Originally published in Newsweek.
Written by Marni Rose McFall, Jordan King, Hannah Parry, Joshua Rhett Miller, and Khaleda Rahman

The U.S. Air Force is investigating a decorated major who was arrested on Wednesday for staging a protest calling for President Donald Trump's impeachment, military officials said.

The U.S. Air Force has announced an investigation after Major Jason Watson held a sign calling for Trump to be removed from office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where protests are prohibited unless participants are accompanied by a member of Congress.

Initially, Watson had been accompanied by the Texas Democratic Congressman Al Green, but when he left the area, police said he would need to stop his protest or be arrested.

In video footage shared widely on social media, Watson is seen in uniform, speaking at the protest.

"The president and vice president must be impeached, convicted and removed," Watson said.

A fundraiser, set up on the platform Spot Fund in support of Watson, has raised over $139,000; while another launched on GoFundMe has raised over $5,000, as of Friday morning. The Spot Fund fundraiser states that it is taking donations for “the defense fund of this patriotic hero.”

The footage then shows him being arrested while standing on the steps of the Capitol.

In a video shared to X, Green said: "I just left the Capitol grounds, and I was there to witness a major in the U.S. military…He stood for the impeachment of a president on the Capitol grounds and thereafter he walked up the steps where he was arrested."

"This is the kind of courage necessary to inspire others," Green said.

U.S. Capitol Police confirmed Watson’s arrest in a statement to Newsweek early Thursday.

“It is generally against the law for the public to demonstrate on the House steps unless they are with a member of Congress,” a Capitol Police spokesperson wrote in an email. “Yesterday afternoon, a man was escorted to the House steps by a member of Congress. When the member of Congress left the area, our officers gave the man lawful orders to stop the illegal demonstration or he would be arrested.”

Watson was arrested for crowding, obstructing and incommoding after refusing “lawful orders,” authorities said.

“It is important to note that there are plenty of other spots on Capitol grounds where demonstrating is allowed,” the spokesperson said.

John Bonifaz, the president and co-founder of Free Speech For People, praised Watson in a press release, writing: "His willingness to risk his own freedom stands in stark contrast to those who continue to look away as President Trump commits unprecedented abuses of power."

Newsweek contacted the White House for comment via email outside of normal working hours.

In video footage showing his arrest, Watson first calls for the impeachment of Trump and Vance and is then filmed walking up the steps of the Capitol, where he stood holding a placard that read "Impeach Convict Remove."

As he stands on the steps, voices can be heard out of the camera frame, cheering.

He then places the placard on the ground, puts his hands behind his back and is arrested. As he is being led away, the crowd cheers and chants: "Who do you serve?"

A press conference was held prior to the arrest and protest by Jessica Denson, founder of the Removal Coalition, which advocates for the constitutional removal of Trump and members of his administration. Video footage of this was livestreamed and shared to YouTube.

Denson introduced Watson and spoke about his military background.

“This man is a U.S. Air Force major. He is currently on leave from his commission post as a logistics readiness officer in Poland. He has spent much of 17 years in Europe, all over the globe, defending this country, working with NATO.”

Denson said that Watson had approached the Removal Coalition in February of this year and asked them to create the event for him.

Green did not speak at the conference but stood by Denson and Watson.

Watson addressed Green directly while speaking and said: “I’m not a Democrat and know next to nothing about his policies. I am here with him because Representative Green is the only member of Congress that has demonstrated the courage and conviction to invoke Rule 9 and force a vote on the articles of impeachment.”

In December of 2025, Green filed to impeach Trump, saying that he is “an abuser of presidential power who, if left in office, will continue to promote violence, engender invidious hate, undermine our democracy, and dissolve our Republic.”

The House voted to kill that impeachment resolution 237-140.

Prediction market Kalshi currently have odds of 64 percent that Trump will be impeached before January 2028.

The Removal Coalition states on its website that the movement is: “Explicit and united in our mission to constitutionally remove the illegal Trump administration from power, NOW.”

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat and Air Force veteran, praised Watson for his bravery in standing up to the Trump administration, and spoke to Newsweek of her frustration with her Republican colleagues for failing to use their power to do the same.

“It says a great deal about the conviction of Major Watson that he is willing to make this statement while in uniform," she said.

"He is undoubtedly aware of the consequences of his actions and is willing to sacrifice likely his career and possibly his freedom for his beliefs about this now twice-impeached President. I know he is not alone in his efforts to shine a light on this President and his administration’s unlawful behavior. I am enormously frustrated that my Republican House colleagues and the Speaker and Senate remain unwilling to recognize their authority to call for their resignations or removal. Indeed, they remain unwilling even to come to work at all.

"I am hopeful that in November the people of the United States will deliver the votes necessary to flip the House and the Senate to allow us the votes to again impeach this reckless and lawless President and his supporting cast, including Secretary Hegseth.”

Watson Speaks Out

In a pre-recorded interview with Denson conducted before his arrest, Watson explained his decision to take a stand was based on his belief that the Trump administration has violated the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court rulings.

“You could look at everything that this administration's doing and there is some kind of tie-in to it being unconstitutional or illegal or corrupt or violent against American people or people living in our country,” Watson said later in the 43-minute interview, which was posted on YouTube on Wednesday.

Watson, a father of two, is just three years away from retirement, Denson noted.

Earlier in the interview, he said while it is "dangerous" for any member of the military to "do something like he is doing" he "can afford to" because he's "just not important enough."

Later he said active duty members who "don't feel comfortable continuing to serve because of the nature of this administration" should "leave loudly… express your dissent on the way out the door."

U.S. Air Force Responds

Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Troy E. Meink, responded to the arrest of Watson in a Thursday evening post on X.

"I am aware of recent reports involving an Air Force officer protesting at the United States Capitol," he said in the statement. "Let me be clear: I expect every Airman and Guardian to comply with all laws and policies governing personal conduct, political participation, and the wear of the uniform. Americans place their trust in us. We cannot, and will not, compromise the trust of the Nation.

"Good order and discipline are critical to the DAF’s mission, and rigorously maintaining the highest standards of conduct on & off duty are an absolute must for all Airmen and Guardians. The Department takes allegations of misconduct seriously, including any that might undermine the nonpartisan nature of our military.

"Pursuant to a thorough investigation - which will proceed unimpeded - commanders will ensure appropriate disposition when holding service members accountable in accordance with military law and due process," he continued.

Watson's Decorated Military Career

An Air Force spokesperson told Newsweek that Major Watson that received more than a dozen medals or decorations during his 17-year career in the military.

Watson, who entered the Air Force on May 27, 2009, is currently on leave from his commission post as a logistics readiness officer in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

The majority of his military career has been spent in Europe and internationally, working with NATO to protect his country.

Awards:

• National Defense Service Medal
• Air Force Training Ribbon
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Boarder
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with device)
• Korean Defense Service Medal
• Air Forse Overseas Long Tour Ribbon (two awards)
• Meritorious Unit Award
• Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
• Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
• Air Force Longevity Service Award (five awards)
• Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon (three awards)

Decorations:

• Air Force Commendation Medal (three awards)
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal (two awards)
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Could Watson Be Removed From The Air Force After Arrest?

An arrest alone does not automatically result in a service member's removal from the Air Force. However, officers can face administrative separation or other disciplinary action if military authorities determine they violated service regulations or the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Any decision would depend on the facts of the case, the outcome of the civilian criminal proceedings, whether Air Force rules governing political activities were violated, and the officer's overall service record.

What Other Consequences Could He Face?

• Administrative counseling or reprimand. If the Air Force determines Major Watson violated service standards but the conduct does not warrant more severe action, he could receive a formal counseling, letter of reprimand, or other administrative measures.
• Administrative separation. The Air Force could initiate proceedings to involuntarily separate Watson from service if it concludes his conduct violated military regulations or demonstrated that he should no longer serve as a commissioned officer. This is the most likely mechanism by which an officer would be removed absent a court-martial.
• Action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). If military authorities determine his conduct violated the UCMJ, he could face nonjudicial punishment or, in more serious cases, a court-martial.
• Dismissal following a court-martial. If Watson were convicted by a court-martial of an offense warranting the punishment, he could receive a dismissal—the officer equivalent of a dishonorable discharge. This is distinct from administrative separation and is not imposed simply because someone is arrested.

Factors the Air Force Would Consider

• The outcome of the civilian case. An arrest alone does not automatically result in removal from the Air Force. The service would consider whether charges are dismissed, whether Watson is convicted, and the nature of any offense.
• Whether military regulations were violated. The Air Force would examine whether Watson's conduct violated Department of Defense or Air Force rules governing political activities by active-duty service members.
• The circumstances of the protest. Officials would likely consider whether Watson was on duty or off duty, the fact he was in uniform, whether he identified himself as an Air Force officer, and whether his actions could reasonably be interpreted as representing the military.
• The seriousness of the conduct. The Air Force would assess the nature of the alleged misconduct, including the offense for which he was arrested and whether it affected good order, discipline, or public confidence in the service.
• His service record. Watson's prior performance evaluations, disciplinary history, years of service, and overall record would typically be considered when determining an appropriate response.
• The administrative review process. Because Watson is a commissioned officer, any involuntary separation would ordinarily follow established legal and administrative procedures, which may include review by a Board of Inquiry, rather than occurring automatically after an arrest.