the Michigan Wolverines' national championship victory to NASA’s Artemis 2 mission breaking deep-space records. This is a moment for independence over partisanship and country over party. Stay frosty. Stay vigilant.

-WATCH full video of this episode here.

-Join IVA and stand up to Trump’s Forever Wars.

-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.

-Remember Independent is an Attitude.

-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

Connect with Independent Americans:

• Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms
• Read more at Substack
• Support ad-free episodes at Patreon
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-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.

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The war in Iran has reached a "worst-case scenario" following the downing of American pilots and the high-stakes rescue operations now underway. While the military’s search-and-rescue prowess remains unmatched, the political fallout is reaching a breaking point as the administration floats the possibility of a draft and demands an additional $200 billion for the defense budget. Amidst this escalation, the Pentagon is facing an internal crisis of leadership; Secretary Hegseth’s "loyalty purity tests" and the firing of top generals like Army Chief of Staff Randy George have sparked fears that ideological alignment is being prioritized over combat readiness and constitutional duty.

As the conflict widens to nine countries and counting, the popularity of the war is imploding—even within the President’s traditional base—leading to high-profile departures from the administration. This episode drills down into the growing disconnect between the "culture war" focus at the Pentagon and the grim reality on the front lines, while exploring the rare moment of national unity provided by the Artemis mission. We examine whether a "gut-check" moment for Congress is finally here and if anyone within the inner circle will take a stand against the trajectory of a forever war that shows no signs of slowing down.

-WATCH full video of this episode here.

-Join IVA and stand up to Trump’s Forever Wars.

-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.

-Remember Independent is an Attitude.

-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.

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

-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.