Can the State Guard Save Our Democracy? Adrian Bonenberger. Independent Vet for Gov of Connecticut.
February 19, 2026
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46:32Now PlayingCan the State Guard Save Our Democracy? Adrian Bonenberger. Independent Vet for Gov of Connecticut.
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as posted by the channelWhat if the answer to federal overreach, a broken National Guard, and a generation of young men with nowhere to serve... was already written into the Constitution?
In Episode 444, Paul Rieckhoff sits down with Army Ranger, combat vet, journalist, and author Adrian Bonenberger — who has just declared his candidacy for Governor of Connecticut as an independent. Bonenberger's campaign is built around one bold, historically-grounded idea: reinstating the Connecticut State Guard as a voluntary, citizen-soldier force, distinct from the National Guard, that can't be deployed to foreign wars and puts defense back in the hands of everyday Americans.
Paul and Adrian also dig deep on ICE — why its enforcement culture mirrors a military kill-or-be-killed mindset, what the Founders intended when they wrote the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Amendments, and why mixing law enforcement with military training is a recipe for disaster. This is the kind of blunt, principled conversation you can only get from two combat veterans who've seen the profession of arms at its best and worst.
Plus: Why Adrian refuses to run for Congress. The post-industrial hollowing out of New England. How independent candidates actually get on the ballot in Connecticut. And why this independent movement is only getting started.
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🔗 SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT:
→ Adrian Bonenberger for Governor
→ Independent Veterans of America: independentveteransofamerica.org
→ Independent Americans: independentamericans.us
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