Air Force Major Jason Watson Released After Capitol Arrest at Trump Impeachment Protest
Updated
Updated · CNN · Jul 2
Air Force Major Jason Watson Released After Capitol Arrest at Trump Impeachment Protest
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Jul 2
Summary
Jason Watson, a US Air Force major arrested after urging Congress to impeach President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Capitol steps, was released and likely will not face charges.
Capitol Police said Watson refused lawful orders to stop an illegal demonstration after a member of Congress who had escorted him to the House steps left the area.
Watson spoke in military uniform at a Removal Coalition news conference, criticizing the administration's actions in Venezuela and Iran and its immigration crackdown as unconstitutional.
Active-duty dissent of this kind is rare because military rules bar contemptuous words against top officials under Article 88 and prohibit wearing a uniform at political rallies.
Rep. Al Green attended the event and later praised Watson, underscoring how the protest could still draw political and military scrutiny even without a criminal case.