Air Force Maj. Jason Watson is arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on the steps of the U.S. Capitol during a Wednesday protest calling for the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Multiple outlets report that Watson is wearing a uniform and joins others after a news conference. Reports describe the demonstration as peaceful in nature, but say the arrest occurs after he protests on the House steps without remaining alongside a member of Congress, which Capitol grounds rules require for speaking openly from those steps.
NBC News and other coverage also describe the substance of Watson’s remarks, including criticism of Trump’s actions related to Iran and Venezuela and his immigration policies. The New York Times and other sources characterize the arrest as taking place during or after the protest activity following the news conference.
All accounts agree on the central points: Watson is an active-duty Air Force officer, he is arrested on Capitol steps by Capitol Police while calling for impeachment, and the arrest is linked to how he conducted or positioned himself relative to the member-of-Congress requirement for speaking from those areas.
