396. Senator Mark Kelly. His Face-to-Face With Hegseth Today in DC. His Plan to Combat Trump’s Courts Martial Ridiculousness. Why He Recorded the Video to the Troops. Will He Run for President? Can He Stop a War with Venezuela? Free Speech Under Attack.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 16 December 2025

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This is a huge and news-making show. Recorded just before Kelly’s pivotal meeting with Hegseth in Washington. When Donald Trump used the power of the presidency to call for Senator Mark Kelly’s execution, he crossed a dangerous new line—and sent a chilling message to millions of veterans and every American who dares to speak out. In this all–new episode, Independent Americans host and Army veteran Paul Rieckhoff sits down with the Arizona Senator, Navy combat pilot and astronaut for a raw, unfiltered, and urgent conversation about retribution, free speech, and the future of American democracy. Just hours before his first face-to-face meeting with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth since Hegseth and Trump launched an unprecedented military investigation into Kelly. Senator Kelly explains why Trump’s move is not just an attack on him, but on every retired service member who might now think twice before speaking his/her mind. He breaks down how Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are trying to weaponize the Uniform Code of Military Justice against political opponents, and why he refuses to be silenced—even if that means facing a “kangaroo court” in uniform. Rieckhoff presses Kelly on the looming risk of a new war with Venezuela, what Trump might do while Congress is out of session, and why the administration still hasn’t offered any clear legal or strategic justification for putting American troops in harm’s way. Kelly connects the dots between Trump’s past calls to kill the families of terrorists, shoot protesters in the legs, and “just kill people,” and the dangerous culture now spreading inside the Pentagon. This is a critical, behind-the-scenes briefing with the Senator on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees who is directly in Trump’s crosshairs—and who is still showing up to hold this White House to account. It’s also a powerful message to every independent, veteran, military family, and engaged citizen about courage, oversight, and what it really means to stay vigilant in this moment. 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 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. Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts Ways to watch: YouTube • Instagram X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook Ways to listen:Social channels: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Get a free bet when you bet 5 pounds every week of the Premier League season and a big boost every day.
0:06.1	That's satisfaction from Labbrooks.
0:08.0	And for extra satisfaction, here's the D's D's and C's garage style.
0:11.0	18 plus 1st of September to 24th of May.
0:13.4	Opting weekly.
0:14.4	Selected Premier League markets.
0:17.2	Match one free bet per week.
0:18.9	Values vary.
0:22.6	Restrictions in D&Cs apply Daily odds boosts TNCs on labbrooks.com
0:27.8	Gamblingware.org
0:29.8	Hey Harry.
0:30.6	Hello mate.
0:31.5	Got any tips for the football?
0:32.7	Your best bet is to head over to bet Victor.
0:34.9	They'll give a new customer's a terrific welcome offer.
0:37.7	If you bet a minimum of £10, they'll give you £30 in three bets. Oh, that's a steel of a deal. It's a good darn deal that'll make you squirrel for real. Neil? My name's not Neil. I know, but it rhymed. Listen to Harry and make your best bet on the football at Betvictor. 18 plus opt in and bet on any football marketing at odds of evens or greater no cash out
0:57.0	seven day expiry terms and conditions apply at gamblerware.org.
1:00.0	Ready to launch your business? Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs.
1:04.8	Shopify is specially designed to help you start, run and grow your business with easy
1:09.7	customizable themes that let you build your brand.
1:12.5	Marketing tools that get your products out there. Integrated shipping solutions that actually save you time.
1:17.5	From startups to scale ups, online, in person and on the go. Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Righteous Media | Bleav, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Righteous Media | Bleav and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.