BS BULLETIN:
- Air Force Maj. Jason Watson faces charges under three articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including a rarely used prohibition on officers making contemptuous remarks about the president.
- Watson protested Trump in uniform on the Capitol steps and later blasted him again on CNN.
- The Air Force says Watson remains in pretrial confinement and is presumed innocent.
There is free speech. And then there is joining the United States military, putting on the uniform, standing on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and publicly demanding that your commander in chief be impeached, convicted and removed.
Air Force Maj. Jason Watson is discovering the difference.
The Air Force confirmed Tuesday that Watson has been charged under three articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice after repeatedly speaking out against President Donald Trump while serving on active duty.
Stars and Stripes reports that Watson faces 10 specifications in all: three under Article 88 for alleged contempt toward officials, five under Article 92 involving alleged dereliction or failure to obey regulations and orders, and two under Article 133 for alleged conduct unbecoming an officer.
Article 88 is the eye-catcher.
It specifically prohibits commissioned officers from using contemptuous words against the president, vice president, Congress and certain other officials. It is rarely prosecuted, but unlike most Americans, commissioned military officers operate under the UCMJ and accept restrictions on political activity that don’t apply to civilians.
And Watson wasn’t exactly whispering his opinions to a buddy over dinner.
On July 1, the active-duty major appeared in his Air Force uniform at a Capitol Hill press conference and called for Trump and Vice President JD Vance to be removed from office. He then stood on the House steps holding a sign reading: “IMPEACH CONVICT REMOVE.”
Rep. Al Green, the Texas Democrat with considerable experience in the Trump-impeachment department, initially accompanied Watson to the steps. After Green left, Capitol Police repeatedly instructed Watson to stop demonstrating there. Watson refused and was arrested. Civilian charges from that incident were later dropped.
But Watson’s troubles with the Air Force were only beginning.
The service began investigating whether his political activity violated military law and regulations designed to preserve the armed forces’ nonpartisan status. Then Watson went on CNN on Aug. 17 and did it again. “What is happening with President Trump is not normal,” Watson said. He called Trump a “failure as president” and accused him of “flagrantly violating the Constitution,” breaking the law, engaging in “rampant corruption” and “killing Americans.”
According to Watson’s attorney, Christopher Mutimer, the Article 88 allegations involve statements Watson made in a June interview, his July Capitol protest and that August CNN appearance. Other allegations include improperly participating in partisan political activity, wearing his uniform at the Capitol event, violating leave regulations and refusing to wear his uniform to work following the CNN interview.
Watson has served in the Air Force for 17 years and is an Air Force Academy graduate. His attorney says he knew exactly what he was risking by speaking out. “Major Watson acted knowing the risks to his career and his liberty,” Mutimer said Tuesday, adding that he hopes other Americans will draw courage from Watson’s decision to stand by his convictions.
The Air Force sees another principle at stake: keeping the United States military out of partisan politics.
Watson remains in pretrial confinement while the charges and evidence are reviewed to determine whether the case should proceed to court-martial. The Air Force emphasized that Watson is presumed innocent and entitled to due process.
Watson hasn’t been convicted of anything. Whether his statements meet the legal requirements for the unusual Article 88 charge and whether the other allegations can be proven will be decided through the military justice system.
But the larger issue here shouldn’t be particularly difficult.
Members of America’s armed forces are citizens. They don’t surrender every constitutional right when they take an oath. They do, however, accept rules the rest of us don’t live under — including restrictions designed to prevent America’s military from becoming another partisan political institution.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- The Hill — Air Force officer charged after Trump Capitol protest
- Reuters — U.S. military officer who called for Trump impeachment faces three charges
- Stars and Stripes — Air Force major faces spate of charges after calling for Trump’s impeachment
- Washington Examiner — Air Force major faces charges after protesting Iran war while in uniform
- Military Times — Air Force major arrested on Capitol steps during protest calling for Trump impeachment
