377. Former Senator Jon Tester. Can The Dems Win on Epstein? Schumer’s No Shaq. Saudi F-35s - China’s Backdoor. I Remember Kent State. Poor Taste: Trump Dines with the Ultra Rich. Is Montana’s Future Independent? Farms, Basketball & Life After The Senate.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 19 November 2025

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Former Montana senator and podcast host Jon Tester joins Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) for a candid, no-bullshit conversation about the state of American democracy, national security, and the urgent need for integrity in politics. From revelations about the Epstein files to concerns about U.S. military sales and deep division in D.C., Jon shares unfiltered perspectives rooted in years of service—and grounded in Montana farmland. Hear insights on veterans, leadership, and why Tester says “the only way out is morals.” Learn why Tester is proud to be out of the Senate—and where America should go next. 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 Jon’s previous appearance in Episode 181 from July 28, 2022. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Listen/watch the Grounded Podcast: with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou and check out their Substack. -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 holidays. -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. 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 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	Powered by Righteous Media.
0:17.6	Welcome to Independent Americans.
0:20.4	Welcome to episode 377. I'm your host, Paul Rikoff. It is Wednesday, November 19th. I am coming to you from New York City, USA. And our guest today is my favorite senator that I've ever known. John Tester from the great state of Montana is back on independent Americans. But before we get to
0:38.9	him, his awesomeness and lots to talk about. The news does keep on coming. The House voted to finally
0:45.1	release the Epstein Files 471 to 1. The only no vote being Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana,
0:53.0	who was one of Trump's staunchest supporters.
0:55.0	The Senate also moved it forward, but a bulk release of the files may not happen. We will cover
1:00.4	that in the days to come. The Trump administration has said it's going to dismantle parts of the
1:04.3	Department of Education. That's great. And key offices are going to be moved to other federal
1:09.1	agencies. The Trump administration has been secretly working in consultation with Russia to draft a new plan to end the war in Ukraine.
1:17.3	They've sent Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll over there, and we'll keep an eye on that.
1:21.4	Meanwhile, Russia continues to hit Ukraine.
1:24.2	Overnight 10 were killed, 86 injured, emergency power outages across Ukraine as Russia
1:29.8	launched another mass missile strike and drone attack. 76 drones, 48 missiles. The Ukrainians are
1:36.4	continuing to stand strong and show us what democracy and vigilance is all about. And in the White
1:41.7	House, Trump praised the Saudi prince and dismissed questions
1:45.3	about Khashoggi's killing, which I think was disgusting and shameful on the highest level.
1:50.8	That he's even hosting the prince, I think is unacceptable, outrageous, and infuriating,
1:55.2	especially for me as a 9-11 first responder. And his comments on Khashoggi are beyond nauseating and dangerous. He says he knew
2:03.8	nothing, that MBS knew nothing about Khashoggi's murder, despite the fact that Trump's own CIA
2:09.2	in his first term found that the crime prince had ordered it. I think Trump continues to show he has
2:15.0	no respect and no honor. And between this debacle and the
	...

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