Strait of Hormuz Fully Open? Trump Announces Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6 • 907 Ratings

🗓️ 17 April 2026

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Trump says he needs expanded spying powers “for our national security.” But are you really good with this government spying on you, with Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard and the nationalist crew peeking into your life in the name of “patriotism”? In this fiery solo “Rebel Yell Friday” episode 495, Paul Rieckhoff breaks down Trump’s new Iran deal spin and the fight over the Strait of Hormuz, the dangerous 10‑day FISA surveillance extension, the purge of American generals, and ICE’s ongoing culture of cruelty—from gassing protesters and kicking in doors to detaining an 85‑year‑old WWII widow. He rips into RFK Jr.’s unhinged anti-vax crusade, calls out attacks on NPR, PBS, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, and explains why huge new donations to public media are a win for democracy. From Ukraine’s brutal night under 300 drones and 19 ballistic missiles to the Pope’s social media smackdown of Hegseth, this is national security and politics analysis you won’t get on party-line shows.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Trump says he needs it for our national security.
0:02.5	They're going to attack anybody who opposes it.
0:04.4	But here's the question, are you good with the government spying on you?
0:07.1	Are you good with this government spying on you?
0:09.8	Are you good with Pete Hegeseth and Tulsi Gabbard and any other number of radicals in this crew
0:14.7	who could be spying on Americans in the name of national security.
0:36.3	Welcome to Independent Americans.
0:39.7	Welcome to episode 495.
0:44.9	I am your host, Paul Reichoff, and it is Friday, April 17th.
0:46.3	Happy Friday.
0:48.2	They can't stop Friday, people. And it is Friday.
0:49.4	That means tomorrow we've got NHL and NBA playoffs. And tonight, here in New York City, we've got NHL and NBA playoffs.
0:55.0	And tonight here in New York City, we've got the opening day of downtown Little League.
0:59.9	We're starting a little late, but our opening day celebration for the youngsters is tonight.
1:04.3	And I am, of course, coming to you from New York City, USA, where the weather was gorgeous and sunny and warm. And then about a half an hour ago,
1:13.1	it turned dark and started pouring because it's 2026. And there will be no days off,
1:19.2	damn it, not even on Fridays from unexpected changes or from the drama from Trump. And that
1:24.5	is even true on this Friday. Today's artist, to end a big week, is Billy Idol,
1:31.5	because it's time for a rebel yell.
1:34.4	And we're continuing our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee week.
1:38.3	Way before his time, this is, of course, from the Hall of Fame.
1:41.1	He was a key figure in bringing punk rock mainstream,
	...

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