An airman was arrested on Wednesday during a protest on Capitol Hill calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.The airman, identified as Maj. Jason Watson, was charged with violating 22-1307, Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding. The advocacy group Removal Coalition organized the press conference at which Watson appeared and Rep. Al Green (D-TX) also attended.“For the past 18 months, we the people have allowed the highest levels of the executive branch of the federal government to violate our Constitution and their oath to it with impunity,” he said at the press conference.
Watson also referenced the deaths of the 13 servicemembers killed in combat during Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. war against Iran.HEGSETH PRAISES NATIONAL GUARD’S DC MISSION DESPITE ‘INGRATE’ PROTESTERS AND SWELTERING HEATA Capitol Police spokesperson confirmed Watson’s arrest, noting that there are spots on Capitol Grounds where demonstrating is permitted, but “it is generally against the law for the public to demonstrate on the House Steps unless they are with a Member of Congress.”“Yesterday afternoon, a man was escorted to the House Steps by a Member of Congress,” the spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “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. The man refused our lawful orders. Jason Watson was then arrested for 22-1307 Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding.”The Air Force did not respond to a request for comment.It is uncommon for active-duty servicemembers to publicly criticize political leaders, as the military is designed to be apolitical. Active-duty servicemembers are required to follow the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which criminalizes contemptuous comments about top officials under Article 88.COUPLE WHO CLIMBED EMPIRE STATE BUILDING FOR ENGAGEMENT OUT ON ‘SUPERVISED RELEASE’Green said in a video on social media that he was “there to witness a major in the United States military bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice.”The Texas Democratic lawmaker, serving his 11th term in the House, is known for introducing articles of impeachment against Trump unsuccessfully in both his first and second terms. He lost his primary in May.
