
25 Years After 9/11. Mamdani Drops Toxin Docs. “They Lied, We Died.” Plus: Mullen On Afghanistan. The Digital Dunkirk. Abbey Gate. Admiral Mike Mullen (Replay)
About this episode
Standing blocks from Ground Zero on the week of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Paul Rieckhoff opens with the news dropped by New York City Mayor Mamdani: thousands of documents confirming what 9/11 first responders have known and shouted about for 25 years. The government and city leadership were not truthful about the toxins, the danger, or the risk. As a first responder himself, Paul is not surprised — he's furious about the lack of action. He names the names Mamdani wouldn't: Giuliani, Bloomberg, Adams. If anyone lied, and it can be proven, they belong in jail. And every politician who plans to show up Friday for a photo op? Stay the hell away. Let it be about the survivors and the heroes.
Then a replay worth revisiting: Paul's conversation with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and the Afghanistan withdrawal. Mullen does something almost no senior leader has done — takes personal responsibility. He walks through the failure of imagination on Iraq, the graveyard-of-empires hubris, the debacle of Abbey Gate, the digital Dunkirk still underway, and why he now names our own division as the single greatest threat to the republic. It's a masterclass in accountability, humility, and what leadership is supposed to sound like — and a brutal contrast to the bloviating we'll hear all week.
-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
-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.
Get every episode summarized
Each time Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

9/11 - 25 Years Later with Rob Serra. The Air Was Never Safe. Mamdani Docs Revea...
Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

They Chose Wall Street Over The Firefighters: The Ground Zero Toxin Lie Exposed....
Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

“Tactical Penetration” and Rieckhoff’s Unplanned Moment on the Moment with Katy...
Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Republicans Run From Hegseth. Lawler Breaks Rank. Pentagon Purge Continues. The...
Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff