Mamdani BOE Quietly Crushes NYC Open Primaries. Tucker, MTG & Massie’s Third Party. Al-Sayed Doesn’t Understand Weapons.

Summary

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Episode: Mamdani BOE Quietly Crushes NYC Open Primaries. Tucker, MTG & Massie’s Third Party. Al-Sayed Doesn’t Understand Weapons.
Date: August 7, 2026
Host: Paul Rieckhoff
Featured Guest: Brian Bangs, Independent Veteran Senate Candidate (South Dakota)

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delves into the rapid evolution of America’s independent political movement—its challenges, opportunities, and recent developments. Paul Rieckhoff explores the suppression of open primaries in New York City, emerging third-party chatter among former Trump allies, the ideological battles within the Democratic Party, and the breakthrough moment for independent candidates in key Senate races, with a deep-dive interview featuring South Dakota Senate candidate Brian Bangs.

Rieckhoff emphasizes the “surge” of the independent movement, the structural and political barriers it faces, and the vital role independent veterans can play in shaking up the 2026 electoral landscape.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NYC Open Primaries Suppressed by Mamdani's BOE

• Breaking News: NYC Board of Elections, under Mayor Mamdani, rejected over 42,000 petition signatures for open primaries, essentially preventing a million NYC independents from participating equally.
• Direct Accusation: Rieckhoff attributes this to entrenched party interests and Democratic Socialists’ dominance in NYC. He calls out Mamdani, Brad Lander, and others for protecting their partisan stranglehold (05:00-06:30).
• Broader Impact: Open primaries are described as “coming nationwide,” drawing parallels to recent progress in Washington State. The fight for open primaries continues, especially for the independent and veteran communities.
• Quote: “Open primaries here in New York would empower 1 million independent New Yorkers…including thousands of independent veterans like me…And it would directly threaten their chokehold on power.” – Paul Rieckhoff (05:28)

2. The Not-So-Independent ‘Third Party’ Movement

• Politico Scoop: Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG), and Tom Massie reportedly plotting a new third-party movement, positioning themselves as anti-war.
• Rieckhoff’s Warning: He differentiates between genuine independence and “third parties” run by established personalities:
  “A third party is not the same as being independent. Independent means no party. Independent means none of the above.” (08:05)
• Implications: This new alignment, although branded as anti-establishment, is seen as yet another party apparatus rather than a truly independent movement (08:30-09:15).

3. Democratic Civil War: The Abdul Al-Sayed Case Study

• Background: Al-Sayed becomes Michigan's Democratic Senate nominee. Rieckhoff praises his credentials but contends he’s “too far left to appeal, especially to independents.”
• Core Issue: Al-Sayed’s position against Iron Dome and unconditional military support for Israel causes concern. Rieckhoff critiques Al-Sayed’s lack of understanding of the difference between offensive and defensive weapons.
• Quote:
  “I don't believe there's really a difference between offensive or defensive weapons. And I also don't believe it's my responsibility to buy defensive weapons for a foreign government when our kids are defenseless.” – Abdul Al-Sayed (09:39)
• Policy Clarity: Rieckhoff rebuts Al-Sayed, highlighting the clear distinction vital for national security (10:00).
• Political Analysis: Rieckhoff sees leftward trends in the Democratic Party as electoral liabilities outside progressive enclaves. He argues for a centrist, pragmatic approach to win independents:
  “…if the Democrats want to win more statewide and national elections and especially get independent voters, they need to be more independent and more moderate, not more liberal, not more radical.” (12:30)
• Data Point: 45% of Americans now identify as independent—this “sleeping giant” is where electoral momentum lies (13:40).

4. South Dakota Spotlight: Brian Bangs’s Senate Campaign

• Backdrop: Democrat Julian Bedouin exits the race, clearing the way for Bangs (independent, veteran) to go head-to-head against incumbent Republican Mike Rounds.
• Interview Highlights:
  • Bangs’s Ground Game: Relocated from campaigning in a camper to a supporter’s house—celebrates running a truly grassroots campaign (17:18).
  • Veterans’ Issues: Bangs is the sole veteran in the race, emphasizing representation and insight on national security (21:33).
  • Iran War Impact: Both Rieckhoff and Bangs connect the Iran war to domestic affordability crises—fuel, fertilizer, and overall economic pain in South Dakota (23:11).
  • Healthcare & Rural Access: Bangs points out Rounds’s inattention to rural, veteran healthcare (24:21).
  • Populism and Independence: Bangs presents himself as a “Teddy Roosevelt Republican”—trust-busting, anti-corruption, and pragmatically populist (25:50).
  • Tariffs & Immigration: Bangs takes constitutionalist positions:
    • Tariffs: Should be a congressional (not presidential) power, used “surgically, not universally” (28:54).
    • Immigration: Advocates for worker visas and technologically secured borders, not a physical wall (27:35).
  • Checks on Presidential Power: Bangs champions congressional oversight on war-making powers:
    “We do not have the basis to invade Greenland, invade Cuba, period. ... And the biggest problem...with the Iran war is that you didn't sell it on the front end to justify the expense in blood and treasure that you're now using.” (31:18)
  • Infrastructure vs. Foreign Wars: Bangs echoes Eisenhower—money spent abroad is money not spent fixing South Dakota’s roads and schools (33:36).
  • Campaign Needs: Bangs stresses low-cost, high-impact advertising in SD, calls for donations and volunteers, highlighting the historic opportunity for independent victories (35:55-38:43).
  • Fulcrum Strategy: Bangs pledges not to caucus with either major party, aiming for an independent Senate “fulcrum” (37:06).
  • Gratitude and Movement-Building: Bangs and Rieckhoff emphasize the endurance, grit, and integrity of independent veterans, urging Americans to support and join this movement (40:24).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Lead, follow, or get out of the way. Stay vigilant.” – Paul Rieckhoff on open primaries and political reform (07:00)
• “The big future, the growing future, is not the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. It’s not socialism. It’s independence.” – Paul Rieckhoff (13:40)
• “He’s done a great service to people and it’s a very patriotic thing to do.” – Brian Bangs on Democratic candidate Bedouin dropping out (19:50)
• “Congress wasn’t full of a bunch of damn pussies, then they would be up there ... saying, ‘What are you doing, President? You cannot do this. You do not have that power.’” – Brian Bangs, on war powers (32:48)
• “You may not like everything about me, but you’re going to like a lot.” – Brian Bangs, on appealing to diverse voters (39:18)

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Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• NYC Open Primaries Suppression: 05:00–07:00
• Third-Party Movement (Carlson, Greene, Massie): 08:00–09:15
• Abdul Al-Sayed’s Israel/Iron Dome Comments & Analysis: 09:27–12:30
• Rise of Independents — Political Data: 13:30–14:15
• Brian Bangs Interview Begins: 16:48
• SD Senate Race Dynamics, Candidate Background: 17:18–18:15
• Bedouin Drops Out — Race Impacts: 19:50–21:04
• Veterans & Foreign Policy (Iran War): 21:33–24:21
• Healthcare Access for Rural & Veterans: 24:21–25:01
• Campaign Philosophy — Populism, Money in Politics: 25:50–26:55
• Tariffs and Immigration Policy Stances: 27:35–28:54
• Presidential War Powers/Checks & Cuba: 31:18–32:48
• Infrastructure, Domestic Investment: 33:36–35:05
• Campaign Needs, Volunteer Appeal: 35:55–40:24
• Closing Reflections & Call to Action: 40:44–41:18

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Tone & Language

• Original Language/Style: Candid, occasionally blunt and profane, but always energized and fiercely independent. Both hosts and guest speak plainly, eschewing canned talking points for real-world experience and constitutional grounding.
• Examples:
  • “Congress wasn’t full of a bunch of damn pussies...” – Bangs (32:48)
  • “It's a get shit done kind of approach.” – Rieckhoff (26:55)

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Summary Takeaways

• Independent Americans are on the move—both in terms of voter affiliation and as Senate candidates stepping into unprecedentedly competitive races.
• The system remains stacked against true independence, with partisan machines fighting to maintain their power, as seen starkly in NYC’s primary access suppression.
• The real populism may lay with independents, not with the radical left or MAGA right.
• Independent veterans like Brian Bangs provide a pragmatic, grounded alternative to party-line politicians, focused on constitutional process, real-world implications for everyday Americans, and prioritizing investment at home over endless engagement abroad.
• Support and participation are urgently needed—money, volunteering, and advocacy can genuinely tip the scales in states like South Dakota, where a handful of independent victories “break the logjam” nationally.
• The sleeping giant of independents is waking up, and listeners are urged to stay vigilant, get involved, and support independent campaigns.

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For more on Brian Bangs’s campaign:

• Visit IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org
• Follow Brian Bangs on socials (links in show notes)

Stay vigilant, spread the word, and join the movement for real change.

Transcript

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[A]

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[B]

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[A]

Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 594. I'm your host Paul Rykoff coming to you from New York City, USA where it is humid again, like 99% humidity, which is really uncomfortable. But we're going to end the week by pushing through it, by swimming through the humidity and the chaos. We got a big show coming up. But first, today's artist is Kaleo. Kaleo is the band that I've introduced my boys to today. If you don't know them, they are an Icelandic blues band formed in 2012. I love them. They have songs like Way Down We Go, I can't go on without you, Broken Bones. Way Down We Go is just a classic. I love the riff, I love the song. And I'm actually hoping to see them tonight in New York City if the thunderstorms hold off. But they get me fired up and I think today's show will do the same for you as we bring the five eyes. We bring in every single show. We've been bringing all week, we've been bringing all month, we've been bringing all summer. Independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Especially this week, we're keeping it ahead of the curve. We're showing you what's next and we're helping you stay vigilant. All right. And coming up in just a second, South Dakota independent veteran Brian Bangs is here exclusively to give us the update on what's happening in the Senate race that is now fully on wide open. The Democrat has dropped out. That means we've got another head to head between an independent veteran and and an unpopular Republican rubber stamp incumbent. It's really, really important. You're going to get that coming up in a Second. But first, let's get to our top topic. All right. I think the independent movement broadly and the surge we've seen this week from Washington to. To South Dakota to Montana to New York is the big story. But there's something really critical that I want to underscore. There's breaking news that this week, Mayor Mamdani's Board of Elections in New York City has just rejected the petitions of 42,000 New Yorkers who were advocating for open primaries in New York City. I was behind this effort. Independent Veterans of America was behind this effort. Unite New York was behind this effort. Open primaries and many others. Thousands and thousands of people signed petitions around July 4th in the hot sun advocating for open primaries. And of course, Mamdani's Board of Election has shot it down. Of course they did, because the Board of Elections is an instrument of the political parties, parties that continue to fail most New Yorkers and most Americans. Open primaries here in New York would empower 1 million independent New Yorkers, including thousands of independent veterans like me, including 911 first responders like me as we go into the 20th, 25th anniversary of 9 11. And it would directly threaten their chokehold on power. Mamdani's Democratic socialists just ran the table in New York City. Mamdani, Brad Lander, all the others. And they're picking up steam nationwide, as we saw in Michigan this week with, with the Democratic primary there, they have figured out how to work and win the partisan primary system. And there's no way they're going to allow truly open and fair primaries, especially not now. But there's also no way we're going to stop fighting. Washington State's open primaries this week showed what right looks like, and that's what the future looks like, too, even in New York City and despite the opposition from the Democrats, from the Republicans, from Mamdani, and from anyone else. And we won't stop until we achieve open primaries and until all New Yorkers and all Americans are no longer disenfranchised by a corrupt and unfair system. Independent Americans deserve an equal vote. And we deserve a public response from Mayor Mamdani and from Governor Kathy Hochul and all New York electeds on this news, because open primaries are popular and open primaries are coming nationwide, and they need to answer to it. And they and every other elected need to lead, follow, or get out of the way. Stay vigilant. All right? This is front and center. It has to be, because it's so important. It's about millions of Americans getting a fair vote and our Independent movement continues to surge, but meanwhile, there's something potentially nefarious, potentially sinister, and definitely something you should watch that's happening below the radar. All right. Politico is reporting that anti Trump conservatives Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tom Massie have huddled about launching a third party movement. Politico reports that they are sowing the seeds for a future third party political organization. They had a weekend get together at Tucker Carlson's compound in, of all places, Maine. Angus King was not invited. I don't know if Graham Platner was invited, but there was a photo posted by Greene on Saturday that they're talking about launching a possible independent presidential campaign focusing on unwinding U.S. involvement in foreign conflict, Greene wrote. We said no more foreign wars and we meant it and supported Donald Trump because he made that promise. But he has betrayed us all, she wrote in the Post. The movement has begun. Joe Kent was also there, the former national security official who resigned. No word on if Tulsi Gabbard might be involved, but they've been outspoken about all backing Trump before the 2024 elections. But all of them have broken with Trump over the course of his second term. And Massie has obviously been a loud critic of Trump. I told you to watch what he's going to do. But here's the important part. A third party is not the same as being independent. Independent means no party. Independent means none of the above. And let's be clear about that. Especially if this cast of characters launches something new and no matter what they try to call it, it's not going to be truly independent. Watch this space and stay vigilant. All right. As we continue to talk about the primary election season that's driving the extremes to the forefront. Right wingers like Tucker Carlson, left wingers like Mamdani, and most of us are somewhere in the middle. The 45% of us are in the middle. And there is a new Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan that is now in the spotlight, Abdul Al Saya, who has a very impressive background. He's a son of Michigan. He went to Michigan. He's a doctor. He was, I think, captain of his football team in high school and his wrestling team and his lacrosse team. He's an impressive guy, but I've argued he's too far to the left to appeal, especially to independents in Michigan. I think this is a misstep by the Democratic Party. It underscores the civil war that is erupting between moderates in the Democratic Party and, and the left wing, the progressives, the DSA and that whole group. Now his refusal to support Israel has been a centerpiece of his campaign and one that's very popular within the far left progressive wing of the Democratic Party. And frankly with more and more Americans of all political background. Israel has lost tons of support over the last few years and for many reasons and AIPAC in particular. But I want to focus on something different but related that he said this week in an interview with Katen Collins of cnn. He was asked if he was against funding things like the Iron Dome. He said he's against all unconditional funding for Israel, including funding of the Iron Dome. But Kaitlan Collins had to pin him down on this. Check out this clip and especially the part where he talks about weapons. Play that, Chris.

[B]

Some people might hear that and say, well, does he support, you know, funding

[A]

defensive systems like the Iron Dome in Israel?

[B]

Do you I don't believe that there's really a difference between offensive or defensive weapons. And I also don't believe it's my responsibility to buy defensive weapons for a foreign government when our kids are defenseless, Al said.

[A]

I don't believe there's really a difference between offensive or defensive weapons. Well, there is definitely a difference between offensive and defensive weapons. Just ask Ukraine. The Patriot missile systems that they've been clamoring for is just one example. The Patriot missile systems that the US has used in the Gulf and in Israel and around the world for decades now, the Patriot missile systems that I was trained to guard before the Iraq war is one example. And if you want to be a US Senator and you want to lead on national security and foreign policy, you need to know there's a difference between offensive and defensive weapons, especially when it comes to protecting our allies and protecting ourselves. Watch this space, folks. And building on this, when it comes to Michigan, the Civil War in the Democratic Party has presented, in my view, another gift to Trump and the gop. Remember, Michigan went to Republicans for five straight elections on until Bill Clinton came around. Now, El Sayed's been quick to shit on James Carville and Clinton and Biden and lots of other Democrats. And yes, Bernie Sanders upset Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary there in 2016, but he also lost it to Joe Biden in 2020. And in the presidential Trump won in Michigan in 2016 and again in 2024. The only time the Democrats won is when they ran moderate Joe Biden in 2020. Now there was a smart breakdown by Jonathan Cheit in the Atlantic that underscores how the left wing and the dsa, the Democratic Socialists are quickly storming through the primaries and they're taking over. That probably means more losses in non local races, more losses in general elections. The state of Michigan is not Manhattan and Mamdani only won Manhattan by 51%. So I think Al Said is going to have a much more difficult path to chart in a place like Michigan. Don't buy the progressive hype. We've heard this before. They told you Bernie Sanders would beat Donald Trump. They were wrong. He would have gotten clobbered like Kamala Harris did. They would have. You forget that Biden, after all his flaws and all his failures which are worth criticizing, did beat Trump in 2020. He was the only Dem who did. And I think he's the only Dem that could. I covered this on this show way back then because if the Democrats want to win more statewide and national elections and especially get independent voters, they need to be more independent and more moderate, not more liberal, not more radical. They want to win general elections and win over independents, which are now 45% of the country. They need to be more like Clinton, Obama and Biden and less like Bernie Sanders. In the meantime, 10,000 voters every week are leaving the Democratic party and the GOP and declaring their independence. That's where the plurality is. 45% of us are independent and unaffiliated, versus only 27% who are Democrats and only 27% roughly who are Republicans. And that's where 60% of young people are. That's where the future is. The big future, the growing future is not the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. It's not socialism, it's independence. We are the real silent majority. We are the true sleeping giant and we're coming. And there's no better example than the great state of South Dakota. I've been telling you about it for years. We've been focused on it when nobody else has and now it's in play. And the independent veteran candidate for Senate now has a cleared path for a head to head matchup against incumbent rubber stamp Republican Mike Rounds. Too many people are focused on Maine and Texas. They're not focused on Nebraska and Idaho and South Dakota and Montana. And in South Dakota in particular, it's on. And the independent candidate from South Dakota joins us exclusively from right now to help us stay vigilant. This episode of Independent Americans is sponsored by Kalshi. We make predictions every single day. We talk about it on this show. 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From Idaho to Montana to the home of our returning champion guest, we have a lot to talk about about the changing landscape for independence in South Dakota and nationally. A man who you heard about many years ago on this show, a guy who's been grinding away ever since, who's been carrying the flag for our independent movement and is now in a unique position to help take it to another level. I am very proud and happy and excited to welcome back to Independent Americans the great and powerful Brian Bangs, independent veteran running for Senate for the great state of South Dakota. Welcome back, my friend.

[B]

Thanks, Paul. Thanks for having me back. Appreciate it. And thanks for the hype. Really real gets you in the mood.

[A]

You know, there's a lot that's worth hyping right now. There's a lot of exciting stuff happening.

[B]

There absolutely is.

[A]

And I want I want to get to all of it. But let me start with something that I think is important in helping people understand how dedicated you are. I always ask everyone, where are you and how are you? I see you're not in a trailer anymore. You've been running a campaign literally from a trailer for many years. But where are you and how are you?

[B]

I'm, I'm actually at a supporter's house in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, about six hours from where I live. But I am not in the camper any longer as of Sunday. We have a bed and the house is full of boxes, but I have a bed that fits me and I can sleep there and I can take a shower in a place that's big enough for me to turn around in and stand up straight. So I'm living the dream.

[A]

Well, and thank you for correcting me. It's not a trailer. It was a camper. I mean, you were literally living on the land. I don't know if there was a candidate in America that was closer to the land they wanted to represent than you are in the last couple of years in South Dakota, right?

[B]

Yeah, certainly we had a lot of dirt coming into the camper. So, yes, I was very, very close.

[A]

Well, and how are you, man? How are you feeling now that we're going to talk about how the landscape has changed, but I hope you're see a lot of wind in your sails. How you doing right now?

[B]

Yeah, it's, you know, great deal of stress off, great deal of relief in the sense that we now have the head to head that we've always been seeking. And I think we can deliver on that. So now the sprint starts and the real work starts and I'm going to be traveling a lot more than I was before, which was still significant.

[A]

So let's talk about what's happened. Folks have heard about it on this show, but if you're, if you're just joining us, you know, South Dakota is one of those places where the Democrat is the spoiler. And there has been for many months now the incumbent, Mike Rounds, Republican rubber stamp Mike Rounds, and what I would call no chance in hell, Democratic candidate Julian Bedouin, who had, you know, very minimal fundraising, almost no traction. And then you as the independent in a state that is uniquely independent, you were the only veteran in the race. You understand the issues in national security. But I think that Mr. Bedwan has done the right thing for your state, for especially the veterans community, for our country. And he's dropped out, which now clears a head to head for you and the incumbent coming off the heels of now a cleared race for an independent in Dan Osborne in Nebraska versus an incumbent. Todd Achilles was on the show last week. He's now cleared in a head to head against Jim Risch in Idaho. And we're hoping to get similar news out of Montana with Seth Bodwin if Alani Bankhead drops out and then we'd have a head to head there. But, but tell us what the latest is and how you think this is impacting the race now that Mr. Bhadwan has, has dropped out.

[B]

Well, clearly both he and I knew for forever. Basically if we were both on the ballot then we'd split the not Mike Rounds votes and it would result in Mike Rounds basically skating to reelection without much effort. So by stepping back and just putting his, not, not putting his personal interests ahead of the best interests of the voters, he's, he's done a great service to people and it's a very patriotic thing to do, certainly. So hopefully it occurs in Montana. You know, talked to Seth about that and wished him well with that effort. But it changes the math certainly and it makes it a lot easier for us to get to the hey everybody, Lady Luck here. And we're celebrating America's 250th birthday. Now all summer long I'm going to be celebrating by playing on spinquest.com which

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[A]

So I don't know if there's any polling since this has changed either by you or anyone else, but I imagine that the math is going to look a whole lot different. And again, one of the only races in the country for a Senate seat where you'll have an independent veteran. And I think it's important to underscore the unique power that you have as an independent veteran versus an unpopular incumbent who's really been a rubber stamp for the party and for Trump.

[B]

Yeah, well, the veteran thing plays exceedingly well, obviously, particularly given the fact that there's no member of our congressional delegation who has served a day in uniform and we've got Mike Rounds just kind of, oh, we're at, we're at war. And I hope things work out. My background as a dual service veteran. And the fact that my specialization is actually the law of armed conflict and international law lends itself to the big questions that are the big issues for voters now about this war in Iran. So, yeah, I'm happy to talk about that stuff with the voters and tell them, like, here's what the situation is and it's. The credibility is much more important. I think so.

[A]

I think it's really important because I think too many candidates are not focusing on Iran, and I think they're behind the voters. I think you've been smart. First of all, you've been grinding away for years now, and I'm glad to see you finally getting the respect and attention that I think your candidacy deserves, because you're a serious guy, you're a serious candidate, you bring serious leadership. But Iran is front and center because I've called it a sucking chest wound. It's not just about the foreign intervention. It's not just about regime change, wars. It's not just about us running out of munitions now and spending billions of dollars. It's also about the impact it's having on our economy, where gas prices are up, diesel prices are up, fertilizer is up, and that's hitting people especially hard in South Dakota. So I imagine that going hard on Rounds on the Iran war is going to be popular, not just with independents and Democrats, but with Republicans, a lot of MAGA voters who have had enough of this crap.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. You know, the farmers, the ranchers, the input costs for fuel, for fertilizer, that sort of thing. You can trace that directly to the Iran war. And I still encounter people die hards of like, oh, you know, Iran and nuclear weapons. I wrote a paper about Iran and nuclear weapons 20 years ago. So I'm happy to talk about that with the voters and explain, okay, this is why you're not seeing this. But the fact that the war is a particularly important aspect of the ongoing affordability crisis is something that it's all kind of a big ball of things tied together that Mike Rounds is just ignoring and, you know, Congress is basically just ignoring at the same time that we need to unravel and address.

[A]

So Mike Rounds has been a rubber stamp on the Iran war, which is unauthorized, in my view, you could argue, unconstitutional, definitely unpopular and less popular by the day. He also hasn't been very strong on veterans issues, which is, you know, I think, another side of the same coin. But there's an opportunity for you to also advocate for veterans across the state, many of whom live in rural areas and are Far away from the care that they need, right?

[B]

Oh, absolutely. Yeah. The. I think the population of veterans in this state is, I want to say, about 12%. So it is one of the higher states to have a veteran population, particularly in the west river area where I live. And veterans care. Well, healthcare in general is a problem out here because of the rural nature of the state. So with Mike Rounds cutting the big, beautiful bill, cutting things, Medicaid for particular, that's what keeps rural hospitals alive. So whether you're a veteran or whether you're not being able to access rural healthcare within a reasonable proximity of where you are is an important thing. And Mike Rounds just forgets about that.

[A]

So there's been, you know, this surge of socialist populism. Right. We see that with the Democratic primary in Michigan. We've seen that in New York and in Seattle and other places. But as I've countered with, folks, you know, Trump is a populist, too, but I think maybe the real true populace or the most authentic populists are the independents who are challenging Trump and the Democrats who are challenging the status quo and affordability. I mean, you're in a unique position, I think, to really stand with South Dakota against everybody and all of it because they must feel like they're under attack. But can you talk about the response you're getting from people to the fact that you are an independent, you're not taking money from billionaires, you're not in the pocket of the parties, and you're not an incumbent who's been a rubber stamp for everybody?

[B]

Yeah, I've been out at the state, or not state fair, but at a county fair last night, talking to people about it. And again, the message that really resonates is that big money controls our system. And to a person, everybody says, yep, that's a problem. We need to address it. So when I go out and talk to them, I try to. My background's in history, so I try to remind them of, we've had this fight before, and we won it over a century ago with the. The efforts of Teddy Roosevelt and, And say, like, well, I'm a Teddy Roosevelt Republican because I support busting up corporate trusts and I support reform and, and, you know, responding to the people. And I'm an Eisenhower Republican in the sense that I support. We need to get the corruption out of government. So there is a resonance out there for the type of. We just want the government to work, particularly in South Dakota, which led the way, as I said, over a century ago, in an effort to get Big money out of politics and just reminding people of who they are, where they came from and what has been done in the past and can be done again when something that everybody wants to be done isn't getting done.

[A]

So you've got a practical approach that I think is unique to so many independents. Right. It's moderate relative to the extreme parties that we're seeing take over, but it's a get shit done kind of approach. Can you talk about your approach, Brian? To two issues that I know are important in South Dakota and you know, across the country, but probably especially to Republican voters and independent voters, maybe all voters. Tariffs, which, which have hit places like South Dakota pretty hard, and immigration and, and what we're seeing happening there. Both are, I'm sure, of concern to people in your state. But what's your approach to both of those that's different from Mike Rams?

[B]

Well, absolutely. South Dakota has, I think it's either the, the first lowest or the lowest unemployment rate in the country. And you think, well, that sounds great and everything, but it's actually because there's literally not enough people for the jobs here. So we have low unemployment, we need more people to work. So the immigration aspect, what I'm proposing is a complete overhaul to the immigration, legal immigration system to recognize that, no kidding, we do need people who want to come here to work. But also, hey, we do need to have some security aspects on the border and I think a physical wall. You know, we don't live in ancient China or ancient Rome, so a physical wall is kind of a stupid idea. A high tech wall where you have people, again, you know, my background is military, so the missile fields, Air Force missile fields, you have high tech systems and you have roving security that oh, hey, there's an alarm over there, go over there immediately. So that would be more effective than let's build a physical wall like they did in ancient Rome. So yeah, there is actual issues that if you look at the facts of the matter as opposed to the party dogma, you can come up to a practical solution that would benefit everybody. Just on immigration, on. I forgot, what was the other topic

[A]

you mentioned on tariffs?

[B]

Yeah, well, I'm a constitutional originalist in the sense of Congress is allocated specific functions and the executive branch is allocated specific functions. And if you read the Constitution and it says this is yours Congress and this is yours or not yours executive branch, you follow what the Constitution says. So clearly the president does not have, period, the tariff power at all. It's not his. And he's using Congress's power, misusing Congress's power. And Congress needs to stand up, wake the hell up, and do their damn job as envisioned by the founders and rattle the chain of the executive branch. Not just on tariffs, but on a whole bunch of things where we're letting the president run amok and do things that constitutionally he has no authority to do. So tariffs have hurt. You know, I'm not going to be anti tariff in the sense of tariffs are bad across the board. Tariffs are a good surgical tool to be used here and there as opposed to we're tariffing everything and you and you and you. That is a stupid approach and Congress needs to recognize that. I'm sure they do. They just are too much of a damn coward to actually stand up and talk about it, though, folks.

[A]

Isn't it nice to hear someone talk about the Constitution and know what the hell they're talking about? I mean, this is a great advantage to having you in the race, in the national dialogue, I believe, having you in the Senate. I mean, this is really, I think, important, especially as you challenge Mike Rounds for Republican voters, because, you know, this used to be a Republican position that they, you know, abided by the Constitution, especially on things like tariffs. We've seen Republicans like Don Bacon and others make this case recently, but I think it's an important one. Let me ask you to stay on that note if you can, Brian. Cuz you've been really great. In another area, Trump's talking about more war. He's talking about Cuba. Now they're talking about authorizing the CIA to do operations. He said he wants to hit Cuba, he says he wants to hit Greenland, he says he wants to hit other countries. But we've now got forever war where the president is totally unencumbered. The Senate has done nothing to stop him. And I think this is a great example of where you would be different than Mike Rounds. I assume you would want some checks on the president before he attacks Cuba. Mike Rounds would probably give him a blank check and all the money he wants and give Hagset the pat on the back and say, go ahead, man, whatever you need. But, but I want to let you expand on that, how you might be different from Mike Rounds on, for example, if Trump wants to attack Cuba.

[B]

Yeah, well, my, as I said before, my background is international law and the law of armed conflict. So I look at things from that standpoint of what is the international obligations the United States has, because we've taken up the treaties that say we have these obligations and we do not have the basis to invade Greenland, invade Cuba, period. We just don't. Under the international framework that I taught a bunch of academy cadets and a bunch of NATO officers and NCOs, we don't. So there's that check and then there's the Constitution, which is the primary check of. And the biggest problem, I would say, with the Iran war is that you didn't sell it on the front end to justify the expense in blood and treasure that you're now using with the Iran wars. He can't really go in and say, hey, this is all America, and then having body bags shipped back because nobody has approved this war except for the President. And we would have the same situation in Greenland and Cuba. So there is a multitude of legal things that if Congress wasn't full of a bunch of I'm going to be. You're getting me kind of worked. Congress wasn't full of a bunch of damn pussies, then they would be up there raising their hand and saying, what are you doing, President? You cannot do this. You do not have that power. We're going to follow the Constitution because that is the primary law of the land and that's what they people of our states have elected us to follow and do. Sorry.

[A]

This is what I like about you, man. When you get fired up, you don't hold back. And that's what people want to see. They want to see an authentic person who's going to fight for them. And I keep telling folks that, you know, independent veterans are the fighters this country is looking for, and Brian Bangs is one of the best of them. Let me ask you to build on that, Brian. People don't want to see billions of dollars sent to Iran or Israel or other places when infrastructure back home continues to suffer. They want investments in education and healthcare. Talk about South Dakota is a place that depends on bridges and roads, right? You need infrastructure. You know, you're putting more miles on your truck than probably anybody running for any office. But talk about the need that you're hearing from people in South Dakota and how you'll be a fighter on making sure that money is invested in South Dakota and not in missiles.

[B]

Yeah, well, I'm an Eisenhower Republican in that sense. When we spend money on the bombers, on the missiles and the wars, wherever, and give it to other people for the same reasons, then it's money that we don't spend on the schools, on the hospitals, on the roads and the bridges as you highlighted. So at this point, we are flailing around on the international stage going what do we want to do? Do we want to be a global superpower and invade a bunch of people, a bunch of other countries, or do we want to focus on ourselves? So we were sold under the Trump administration that it's going to be America first, which you would think would mean, yeah, we're going to spend more money at home rather than spend more money fighting people overseas for some reason or no reason, as we can see with Cuba and Greenland. So, yes, I am a proponent of let's help the folks at home. That's why I'm being sent there. And national, that is the problem with national party politics is you get to D.C. and you do what the party bosses and the big money donors want and yeah, you know, don't have to worry about reelection. It's a solid red, it's a solid blue state. That is the problem with the system. So they send me, South Dakota voters, send me to D.C. i'm going to deliver for what they need, not for what the party wants or what the president wants to do. If you sell me on it, okay, we're on board. But first and foremost it is for the voters of South Dakota and what's best for them.

[A]

I hope folks are listening because this is what I think. Right. Sounds like in being able to unify people of all backgrounds and send a real fighter to Washington. Brian, let me ask you, there's no new polling, right, since your Democratic Poland dropped out, is there?

[B]

No, no, no, he just dropped out on Tuesday. So yeah.

[A]

So we're still digesting that. Hopefully we'll have new polling. When we do, we'll bring it to you. But can you talk about what you need now? Now you got a heads up fight now. It's a one on one. You know, a couple months ago we were saying, you know, he might ignore you and not debate you. He can't ignore you now it's one on one. Right? So what do you need right now? He can try, but I think, I think that that's going to hurt him and I think it'd be foolish. But what do you need right now in this next couple of days and weeks to take advantage of this moment and surge?

[B]

Obviously it's the same, same old song and dance and I wish it wasn't this way, but of course it's money. We need more money to, to get on tv. Fortunately, South Dakota is probably the cheapest state for ads this, this cycle. Every dollar here goes 39 times farther, farther than it would in like Florida or Pennsylvania or something like that. So you know, a donation of 10 bucks is like 390 bucks in one of those most expensive states. So money, support, whatever people are interested in, able to do to, you know, write letters, you know, whatever, whatever people are willing to do to try to get this movement. Because, again, I'm not selling myself. And I need to persuade the people of, like, oh, it's Team Red or Team Blue. It's Team Red or Team Blue. I need to persuade them that, no, it is Team Purple, the independent veterans. I talk about this all the time with people that I'm part of this group. And I'm not going to caucus with Team Red or Team Blue. I'm going to caucus with the independents, and we're going to try to be the fulcrum in the Senate that denies the majority to either party because we need changes in the system. We can't just have the status quo keeping us limping along like he has been for so long.

[A]

I think this is so important. We'll have Joe Manchin and Heather Manchin on the show, I hope, next week, if not sometime soon. You know, they made the rounds last weekend and put this argument forward about the power of the independent fulcrum, something we've been talking about on this show for years now. When we first introduced you and others who were among the first to say you would not caucus with the Republicans or Democrats. Now I think people get it, Brian. Right? Like, you were ahead of the curve. We were ahead of the curve in explaining this. Now the country's catching up, and I really just want to underscore for people who are listening, this is what change looks like. And you heard Brian make the case about the roi. There's so many people dumping money into Maine or into Texas where, you know, change has been promised over and over again. The Democrats are not gonna save you. The Democrats are not gonna be a check. The Democrats are not gonna hold the Democrats and the Republicans accountable. Independent veterans will. And Brian Bangs has been out there banging away for years now. And it's a really exciting moment where we've got three out of four are now head to head. We've got Todd Achilles in Idaho, we've got Dan Osborne in Nebraska, We've got you in South Dakota, and hopefully we'll have Seth Bodnar head to head in Montana as well. But then we've got the proof of concept. And imagine a world where all four of you win. Or imagine a world where just one or two of you win. It's historic. It would break the log jam. It would Disrupt the status quo. And I just want to underscore this is the greatest opportunity for change in the Senate races in America right now. I think your race especially is the biggest ROI for even if you only have five bucks or you have 500,000, your ROI, the return on investment in South Dakota is better than anywhere.

[B]

Yeah, that's what we've been pitching all along, is that the ads are so cheap here. Unfortunately, the gas is. Well, it's cheaper than New York, certainly, but it's kind of expensive out here. So the pickup is a little bit thirsty, but it gets us, you know, out there. So doing what we want to do, which is I want to spend more time in the small towns, in the cafes, in the restaurants and the bars and the gas stations, talking to people. And I've been able to do a little bit of that so far, but I'm kind of double down on it now that it's a head to head and get out to those places and spread the message of you want some change? Here it is on a platter. You may not like everything about me, but you're going to like a lot.

[A]

South Dakota is also a beautiful place in August, and it's always a beautiful place. I always recommend you follow Brian Bangs for just the beautiful scenery to better understand how gorgeous and stunning his state is. But August and September is a nice time to be in South Dakota. So you can also get on, you know, your car or take a train or whatever else and go volunteer, especially if you're in South Dakota. I know you need volunteer horsepower too. So I want to appeal especially to my fellow independent veterans, all independent Americans, if you're in South Dakota, if you're near South Dakota. Brian also needs, you know, horsepower. He needs field game. He needs folks to come out and help him span this very large and beautiful state. So, look, man, I'm so inspired by you. I'm. I'm so grateful you didn't quit. You know, like a lot of people would have quit. You were living in a camper, you were getting no attention, you were grinding away. But you're a man of integrity. We were proud to endorse you from Independent Veterans of America. We'll do all we can to support you, but I'm really just grateful for your leadership and your sacrifice because your moment is here and the country better wake up and send you some reinforcements because you're the real deal, man.

[B]

Yeah, appreciate it. So, you know, just to everybody, this is a movement, the Veteran Movements, the Independent Veteran Movement. We're going to make a difference. And so if we can pull this off, then the floodgates open and we can get independents and veterans across the country.

[A]

There it is. Brian Bangs is leading the way. He's the tip of the spear. And now, as I said yesterday on tv, I think it's the most exciting Senate race in America. This is a race that in like four weeks, the national media are going to start, oh, what's going on in South Dakota? If you listen to this show, if you watch this show, you heard about this years ago, you heard about Brian years ago, and now you're in the movement. You're on the team. We're all pulling for you, man. I'm going to let you get back on the road and cover a lot of mileage. I don't know if anybody covers more mileage than you, but we're rooting for you. We're grateful for you. Keep it up, man, and stay vigilant.

[B]

All right. Thank you so much, Paul.

[A]

All right, there he is, the great Brian Bangs, linked in the bio and linked in my show notes. More, of course, at IndependentAmericans US share this with everybody far and wide, folks. Let them know about what's happening in South Dakota. The corporate, the partisan, the mainstream media is not covering this. They're not bringing you Brian for over 20 minutes. Your support makes it possible. So spread the word, tell people about what's happening here. Be sure to subscribe and check out Brian's campaign. It's linked in the show notes and independentveteransofamerica.org and if you want to follow his lead, we need more independent veterans to run, so go to independentveterans of America.org you can help carry the torch and follow Brian's lead. Thanks for, for joining us again, Brian. And thank you to everybody for watching. Stay vigilant, folks tells me the left and right are dreams for those without a clue and when you wake it's time to grow, bro and it's not cool to believe in school but if I can say one thing I've seen the children of the revolution and the good trouble they can bring he says the red and blue are dead and

[B]

independent is an attitude an island in

[A]

the sea of rhetoric and not

[B]

dreams for those without a clue and when

[A]

you wait it's time to grow Power by Righteous Media.