US Air Force major faces 10 charges over protest — ABC News Australia
In the United States, Air Force Major Jason Watson has been charged with 10 counts under the Uniform Code of Military Justice following a protest near the Capitol in Washington. On July 1, he demanded the impeachment, conviction and removal of President Donald Trump and the US vice president. Capitol Police detained the officer, who was later transferred to Air Force investigators.
As ABC News Australia reports, after his speech Watson walked up the Capitol steps carrying a sign reading “Impeach, Convict, Remove.” According to Military Times, after his arrest he was taken to the Metropolitan Police Department, where he spent the night before a court hearing. Watson was then taken into custody by Air Force investigators.
Charges
The US Air Force confirmed that charges had been brought and said Watson would remain in pretrial detention and would be entitled to due process. An Article 32 hearing, which will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to refer the case to a court-martial, has been scheduled for September 18, 2026, at a military facility in the Washington area.
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The officer faces two counts under Article 88, which concerns contemptuous words by officers against the president, vice president and other specified officials. Another five counts were brought under Article 92 for failure to obey a lawful order, and three under Article 133 for conduct unbecoming an officer. Possible punishments include a reprimand, restriction of privileges, reassignment, reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duties or restrictions, a dishonorable discharge, imprisonment and loss of benefits.
The major’s statements and reaction
During his speech, Watson criticized Trump’s actions regarding Venezuela and Iran. He said orders for military operations in the absence of an emergency involving an imminent serious threat to US interests were unconstitutional because, in his view, they usurped Congress’s powers and violated the War Powers Clause. The major also claimed that this had led to the deaths of 13 service members and injuries to hundreds of others.
Watson has served in the US Air Force for 17 years, is a logistics officer, spent most of his career overseas and has received several service awards. In July 2025, he held a 22-day hunger strike on Capitol grounds. Senator Mark Kelly told USA Today that the administration was using rarely invoked powers to punish those who speak out publicly. Journalist Maria Shriver called Watson’s speech an exercise of the right to free speech in a post on X.
