Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Episode: Trump vs Greenland, Denmark, The World w/ Ty Pinkins

Date: January 20, 2026
Guest: Ty Pinkins (Independent U.S. Senate candidate, Mississippi, veteran, activist)

Episode Overview

This episode of Independent Americans delves into the surging power of American independent voters and candidates amidst unprecedented global turbulence—specifically, Donald Trump’s provocative foreign policy moves, including escalations with Canada, Greenland, Venezuela, and broader NATO concerns.
Host Paul Rieckhoff welcomes back Ty Pinkins, a decorated Army veteran and independent Senate candidate in Mississippi, for an honest, urgent conversation about the collapsing credibility of the two-party system, the media’s neglect of independents, America’s role on the world stage, and the groundswell of citizen activism.

Key Topics & Insights

1. A Fractured World and Trump’s Global Gambit

[05:00 – 14:00]

• Trump released a disturbingly imperialistic AI-generated image, placing the American flag over Greenland, Canada, Venezuela.
• He’s now openly discussing annexing parts of Canada and Venezuela, alarming U.S. allies; NATO ramps up military presence in Greenland; Denmark deploys combat troops.
• Rieckhoff: “Trump is literally pissing off the entire world... He is not insane. He is extremely calculated, he is extremely ambitious, and he is extremely serious. It is radical, it is infuriating, it is un-American, but he is not crazy. He knows what he's doing and it's working for him.” ([07:23])
• U.S. markets react negatively; alliances are imperiled; Vladimir Putin is likely “sending golden thank you notes to Trump every night.”
• ICE conducts unconstitutional raids, symbolizing larger breakdowns in rule of law and compassion.

2. The Media, the Military, and Who Can Stop the Madness

[10:00 – 15:00]

• Tom Nichols (The Atlantic): “It's not up to the military to put a stop to Trump's ghastly ideas of war against NATO. The United States is not run by the military, nor should it be. Americans and their elected representatives must take this burden away from the armed forces.” ([10:18])
• General Barry McCaffrey: "The generals are not going to save America. Voters, Congress, the federal courts, the media..."
• Both underscore desperate need for civilian political leadership and responsibility.
• The Democrats and Republicans are failing to act decisively—paralysis in Congress, absence of clear opposition.

3. The Rise of Independents: Data, Narrative, and Media Suppression

[15:00 – 26:00]

• Gallup Poll: 45% of Americans now identify as politically independent—a record high.
• Pinkins describes the generational trajectory: “Pandemics have been a majority of the population for a while... It’s growing: 43% last year, now 45%.” ([22:05])
• Media and major political parties ignore or actively suppress this surge; Associated Press refused a story about four veteran independent Senate candidates—Pinkins included.
• Pinkins: “The media is bought and sold. They're working against independents, just like the two major parties are.” ([24:16])
• Both Rieckhoff and Pinkins agree: Americans need “permission” to vote independent—a viable candidate they can trust—which Pinkins is striving to embody.

4. Independent Senate Campaign in Mississippi: On-the-Ground Challenges and Party Entrenchment

[29:00 – 40:30]

• Pinkins critiques both parties for “not using tools at their disposal,” referencing co-equal powers in government, such as impeachment.
• He cites French President Macron’s warning: The world is becoming “one without rules,” dominated by force over law. ([29:55])
• Blistering critique of Senate inaction: “You have constitutional responsibility to use the tools that the American people gave you when they elected you to go to office... to make difficult decisions when the American people are threatened.” ([32:01])
• Warns NATO’s Article 5 could—ironically—be invoked AGAINST the U.S. if Trump attacks Greenland, since it is a NATO member. This would be the second time Article 5 was activated; the first was post-9/11.
• On “splitting the vote” in Mississippi: Pinkins dismisses the spoiler argument, citing 44 years and 15 straight Senate losses for Mississippi Democrats. “Split the losing vote? That makes no sense... What really needs to happen is Black people in Mississippi, African Americans in Mississippi, need to look at the Democratic Party... and ask them: why are you telling me to invest my vote in a 44-year losing effort?” ([39:10])

5. The Broader Independent Movement and Cultural Parallels

[40:30 – 43:50]

• Rieckhoff: The struggle of insurgent independent candidates mirrors Indiana’s unlikely college football championship run, emblematic of the underdog’s triumph with integrity and innovation.
• Renewed call for a broader coalition: veterans, progressives, and moderate Republicans uniting for systemic government reform.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Calculated Moves:
  “He is not insane. He is extremely calculated, he is extremely ambitious, and he is extremely serious. It is radical, it is infuriating, it is un-American, but he is not crazy. He knows what he's doing and it's working for him.” – Paul Rieckhoff ([07:23])

• On Independent Suppression:
  “You mean to tell me that four veterans who fought for this country, bled for this country... are running to represent this country in the United States Senate in the time that we are in now? ...As an editor of the Associated Press, you're saying that 45% of Americans... don't deserve to know who these veterans are who are running for independence? The media is bought and sold.” – Ty Pinkins ([24:10])

• On Impeachment and Government Responsibility:
  “There is no rule in the Constitution that says you can't impeach a president more than once. The American people want you to do something.” – Ty Pinkins ([30:40])

  “To not talk about impeachment would be, I think, irresponsible—a dereliction of duty.” – Paul Rieckhoff ([33:43])

• On Mississippi and Spoiler Myths:
  “You’re meaning to tell me that you’ve lost 15 straight races in the party in a state, the poorest state in the country, the state with the highest percentage of African Americans ... and that's why I'm running as an independent.” – Ty Pinkins ([39:10])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|----------------------------------------------| | 05:00 | Trump’s AI image & global provocations | | 07:23 | Rieckhoff’s take on Trump’s motives | | 10:18 | Tom Nichols, Gen. McCaffrey: civilian action | | 15:00 | The surge of US independents; Gallup data | | 22:05 | Ty Pinkins: Generational indy trends | | 24:10 | Pinkins exposes media rejection (AP editor) | | 29:55 | Macron’s warning; Senate inaction | | 32:01 | Pinkins on the Senate’s constitutional duty | | 33:43 | Article 5/NATO: America as the threat | | 39:10 | Mississippi: Spoiler argument eviscerated | | 43:29 | “Something Good” – American resilience | | 45:23 | Final thanks & call to action |

Tone & Style Notes

• The episode maintains Rieckhoff’s signature blend of righteous frustration, dark humor, and insistent optimism.
• Pinkins speaks with conviction and clarity—blunt, principled, relatable, especially about life in Mississippi and independent hope.

“Something Good”: Signs of Hope

[43:29 – 45:23]

• Rieckhoff: Celebrates Indiana football’s championship and parallels with political underdogs overcoming systemic barriers via courage, unconventional thinking, and integrity.
• Pinkins: “The American people. Despite everything that's going on in our democracy ... the American people are standing up over and over ... [They] have heart. We love each other ... and we will stand up for [our neighbors].” ([43:29])

Takeaways & Calls to Action

• The independent movement is at a critical mass; the major parties and media may try to ignore it, but change is afoot.
• Ty Pinkins is a compelling voice for independent and disenfranchised voters, offering a credible challenge in a seemingly unwinnable race.
• Listeners are urged to support independent leadership (via TyPinkins.com), challenge the status quo, and recognize their power to effect change—especially if they feel politically homeless.

Listen If...

• You want an unvarnished but inspiring take on America’s political crossroads.
• You’re curious about the independent movement’s future or involved in third-party activism.
• You’re looking for hope amid intensifying political and global chaos.

Selected Quote to Remember:
“You're not alone. We’re all vigilant and we’re all in this together.” – Paul Rieckhoff ([47:39])