333. Senator Ruben Gallego. Is He Running for President? Hegseth Firing 20% of Generals. Mike Waltz is Out. Our Apologies to Canada. SCOTUS Upholds Trump’s Trans Purge. Even Trump Won’t Cut VA’s Budget. 9/11 Health Program Attacked. AGAIN. Go Knicks!!!

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media

Politics, News, News Commentary

4.8 • 783 Ratings

🗓️ 8 May 2025

⏱️ 59 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This show is dedicated to helping elevate the heroes and the helpers. And to identifying the people in our government and political arena that don’t live up to either of those descriptions. From the consistent cruelty of the Trump administration's attacks on our values and, now, our allies, to our national security being continually degraded by the gutting of the Pentagon ranks, the volume of outrageousness is increasing and the hits keep coming. But every once in a while, even in Washington, there is a brave and bold individual willing to stand up for what’s right. If you’ve listened to the show you know that the Democrats will not save you. But that doesn’t mean they can’t help. That they can’t be a part of the solution. And that’s what today’s guest wants to do. Senator Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) hails from the great state of Arizona. He served as a Marine, as a Congressman and now he’s a Senator—and his ambitions might even extend beyond that horizon. But for now, he’s taking a stand and making an impact. And most importantly, he’s fighting back. Against Trump, and for veterans and the good people of his state. And before the conversation starts, Paul Rieckhoff’s gonna take you on a fun and illuminating walk through historic Union Square in NYC to run through the latest chaos at Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon, Trump firing Mike Waltz and crapping in Canada, the Supreme Court ruling on the trans purge, RFK Jr messing up healthcare for 9/11 First Responders, VA Secretary Collins spinning, and why the surging New York Knicks can teach America a thing or two. It’s an inspiring episode that just might leave you a little more hopeful than you were before you started. So buckle up for Episode 333 folks. And enjoy the ride. It’s content for the 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and veterans issues. 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. Past appearance from Senator Gallego: Episode 113 - May 6, 2021 and Episode 211 - Feb. 23, 2023 Be sure to check out the show now on our YouTube page here. -Watch the full episode here. -Watch the interview here. -Join the movement. Sign up to get our regular breakdowns of the independent news you need to know. -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 a cool, new IA hoodie sweatshirt just in time for the start of the cold season. -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. America’s next great independent media company. Ways to listen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff TuneIn Radio: https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Independent-Americans-p1214607/ Ways to watch: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Social channels: X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americans BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Power by Righteous Media.
0:14.6	Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 333. I'm your host, Paul Reikoff, and welcome to Union Square in New York
0:26.4	City. Welcome to the Abraham Lincoln Statute, where we are going to start our discussion and this
0:34.2	episode. And coming up, I've got another patriot. Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona
0:39.7	is going to join us for an exclusive and extended conversation about whether he's going to run for
0:44.1	president, what he thinks of Trump's idea to change Veterans Day, UFC and boxing, and much more.
0:50.9	But first, we're here in Union Square, the historic public space that's called
0:55.7	Union Square, because it's the spot that unifies Fourth Avenue and Broadway. It's a gathering
1:02.2	place. It's a place of political protest. It's a place with playgrounds and where people play
1:07.0	chess. And it's always been a source of important American history. And it's going to be where
1:12.4	I take you today as we walk through all the latest in news, politics, national security, and culture.
1:18.2	And we're going to start it off with my top topics.
1:31.9	Yeah. Just too. And here in New York City, the place is buzzing.
1:35.4	Yes, people are happy that it's May and the sun is out.
1:38.2	They're happy that Trump hasn't done anything, especially crazy in the last couple of hours.
1:41.9	But they're also happy and excited and inspired by the New York Knicks.
1:47.2	If you haven't heard, the Knicks are on a roll and shocked the universe
1:51.4	by beating the champion Boston Celtics in Boston Garden.
1:55.8	Check this out.
1:56.8	What's most important is that we're out there together,
1:59.0	and we're going to fight for each other every possession. And no matter how the game starts the together, and we're going to fight for each other, every possession.
2:01.5	And no matter how the game starts and finishes,
	...

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