Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff — Episode 429

Date: January 31, 2026
Title: Trump Attacks Journalism: Don Lemon and Georgia Ford Arrested. Plus: More Epstein Files Drop.

Overview

In this urgent and charged episode, host Paul Rieckhoff dives deep into the escalating clash between the Trump administration and the free press following the stunning arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Ford. Rieckhoff frames these actions as the latest, most dangerous phase in Trump’s ongoing “war on the press”—a campaign that threatens not only journalists but anyone who speaks out against the president. Covering breaking news from Minneapolis, global military developments, notable moments in activism, and even sports and culture news, Rieckhoff keeps independent listeners informed, inspired, and, above all, vigilant.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Ford — An Attack on Journalism

[00:30 – 10:24]

• Don Lemon, former CNN anchor, and Georgia Ford, independent journalist, were arrested by federal agents, allegedly for their involvement in filming and participating at a Minnesota church protest.
• Rieckhoff characterizes these arrests as a major escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on the press:
  • “Don Lemon’s in jail and Donald Trump is not playing by your rules. He doesn't care about your norms. He doesn't care about your laws. He is all gas, no brakes.” — Paul Rieckhoff [00:30]
• Trump is sending a message: anyone identifying as a journalist, from celebrities to Substack writers, is now a potential target if they criticize him.
• The metaphor of “President Mayhem” is invoked repeatedly, emphasizing Trump’s disregard for legal and democratic norms.

Georgia Ford’s Live Arrest

• Georgia Ford posted a video as federal agents arrived at her door, highlighting the personal and family trauma involved:
  • “I filmed a protest as a member of the media. We are supposed to have our constitutional right of the freedom to film… now I'm being arrested for that.” — Georgia Ford [06:18]
  • Agents produced a grand jury warrant; Ford notes she did not publicize the sealed defendant’s list out of legal caution but was still arrested.
• Onlookers captured the aggressiveness of the agents:
  • “This seems a little bit aggressive to have all these cars in our cul de sac. Two, three agents... this is a little aggressive to just serve a warrant.” — Protester/Onlooker [09:21]

Rieckhoff’s Big Picture

• These incidents represent the most dangerous new line crossed in the campaign against the Fourth Estate, with chilling implications for American democracy.
• “Free Georgia Ford. Free Don Lemon. Free America. And stay vigilant, America, because there will be no breaks and no days off.” — Paul Rieckhoff [10:24]

2. Trump’s Strategic Crackdown: The Bigger Play

[10:24 – 17:34]

• Rieckhoff frames the arrests as part of Trump’s broader strategy: criminalizing journalism, protesting, and recording government actions.
• Trump is reportedly seeking to invoke the Insurrection Act, using protests as a pretext for militarized crackdowns:
  • “Trump wants big protests. He wants friction.... Trump is hoping there'll be a spark... so he can respond on plan with the Insurrection Act in Minneapolis, which would... disrupt[] and potentially block[] elections in the fall.” — Paul Rieckhoff [13:00]
• The 11th Airborne Corps is reportedly on standby for deployment to Minneapolis; the Freedom Caucus has endorsed this approach.

3. Global Tensions — Military Maneuvering and “No Brakes” Abroad

[17:34 – 21:40]

• Rieckhoff warns listeners not to be distracted by media attention on domestic chaos—military preparations are underway, focused on Iran:
  • “Trump can do anything he wants with the most powerful military the world has ever seen and nothing is stopping him. Anything else is just friction.” — Paul Rieckhoff [18:40]
• The Pentagon is telegraphing military readiness, with the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East and troop movements suggesting the option of airstrikes.

4. More Epstein Files Released

[17:34 – 21:40]

• In a notable Friday “news dump”, millions of pages of the Epstein files, including new names and evidence, are released. Rieckhoff highlights the timing as part of a pattern of distraction and friction management by Trump.

5. The Menace and Expansion of ICE

[21:40 – 28:44]

• Rieckhoff condemns ICE as operating with a “rotten to the core” culture, playing multiple protest videos:
  • Durango, CO incident: Federal agents snatch a phone from an elderly woman and physically assault her during a peaceful protest.
    • Quote: “Could be your mom, could be your grandma... Now they're beating up old ladies.” — Paul Rieckhoff [22:42]
  • Minneapolis, MN incident: Agents tackle a woman holding a four-year-old, kneeling on her back and hauling her away, with mother and child going missing in ICE custody. Rieckhoff shares the story of Elizabeth, a mother and protester:
    • “That maternal love and protective courage are what fueled her in that moment... But they continue to be smashed by ICE.” — Paul Rieckhoff [24:00]
• Another report from Portland, Maine details ICE agents shattering a car window and leaving a one-month-old baby and its mother alone in the cold.

6. Chilling Effects on Children and Communities

[22:42 – 25:20]

• Rieckhoff recounts a conversation with a friend:
  • “[Her] ten-year-old boy doesn’t want to leave the house because he’s worried he’s going to get arrested by the police. He sleeps in her bed because he wants her to know that he’s there to protect her... He’s just a kid.” — Paul Rieckhoff [23:20]
• The repeated trauma, fear, and psychological impact on children and families is condemned in direct, emotional terms.

7. Call to Abolish ICE

[25:20 – 28:44]

• Rieckhoff urges: “It’s not salvageable... Defund ICE, shut it down... the culture of ICE is rotten to the core.” [26:40]

8. National Guard, Military Spending, and Control

[28:44 – 30:58]

• Updates: Over 2,600 National Guard troops are now stationed in D.C., at a monthly cost of $55 million, further illustrating the administration’s ongoing militarization of domestic response.

9. Ukraine — A Glimmer of Hope

[30:58 – 32:21]

• Trump claims to have arranged (via Putin) a one-week pause in Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure—a move Rieckhoff approaches skeptically, urging support for independent Ukrainian journalism and ongoing vigilance.

10. Open Primaries and Independent Voters

[32:21 – 33:05]

• Rieckhoff spotlights a bipartisan bill in Maryland aimed at opening primaries to the state’s one million independent voters. He calls out Governor Wes Moore for his silence on the issue and frames open primaries as a linchpin in the fight to preserve democracy.
  • “Public support is overwhelmingly in favor of open primaries. 71% of Americans support open primaries.” — Paul Rieckhoff [32:47]

11. Culture & Community: Remembering Catherine O’Hara

[36:03 – 36:54]

• Marking somber news, Rieckhoff pays tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara, calling her a “true American icon” whose humor helped people through hard times.

12. Friday Football & The “Woke Bowl”

[36:54 – 41:59]

• Previewing the Pro Bowl’s new flag football format, emphasizing its growing popularity—especially among women.
• Trashes Senator Tommy Tuberville’s culture war grandstanding:
  • “You are undoubtedly the most partisan, the most ridiculous, the most disgraceful member of the U.S. Senate... Take the next couple weeks off. Go get an ice bath and stay away from the Super Bowl.” — Paul Rieckhoff [37:45]
• Predicts NFC victory in the Pro Bowl flag football game, touts the joy of the sport.

13. “Something Good”: The Protesters of Minneapolis

[41:59 – 42:36]

• Rieckhoff’s signature “something good” segment gives credit and gratitude to Minnesotan protesters braving the “fucking cold” in defense of constitutional rights:
  • “If you need something good... turn on that TV over the weekend and look at the protesters who are out there exercising their First Amendment rights. A lot of folks who have never protested before... now is a time to speak out.” — Paul Rieckhoff [42:00]

14. Closing Inspiration & Call to Action

[42:36 – End]

• Rieckhoff underscores the growing independent movement as the antidote to authoritarianism, calling on listeners to join, share, support, and above all, “stay vigilant.”
  • “Hope is the oxygen of democracy... Our independent movement... is the hope for the future. Country over party, people over politics, light over heat, challenging the status quo and fueling a new movement that stands across our country.” — Paul Rieckhoff [45:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He is all gas, no brakes.” — Paul Rieckhoff [00:30, 17:34, 29:40]
• “If you're not angry, you're not paying attention.” — Paul Rieckhoff [05:00, 27:40]
• “Don Lemon’s a guy I’ve known for decades… And now the president has put him in jail. Trump has put him in jail. President Mayhem himself has marked Don Lemon and Georgia, and they are now somewhere being held.” — Paul Rieckhoff [03:50]
• “It’s hard to understand how we have constitutional rights when you can just be arrested for being a member of the press.” — Georgia Ford [07:30]
• “Defund ICE. Shut it down. And keep in mind that it's happening all over the country and in more places every day.” — Paul Rieckhoff [26:40]
• “If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.” — Paul Rieckhoff [27:40]
• “Our independent movement… is the hope for the future. Country over party, people over politics, light over heat.” — Paul Rieckhoff [45:08]
• “You can’t let them fuck with your joy people… joy is a form of resistance.” — Paul Rieckhoff [42:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:30: Main story intro, Don Lemon and Georgia Ford arrests
• 06:18: Georgia Ford’s video statement as agents arrive
• 09:21: Onlooker video, Ford’s arrest at home
• 10:24: Rieckhoff analysis: the war on the press, Trump’s strategy
• 17:34: Military focus shifts to Iran, Pentagon posture
• 21:40: ICE abuses—assaulting protesters, children traumatized
• 26:40: Call to “defund and shut down” ICE
• 30:58: Ukraine ceasefire claims
• 32:21: Open primary reform in Maryland
• 36:03: Tribute to Catherine O’Hara
• 36:54: Friday Football, “Woke Bowl” segment
• 41:59: “Something Good” — Minneapolis protesters
• 45:08: Closing call to hope, vigilance, and independent action

Tone & Language

• Direct, urgent, impassioned, and often raw—Rieckhoff communicates without euphemism, mixing tough warnings, emotional appeals, and moments of levity.
• He maintains a stance of fiercely independent critique: “country over party, people over politics, light over heat.”
• The language is intended to inform, motivate, and sometimes jolt listeners into action and vigilance.

Final Takeaway

This episode sets a stark tone for 2026: journalism, dissent, and even basic civil actions such as recording government events are under direct attack. Rieckhoff demands that Americans recognize this moment for what it is—a test of democracy’s durability—and calls on independents and the “angry middle” to push back, mobilize, and keep hope alive by defending each other, supporting free press, and building a movement that puts people over power.

Stay vigilant. Stay independent. Stay together.