334. Brian Bengs. Independent Vet for Senate in South Dakota. Retired LTC and Almost DOGEd Park Ranger. The Toxicity of the Democrat Brand. Running as a (D) vs (I). The New Pope is American!?! Trump Abandons Afghan Allies. And Accepts a $400M Plane Bribe.

There’s a spirit that’s sweeping across America. A growing desire for change. The system is broken. You know, we know it. And it’s kind of starting to feel like everybody knows it. So when the DOGE axe was going to come down on his group of rangers, he started planning. And even though he was later protected from being fired because he was a veteran, the fear and uncertainty didn’t sit with him. Retired Air Force Colonel Brian Bengs (@BrianBengs) is setting out to bring an independent voice to Washington and to protect the place he calls home. He ran before, and was urged to run as a Democrat. You’ll hear how he regrets that move and how it closes doors in the states where Democrats can’t win. States like South Dakota where he lives. States like Nebraska where Dan Osborn made his run at it. And in red states nationwide.  It’s the second conversation in our “2025 Meet The Independent Candidates” series. And it’s one you don’t want to miss. It’s a refreshing dose of independence and inspiration you probably need after all of the other crazy news of the last week. And we cover all of that too. Because if it’s related to National Security and veterans, we've got you covered. From a chance for peace in Ukraine to Trump’s absurdly corrupt new plane, the hits keep coming. And your host Paul Rieckhoff is there to cover it all—while taking you on a walk through Lower Manhattan in the rain. Including a stop the September 11th Memorial. No other podcast is like this.  There’s a movement sweeping across the heartland of America, and it ain’t red or blue. It’s independent.  Welcome to Independent Americans Episode 334. -Be sure to watch and subscribe on our YouTube page here. -Check out Brian Bengs campaign website here. -Get extra content, connect with guests, attend exclusive events, get merch discounts and support this critical show that speaks truth to power by joining our IA community on Patreon.  -NEW! Watch the video version of the entire podcast here. -Find us on social media and www.IndependentAmericans.us. Where you can also get some very cool IA merch in time for Father’s Day.  Ways to listen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667 Ways to watch: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Social channels: X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americans BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices