An active-duty Air Force major was arrested Wednesday on the steps of the U.S. Capitol after calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, according to Capitol Police and confirmed by The Hill.
Maj. Jason P. Watson delivered remarks on the Capitol steps alongside Rep. Al Green (D-TX), a Democrat previously removed from the House floor during two of Trump’s congressional addresses. When Green departed the steps, Watson stayed behind.
Capitol Police told Watson he needed to leave the steps or face arrest. He refused. Officers then took him into custody on charges of crowding, obstructing and incommoding.
“When the President of the United States orders military action against foreign countries, absent an emergency scenario where American interests are under imminent dire threats, as was done with Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran, that’s an unconstitutional usurpation of Congress’s authority and a violation of the War Powers Clause,” Watson told bystanders before his arrest.
“These violations resulted in the deaths of 13 service members and injuries of hundreds more. For this, the President and Vice President must be impeached, convicted, and removed,” he added.
Watson also cited the Department of Government Efficiency, mass deportations, and separate incidents involving immigration enforcement agents in his list of grievances against the administration.
Peaceful protests are permitted on Capitol grounds, but speakers must remain alongside a member of Congress to address crowds from the steps themselves. Once Green left, Watson no longer had that protection under Capitol rules.
Green, who lost his own Democratic primary in May, praised Watson in a follow-up video. “This is the kind of courage necessary to inspire others to understand that liberty and justice for all that we pledge allegiance to is something that we can make real,” Green said.
Watson now faces potential consequences far beyond a misdemeanor arrest. As an active-duty officer, he could face court-martial proceedings or disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which generally prohibits conduct unbecoming an officer as well as public political activity by service members.
The Pentagon has not yet issued a statement on Watson’s arrest or his military status. The Air Force has not commented publicly.
