Republicans Run From Hegseth. Lawler Breaks Rank. Pentagon Purge Continues. The Question Slotkin Asked That Nobody's Answering. Media Blitz Pod.

One week out from the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Pentagon is being gutted in plain sight. Pete Hegseth is on plan — arguably ahead of it — and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, one of the last circuit breakers inside the building, is gone. The USS Lincoln is limping into Thailand because the Iranians blasted our assets and the Navy can't get sailors safely home to San Diego. Republicans who privately know all this is a sucking chest wound are still hiding behind their pensions and their primaries. Paul sits down with Nicole Wallace for his weekly national security hit and calls it what it is: cowardice, a lack of patriotism, a lack of honor. This conversation covers the culture-war Pentagon, the transparency crisis around casualties and readiness, and the moral courage vacuum at the top of the uniformed military — Donahue silent, CQ Brown silent, Driscoll silent on the way out. It surfaces the one question from Slotkin's confirmation hearing that should be re-asked on every cable hit and in every town hall: will Hegseth turn the military on American civilians? And it names the tell that finally cracks the wall — Mike Lawler, in a dogfight against an Army veteran Democrat, breaking rank first. If you want to understand why the next sixty days matter more than the last two years, start here. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Millions of American veterans are being locked out of primary elections in the country they served. See what we’re doing to change that. -Visit Kalshi and trade on anything. Use code INDEPENDENT to get $25 when you trade $25. -Head to cozyearth.com and use the code AMERICANS for an exclusive 20% off. -Join Noble Mobile today and get a $100 bonus when you use code PAUL and stay a member for 2 months! -Join IVA and help us get independent veterans elected to office. -Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Remember Independent is an Attitude. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -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.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.