US Air Force officer arrested after calling for Donald Trump's impeachment
Major Jason Watson, who protested in uniform outside the Capitol and sharply criticized the war with Iran, has been charged with contempt of the president, disobedience of orders, and conduct unbecoming an officer. His lawyers: a rare case in the history of the US military, "Trump is not just a failure as a president, he is blatantly violating the Constitution."
A US Air Force officer has been court-martialed after publicly criticizing President Donald Trump and the war with Iran, and even calling for his removal from office. The Air Force confirmed on Tuesday that Major Jason Watson, 40, has been charged with three offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice: making contemptuous words against high-ranking officials, disobedience of orders, and conduct unbecoming an officer. It was further stated that he will be held in custody until the trial. CNN was the first to report on the charges.
Watson was first arrested on July 1, after protesting while wearing his Air Force uniform on the steps of the Capitol in Washington. During the protest, he held a sign that read: "Impeach. Convict. Remove" — in reference to Donald Trump.
Last week, Watson was arrested again after being interviewed by CNN and sharply attacking the president:
"Trump is not just a failure as a president, he is blatantly violating the Constitution, breaking the law, involved in widespread corruption, and killing Americans."
Following his first arrest, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink wrote on social media that he expects all Air Force personnel to comply with laws and regulations regarding personal conduct, political participation, and the wearing of the uniform.
According to Watson's lawyers, he is considered one of the first officers at the rank of major in the history of the US military to be charged under Article 88, which prohibits officers from making contemptuous words against the president and other high-ranking officials. His lawyer stated that Watson does not retract his actions and "stands by the fact that he did this so that others would not have to."
