The Chuck ToddCast

Interview Only w/ Paul Rieckhoff - Politicizing The Pentagon Is The Most Dangerous Thing Trump Can Do

12 Feb 2026

Audio

Description

In this episode of the Chuck Toddcast, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Paul Rieckhoff joins for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the football field to the battlefield and into the halls of power. Paul shares how his family's experience with Vietnam shaped his own path into the military and explores why the scars of Iraq and Afghanistan haven't left the same political mark as Vietnam did. The discussion dives into the state of today's all-volunteer military, raising concerns about recruiting under Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon, the politicization of military culture, and the promotion of a specific ideological agenda within the Department of Defense—including what it means for democracy when the most powerful military in the world operates with fewer checks than ever. The conversation then shifts to the growing power of political independents, with Paul making the case that unaffiliated voters and veteran candidates could serve as a moderating force in American politics. From the potential impact of just a handful of independent senators to why no military veteran has won the presidency since George H.W. Bush, Paul and Chuck explore what it would take to break the two-party stranglehold. They also touch on the challenges of independent media, how national security can be a clarifying lens for consuming news, and why Paul believes every voter should consider declaring independence—arguing it gives them more power, not less. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Paul Rieckhoff joins the Chuck Toddcast 02:00 Why football is the most selfless sport 03:45 Defense in football feels like it has caught up to offense 06:00 How & why did you get into the military? 07:45 Nobody feels the acute impact of politics more than military members 09:00 Impact of Vietnam on Paul’s father & family 11:00 Anyone eligible for the draft in Vietnam were obsessive over details 12:30 No Vietnam vet ever won the presidency, but came close 14:15 Scars from Iraq/Afghanistan haven’t affected politics like Vietnam did 14:45 All-volunteer military is good for military but terrible for democracy 15:30 Shunning NATO would have been unthinkable just a decade ago 16:15 Worried about military recruiting under Pete Hegseth 17:00 Hegseth is waging a culture war from the Pentagon 18:15 Recruiting tactics are recruiting a very specific type of candidate 19:30 Changes in policy are politicizing the military & changing culture 20:45 Hegseth is prioritizing & promoting christianity at the Pentagon 21:15 Trump has the most powerful military & can do what he wants with it 21:45 Most dangerous thing Trump can do is invoke Insurrection Act 22:30 Pentagon press corp has been replaced with propogandists 24:45 The only thing checking Trump is himself & Chairman of Joint Chiefs 26:00 Trump has been more strategic this term, & is ahead of schedule 27:30 Military culture & families historically tend to lean right politically 28:45 Many veterans remain politically unaffiliated 29:45 We haven’t elected a military veteran since George H.W. Bush 30:45 Combat service gives you a true sense of the cost of war 32:30 Washington & Eisenhower closest to being “independent” presidents 33:45 Efforts to get veterans elected to local/state office 36:00 Independents have their leanings but reject the two parties 38:00 A true independent could be the most powerful member of senate 38:45 4-6 independent’s could be a moderating fulcrum in senate 40:30 Even two independents breaking with their caucus would be huge 43:00 How can each party appeal to independent veterans? 46:00 Every voter should declare independence, gives them more power 47:00 Balancing creating vs. ingestion working in independent media 50:00 National security is a great clarifier when consuming news 51:15 Waking up early is the best way to avoid distractions 52:30 Israel’s citizen-military culture creates a lot of activism 53:30 Instability created by Trump has engaged the electorate 55:45 ICE has made the danger posed by administration very immediate 56:45 If running for office was viable for independents, Paul would consider it 58:30 Veterans that want to service should run for office, not join ICESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Interview Only w/ Paul Rieckhoff - Politicizing The Pentagon Is The Most Dangerous Thing Trump Can Do

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from The Chuck ToddCast

Full Episode - Trump’s Poll Numbers Are Sinking: Will Kristi Noem Take The Fall? + Hated By All The Right People: The Rise Of Tucker Carlson

Chuck’s Commentary - Trump’s Poll Numbers Are Sinking: Will Kristi Noem Take The Fall? + How Do We Get Out Of This?

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