US Capitol Police arrested an active-duty Air Force major on Wednesday after he delivered a speech demanding the impeachment of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Major Jason Watson was taken into custody following his address at a news conference organized by the activist group Removal Coalition on the steps of the US Capitol.
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Wearing his military uniform, Watson identified himself as an active-duty service member during the demonstration, which was also attended by Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas.
Authorities said public demonstrations on the House steps are prohibited unless participants are accompanied by a member of Congress.
A lawmaker initially escorted Watson but left before police ordered the area cleared.
“The man refused our lawful orders and was then arrested for 22-1307 Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding,” US Capitol Police stated, noting that demonstrations are allowed in other designated areas of the Capitol grounds.
In a video posted by Removal Coalition, Watson criticized the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and military actions in Iran and Venezuela, claiming they violated constitutional provisions.
“For this, the president and vice president must be impeached, convicted, and removed,” Watson said.
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The activist group said Watson was fully aware of the legal and disciplinary risks.
Active-duty personnel face strict limits on political activity and uniform use under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“We started having conversations and took this desire that he had to come out very seriously and thought about the best way to make his sacrifice worth it,” said Jessica Denson, founder of Removal Coalition.
Representative Al Green later posted a video on social media expressing support for Watson’s protest.
“I just left the Capitol grounds, and I was there to witness a major in the United States military bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice,” Green said.
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A DC superior court official later told CNN that Watson is being released and that no case will be filed at this time.
