Righteous Media

Paul Rieckhoff is Leading the Charge

RIGHTEOUS FOUNDER AND CEO

Host of Independent Americans and Founder and CEO of Independent Veterans of America and American Veterans for Ukraine

One of the most dynamic media leaders in America, Rieckhoff is a nationally-recognized independent authority on politics, war, the military, and veterans affairs. He’s an experienced media personality, author, political strategist. media critic, renowned social entrepreneur, Political Science professor, moderator and host. And a proud husband and father of two awesome (and exhausting) little boys. A gritty former high school football coach, investment banker, Army Infantry Officer and 9/11 First Responder, Rieckhoff founded Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in 2004 and has been a respected fixture on the American media and political scene ever since. 

In 2024, Rieckhoff founded the high impact organizations American Veterans for Ukraine and Independent Veterans of America, both designed to help veterans leverage their unique and powerful voices.

He’s a regular on MSNBC, CNN, NewsNation, Fox News and NPR and has appeared on hundreds of television and radio shows ranging from Real Time with Bill Maher to Meet The Press to PBS Newshour to Fox’s The Kelly File. He’s testified before Congress, battled with Presidents, and led groundbreaking bi-partisan efforts to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs, pass the New GI Bill, fight veterans suicide, and repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, while forging creative partnerships with Lady Gaga, NASCAR and Netflix. Rieckhoff has also produced four films (Warrior Champions, Reserved to Fight, Jerebek, and When I Came Home) and acted in Green Zone starring Matt Damon. Rieckhoff has trained thousands of veteran leaders to be “changemakers” and inspired millions worldwide to get involved, take action and make positive change and was honored for his exceptional service by the American Society for Suicide Prevention

Rieckhoff’s mantra is “adapt, improvise and overcome” and every day, he’s showing the world what American ingenuity, leadership and innovation are all about. Rieckhoff was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine, is an Ashoka Fellow and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. His honors include: GQ’s “50 Most Powerful People in D.C.”, Esquire’s “America’s Best and Brightest,” Rolling Stone’s “The Quiet Ones: 12 Leaders Who Get Things Done”, Penthouse’s Annual “Badass List” and The Hill’s “Top Lobbyists”.

Rieckhoff is a recognized and respected force in the media. He has a weekly segment on MSNBC’s Deadline White House with Nicolle Wallace and one on NewsNation Now with Connell McShane. He is a regular on NPR’s Here and Now, The Brian Lehrer Show, The Tavis Smiley Show and many top radio shows and podcasts. And had featured quotes in The New York Times, Associated Press (AP) and Newsweek, opinion pieces for CNN.com, MSNBC.com and The Daily Beast, and Tweets from Stephen Colbert, Meghan McCain, Rachel Maddow and many other top influencers. Variety Magazine covered the launch of Righteous in a feature article that made a splash in the entertainment, business and media world.Forbes and Fox News have also done features.

To inquire about booking Paul for an event, please contact CAA here.