U. S.
Capitol Police arrested an active-duty Air Force major on Wednesday afternoon after he staged a solo uniform protest on the House steps calling for the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump.
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Authorities took Maj. Jason Watson into custody at approximately 1:15 p.
m.
local time on charges of crowding, obstructing, and incommoding, according to statements from the Capitol Police reported by Military Times and NBC News.
Official regulations generally prohibit the public from demonstrating on the House steps unless accompanied by a member of Congress, though protesting remains legal in other designated areas of the Capitol grounds.
Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat, initially escorted Watson halfway up the steps to a chained railing where the major held a sign reading "Impeach Convict Remove."
Capitol Police officers gave lawful orders to stop the illegal demonstration once the lawmaker departed the immediate area, but the officer refused to comply before being peacefully detained.
Prior to the demonstration on the steps, Watson spoke at a press conference organized by the Removal Coalition alongside Green, constitutional lawyer Bruce Fein, and several veteran organizations.
"I’m here with him because Rep. Green is the only member of Congress that has demonstrated the courage and conviction to ...
force a vote on articles of impeachment," said Watson during the press event.
The major clarified that he is not a Democrat and does not share policy positions with Green, who lost his re-election bid earlier this year.
