An active-duty Air Force major who staged a uniformed protest calling for the removal of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance has been detained for a second time.
Maj. Jason Watson was placed in pretrial confinement Tuesday, Aug. 18, as the Air Force continues investigating his conduct, a service spokesperson confirmed to The Hill.
“Based on probable cause to support allegations of continued misconduct,” Watson was ordered into confinement, the spokesperson said. The Air Force emphasized that Watson is presumed innocent and entitled to a review under military court rules.
Watson had not been formally charged as of Wednesday evening. He was reportedly being held at a county detention facility in Maryland under a military hold.
The latest detention came one day after Watson appeared for an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett and renewed his criticism of Trump.
Attorney Expects Military Charges
Watson’s attorney, Christopher Mutimer, said the major was arrested while reporting for duty Tuesday.
According to Mutimer, Watson informed his chain of command through counsel that he would no longer wear his uniform. He was then ordered to put the uniform on and was taken into custody roughly 20 minutes later, the attorney told CNN.
“He expected to be arrested,” Mutimer said.
The defense expects that Watson could face allegations under Article 88 and Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Article 88 prohibits commissioned officers from using contemptuous words against the president, vice president, Congress and certain other senior officials. Article 92 covers violations of lawful general orders or regulations and failures to obey other lawful orders.
Mutimer stressed that those were anticipated charges rather than charges that had already been filed. Depending on how the case proceeds, Watson could face confinement, loss of pay or dismissal from the Air Force.
A review of Watson’s continued confinement was scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20.
Arrested on the Capitol Steps
The military case follows Watson’s July 1 arrest during a protest on the House steps at the U.S. Capitol.
Watson, wearing his Air Force service uniform, held a sign reading “Impeach Convict Remove” after delivering a speech calling for Trump and Vance to be removed from office. His objections included the administration’s military actions involving Venezuela, Cuba and Iran.
Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, initially accompanied Watson onto the House steps. Green subsequently left, leaving Watson alone in an area where members of the public generally may not demonstrate unless accompanied by a member of Congress.
Capitol Police said officers ordered Watson to stop the demonstration or face arrest. He refused to leave, placed his sign on the ground and was taken into custody for alleged crowding, obstructing and incommoding, according to Military Times.
The D.C. Office of the Attorney General later dropped the civilian charge. Watson was not immediately released, however. Air Force investigators took custody of him and brought him to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington.
The Air Force subsequently restricted Watson to specified areas of the base while he performed military duties, Military Times reported.
At that stage, his attorney said investigators were considering possible violations involving contempt toward officials, failure to obey an order, conduct unbecoming an officer and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. No military charges had been filed at the time.
Political Activity Rules Under Scrutiny
Active-duty service members retain the right to vote and express personal political opinions, but military rules impose substantial restrictions on partisan activity and conduct that could suggest official military endorsement.
Defense Department Directive 1344.10 bars active-duty members from certain forms of partisan advocacy and directs them to refrain from political activity while in uniform. Violations of the directive may be prosecuted under Article 92.
Watson is a 40-year-old Air Force Academy graduate who entered active duty in May 2009. He has served as a logistics officer and was assigned as a staff officer in Bydgoszcz, Poland, before the Capitol protest, according to Stars and Stripes.
During his CNN interview Monday, Watson said he understood that his public stand could end his military career or lead to prosecution.
“What’s the highest price that I’m willing to pay?” Watson asked while explaining his decision.
The Air Force said Watson’s statements do not represent the views or policies of the service. His case remains under investigation.
