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Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

340. Senator Angus King. The Only Real Independent US Senator? Trump Bombs Iran. Now the Spin Begins. Can The Senate Stop Him? The Spirit of Joshua Chamberlain. Socialist Mamdani Wins NYC’s Rigged Primary. 1M Independents Blocked Out. The OKC Example.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

Daily News, Veteran, News, Politics, News Commentary, National Security

4.6907 Ratings

🗓️ 26 June 2025

⏱️ 44 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Trump has bombed Iran. And now, the spin and politics is accelerating faster than a B-2 bomber.  And a political bomb dropped on NYC this week as 33-year-old socialist Zohran Mamdani conquered Andrew Cuomo and a cluttered Democratic primary. Now, he’ll take on a wacky Republican radio host, the compromised disaster that is Eric Adams, maybe Cuomo (ugh), and true independent and recent guest on this program, Jim Walden. But there’s also a big, largely-unreported story of what this really means for NYC and America. And about how 1M independents didn’t get a shot to be heard.  Paul Rieckhoff is quickly tearing into it while barreling through a heatwave. And, he has a fantastic and fascinating conversation with perhaps the most powerful independent in America.  Maine maverick Senator Angus King is not a Democrat or a Republican. But he is a true independent and a powerful voice of patriotism and conscience in Washington. He joins the show for the first time and shares his views on Trump’s Iran bombing campaign, his efforts to expand his power and the use of the military, and lays out how and if the Senate can do anything to slow him down. And, why he so strongly supports Ukraine—and shares a status update on the Senator Lindsey Graham-led Russia sanctions legislation. And for our Patreon members, there’s some extra content including the Senator's favorite Maine drink, his first car and what’s playing on his playlist.  It’s smart, respectful, charming and inspiring. Everything that our divisive news and politics in Washington is not.  It’s the kind of conversation you can only find on this show.  And it’s the latest in our “Meet the Independents” series following other Independent leaders like Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, independent candidate for Senate from South Dakota Brian Bengs, Independent candidate for Mayor of New York Jim Walden and Chattanooga, Tennessee Mayor Tim Kelly.  Welcome to Independent Americans, Episode 340. Every episode of Independent Americans is independent light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 49% of Americans that call themselves independent. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and vets issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics and inspiration.  -Get extra content, connect with guests, events, merch discounts and support this show that speaks truth to power by joining us on Patreon.  -WATCH video of Paul and Senator King’s conversation. -NEW! Watch the video version of the entire podcast here. Help us continue the fight to empower all independents by passing open primaries: In NYC: https://www.nycopenprimary.com/ And in NYC and nationwide with info from Unite America: https://www.uniteamerica.org/articles/1-in-5-nyc-voters-wont-have-a-say-in-choosing-the-next-mayor  And the fight for open primaries nationwide: https://openprimaries.org/ -Check #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Hear other Righteous pods like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. America’s next great independent media company.

Transcript

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0:00.0

Power by righteous media.

0:16.2

Welcome to Independent Americans.

0:19.7

And welcome to New York City in the middle of a heat wave, which is fitting because the temperature

0:27.1

kept getting hotter and hotter in America.

0:30.0

And just when you thought it couldn't get hotter, Trump did a bomb strike on Iran. The summer is here, and it is about to get even hotter.

0:41.5

And now is most definitely a time to stay vigilant.

0:49.7

As the news, politics, and spin continue to unfold after Trump's unprecedented strike in Iran,

1:02.5

I'm coming to you from downtown New York, where we just had a blockbuster Democratic primary,

1:09.1

and the World Trade Center Tower, the Freedom Tower, is just

1:13.8

over my shoulder. And coming up, I've got a conversation with maybe the most powerful

1:20.2

independent leader in America. The independent United States senator from the state of Maine,

1:26.9

Angus King, is finally on

1:29.1

independent Americans. We're going to talk about Iran. We're going to talk about the War Powers

1:33.0

Act. We're going to talk about what it's like to be a true independent in the Senate and much more.

1:38.2

So stick around for that. But before we get to my conversation with Senator King,

1:42.3

and as the temperature here in New York breaks 100 and continues to rise around the country

1:47.6

and around the globe, it is time to dig into my top topics.

1:56.0

Just two.

2:03.6

The number one topic.

2:05.5

Most definitely, President Trump's unprecedented strike on Iran.

2:10.9

We thought this might be coming.

2:12.9

The storm clouds were looming.

...

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