Air Force major arrested for holding impeachment rally on Capitol steps
An active-duty Air Force officer was taken into custody by Capitol Police after a protest calling for President Trump’s impeachment on the Capitol’s House steps, violating regulations that bar service members from political activity in uniform.
U.S. Capitol Police detained Air Force Major Jason Watson on Wednesday afternoon after he spoke at a news conference on the Capitol’s House steps urging the impeachment of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The gathering, organized by the Removal Coalition, was attended by Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas who has introduced impeachment articles against Trump. Watson said he was there because Green was the only member of Congress willing to force a vote on impeachment, adding that civil resistance was needed to persuade lawmakers.
Capitol Police said the demonstration was illegal because it was not accompanied by a member of Congress, and Watson refused orders to cease the activity. He was charged with “crowding, obstructing, and incommoding,” offenses that carry stricter penalties for service members under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which bars contemptuous language toward senior officials.
An Air Force spokesperson reiterated that all personnel must adhere to laws and regulations governing conduct in and out of uniform, emphasizing the expectation of discipline and professionalism. Watson, who identified himself as non-partisan, criticized the administration’s actions in Venezuela, Iran and its immigration policies, describing them as unconstitutional and linking them to military casualties.
The Removal Coalition and Rep. Green’s office did not immediately comment, and Watson could not be reached for comment.
