A major in the Air Force was criminally charged Monday for protesting against President Donald Trump after being accused of breaking the Pentagon’s regulations.
Jason Watson has been detained twice for his behavior, first on July 1, when he called for Trump’s impeachment while wearing his uniform on the U.S. Capitol steps, and last week, after giving a CNN interview in which he said Trump is “not only a failure as president, he is flagrantly violating the Constitution, breaking the law, engaged in rampant corruption and is killing Americans.”
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Watson’s lawyer said his client was slapped with three charges over allegations he violated aspects of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including accusations he broke War Department regulations that bar troops from speaking out in favor of partisan causes, disobeyed orders, engaged in conduct unbecoming of an officer, and wore his uniform while participating in the anti-Trump protest at the Capitol.
“Maj Watson will continue to be held in pre-trial confinement,” a spokesperson for the Air Force told the Washington Examiner. “Airmen are afforded the right to due process, and considered innocent until proven guilty, in accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice. ”
The spokesperson confirmed Watson was charged with violating UCMJ Articles 88, 92, and 133.
Attorney Christopher Mutimer said his client is among the first officers of his rank in history to be charged under Article 88, which relates to making “contemptuous” remarks about the president. The Article 88 charges stem from a June interview Watson did with the Defenders of Our Republic newsletter on Substack, his protest at the U.S. Capitol, and the CNN interview on August 17, according to Newsweek.
At the Capitol protest, Watson was initially accompanied by Rep. Al Green (D-TX), but he was arrested after the congressman left, due to regulations barring protests on the Capitol steps unless participants are accompanied by a lawmaker.
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Watson is three years away from retirement, having served in the Air Force for 17 years. The military has issued a statement that he is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. The Air Force District of Washington is expected to oversee his trial if the case is referred to a general court-martial.
“He truly believes in everything about our Constitution and what it represents and the oath that he swore,” Mutimer told CNN. “He stands by the fact that he did this so others wouldn’t have to and to share that to anyone who’s scared and feels alone that they are not alone.”
