WASHINGTON — Military officials placed Air Force Major Jason Watson into pretrial confinement Tuesday following allegations of continued misconduct, weeks after his high-profile arrest at the US Capitol.
The military action came just one day after Watson appeared in a televised interview to demand the removal of President Donald Trump.
Watson remains held at a county facility in Maryland under a military hold. Air Force officials pointed to regulatory standards in a public statement following his arrest.
”Military members are required to comply with the Uniform Code of Military Justice and all applicable regulations,” the Air Force spokesperson said in a statement. “Based on probable cause to support allegations of continued misconduct, Maj. Watson was ordered into pretrial confinement on Aug. 18, 2026. Maj. Watson is presumed innocent and will be afforded all rights under Rule for Courts-Martial 305 as his pretrial confinement is reviewed.”
The Air Force did not detail the specific allegations of misconduct. His attorney, Chris Mutimer, noted he had not yet spoken with his client but suspected the recent television appearance triggered the detention.
Public criticism of sitting leaders by active-duty troops is rare. Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice strictly outlaws contemptuous words against top government officials.
”Maj. Watson’s personal statements do not reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Air Force,” the agency spokesperson said in the statement Wednesday.
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The current detention follows an earlier July 1 arrest on the steps of the US Capitol, where Watson spoke out in full uniform against the administration. Capitol Police noted that public demonstrations on House steps require a congressional escort. While a lawmaker escorted Watson to the area, the member left before the speech began.
Military rules prohibit wearing uniforms during political events. Watson had not faced formal charges for the Capitol incident prior to his recent arrest.
During a Monday broadcast with CNN’s Erin Burnett, Watson repeated his calls to impeach the president and Vice President JD Vance.
”What is happening with President Trump is not normal. He has failed us,” Watson said. “And not only is he a failure as president, he is flagrantly violating the Constitution, breaking the law, engaged in rampant corruption and is killing Americans. And that is unacceptable to me and it should be unacceptable to all of us.”
Watson acknowledged the potential consequences of his public statements during the broadcast.
”We just have to be willing to accept that we can change what is happening in our country if we’re just willing to pay a price for it,” Watson said. “So all that I could do was ask myself what’s the highest price that I’m willing to pay. And this is what I ultimately came up with.”
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