As Twitchy reported, back on July 1, Capitol Police arrested active-duty U.S. Air Force Major Jason Watson after he set up a podium on the Capitol steps and called for the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance — while in uniform. Supporters called it "an unprecedented act of dissent" and said that "his arrest marks a historic moment." Within a day, they'd set up a fundraiser for their hero: "Help support Major Jason Watson’s heroic act of civil disobedience on 7/1 at the US Capitol calling on Congress to IMPEACH, CONVICT, and REMOVE the tyrannical government." As of today, the fundraiser has raised $343,805 of its $350,000 goal.
On Monday, Watson was charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice with contempt toward officials, failure to obey regulations, and conduct unbecoming of an officer. We don't like to give the Krassensteins too much oxygen, but Brian thought the charges were the work of a dictator:
BREAKING: Maj. Jason Watson has just been charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for three violations of Article 88 for “contemptuous” remarks about Trump.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) August 25, 2026
Yes, you heard that right. He was just charged for calling for Trump’s impeachment.
A president who has… pic.twitter.com/I0k90c3gpa
The post continues:
… service members arrested for speaking out against the president, isn’t a president. They are a dictator.
The president didn't have him arrested or charged. He probably doesn't even know about it.
You're an idiot. This would have been the outcome no matter who's the president.
— Smells Like Teen Statism (@BlueEightySix) August 25, 2026
It has nothing to do with Trump personally, dummy
— Max cramer (@Maxcramer120) August 25, 2026
He broke Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice pic.twitter.com/lTDTwb8OMB
Now do Stuart Scheller Jr. He was a Lt Col in the Marines that openly criticized Joe Biden for the Kabul bombing that killed 13 American soldiers. He lost his rank and was court martialed pic.twitter.com/5glXVJoLMz
— Thomas Blunt Gen❌ (@MistedTwister) August 25, 2026
Tell us you’ve never served without telling us you’ve never served…
— Eric (@Unite_80) August 25, 2026
Article 88 is part of the original UCMJ from 1950 and specifically bars commissioned officers from contemptuous language toward the President.
Those of us who have served know you can’t do that.
Watson knew exactly what he was doing. This wasn't a spontaneous thing. He'd set up a podium and microphone.
You are ignorant of military law. Trump did not have this guy arrested. His command did. Your opinion is not yours when you are in the military. You give up your right to free speech in the military. Trump probably heard about this as soon as we did.
— Kenney (@KenneyITRW) August 25, 2026
The president didn’t arrest him. His superiors did. It’s called Chain of Command. Read the Uniform Code of Military Justice before making biased and idiotic statements.
— Joe Aycock (@JoeAycock5) August 25, 2026
It's against the UCMJ for service members and especially officers to make contemptuous remarks about high government officials. If you want to do this, leave the all volunteer force. It's always been this way.
— LB for America (@LawrenceFo56660) August 25, 2026
You know nothing about the military and it shows.
— John - Marine Patriot (@6531_Marine) August 25, 2026
A dweeb like you has never served a day. Accordingly, no one is expecting any understanding applicable to UCMJ. He knew exactly what the consequences were beforehand. Don't expect anyone to feel sorry for him now.
— KJofTikTok (@TheKJofTikTok) August 25, 2026
Every once in a while I read your commentary to see just how stupid one person can be. You never disappoint. Under UCMJ this is quite literally as illegal as it gets.
— Francisco d'Anconia (@EO18971) August 25, 2026
Of course, CNN's Erin Burnett picked up on the story:
🚨 BREAKING: US Airman Jason Watson has been hit with MULTIPLE criminal military charges after he called for President Trump to be impeached while in uniform at the US Capitol
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 25, 2026
He is now IN CUSTODY. FAFO!
The charges are:
- 3 violations of Article 88: Contempt Toward Officials
-… pic.twitter.com/MOd60eNQ8l
"Rare charges filed" … of course they're rare, because service members know what he did is illegal under the UCMJ. He knew he was going to get arrested for this stunt.
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