The US Air Force said on January 21 that it is seeking to prosecute Major Jason Watson, an active-duty officer, for publicly calling for the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance over the US-Israel war against Iran.
Watson's lawyer, Christopher Mutimer, said: "Major Watson acted with full knowledge of the risks to his career and his freedom. I hope that other Americans feeling helpless at this moment will draw some courage from his willingness to speak out and stand by his beliefs."
Watson, an active-duty officer, was arrested by police in July while in uniform on the steps of the Capitol, where he joined a protest with a banner calling for the removal of Trump and Vance. The protest was attended by US lawmakers and organized by activists from the Removal Coalition. The group has called Watson "the first active-duty officer in the military to call for impeachment and removal of Trump."
Earlier this month, Watson appeared on CNN and repeated his call for the removal of Trump, who as president is commander-in-chief of the military.
"What's happening with President Trump is not normal. He has let us down," Watson said. "Not only a failed president, he is openly violating the Constitution, breaking the law, rampant corruption, and killing Americans. That is unacceptable to me, and it should be unacceptable to all of us."
On January 21, Watson's lawyer announced he will face charges under three articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including Article 88 - a rarely used provision that accuses him of using "contemptuous words against the President, Vice President, Congress."
The US Air Force confirmed Watson has been charged and said he will remain in pretrial confinement, while being afforded due process rights.
