Defending the Guard and Defending the Land: State Power vs. Federal Overreach

In this powerful episode of Open Range, guest host Brandon Prichard welcomes two guests fighting battles that hit close to home—defending our Constitution and protecting rural communities from corporate overreach.
First, Dan McKnight, Chairman of Defend the Guard and a U.S. military veteran, explains his mission to stop the unconstitutional deployment of National Guard troops without a formal declaration of war by Congress. He makes a strong case for returning control of the Guard to the states, stressing that state-level legislation is essential because Washington has ignored the Constitution for far too long. Some Guard units are hesitant to support this due to concerns about losing federal funding—but McKnight argues that standing on principle is more important than federal dollars. He also discusses the Guard's involvement in domestic events like the LA riots, questioning if such use aligns with their true purpose.
Next, Brandon speaks with Tim Leppert from southeastern North Dakota about a controversial proposed energy project—the “Jet X” transmission line. This line is being promoted to power massive AI and data centers near Jamestown. Leppert reveals how this project got off the ground, pointing to MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) and certain local officials who pushed it through. He raises alarms about conflicts of interest, as some of these decision-makers could personally profit from the deal. The conversation highlights deep concerns about transparency, environmental impact, and whether these projects serve the public—or just a select few.
The episode wraps up with Dr. Jake Schmitz sharing a practical healthy living tip, reminding viewers to take care of their physical well-being in these challenging times.