Cease Fire in the Crossfire. The Pentagon vs the Pope. What’s Trump’s Next Target?

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 9 April 2026

⏱️ 16 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

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.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The only significant progress was people finally started talking about how to remove him under the 25th Amendment, and that is gaining momentum. And I think it's more popular in America than people realize. I think the few Democrats, no Republicans yet, except for Marjorie Taylor Green, have put that out there. People understand this won't stop until he's gone. So we as a country have to focus on the strategic priority, which is removing him if we want this to stop.
0:22.3	Otherwise, this is going to be our normal.
0:24.4	There are going to be no days off and it's going to be something different every day. Welcome to Independent Americans.
0:46.5	And welcome to Newark International Airport.
0:49.8	I'm your host, Paul Reichoff.
0:51.0	I am on my way out to Los Angeles to do the Bill Maher real-time show on HBO tomorrow.
0:59.5	And I am in transit today, but there is no shortage of crazy shit happening in our news, politics, and national security.
1:08.1	So I'm not going to have a full episode for you today, but I'm going to give you a special media highlight episode
1:13.4	with a couple of my reactions and analysis
1:15.7	from another wild 24 hours.
1:19.2	The ceasefire is still in the crossfire.
1:22.7	The Pentagon is fighting with the Pope,
1:25.9	and no one knows what's next.
1:28.8	Could be hitting Cuba, could be hitting Greenland.
1:32.3	Shit, at this point, they might hit the Vatican.
1:34.3	But it is a crazy time.
1:35.4	I'm going to try to help you stay on top of it.
1:37.3	Be sure to check us out on YouTube.
1:39.4	And, of course, on Apple and Spotify and everywhere else.
1:43.4	I'm going to continue to bring you analysis reaction to all the latest breaking news.
1:47.6	Look for me Friday night tomorrow on HBO.
1:51.1	And if you're in Los Angeles, I'm hosting a quick evening event tonight in Santa Monica
	...

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