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Air Force Maj. Jason Watson was arrested July 1 on the steps of the US Capitol after calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. According to his lawyer, he’s now being held in solitary confinement 24 hours a day in what some legal experts say could amount to illegal pretrial punishment.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) contains provisions barring officers from engaging in public political activities that are typically protected for civilians, including criticizing the president and other elected officials.

Prosecutors have charged Watson with violating them when he participated in a news conference calling for Trump to be removed from office over his launching of military actions against Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela without congressional authorization.

After the speech, Watson stood on the Capitol steps holding a sign that read “Impeach, Convict, Remove” and was arrested after he refused to move.

Before he was charged, Watson gave a CNN interview on August 17 in which he continued to criticize Trump, accusing him of “flagrantly violating the Constitution” and “breaking the law.”

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He acknowledged that he could face severe consequences as a result of his speech: “We just have to be willing to accept that we can change what is happening in our country if we are just willing to pay a price for it,” he said.

One day later, he was arrested while on duty and taken into pretrial confinement. He now faces a general court-martial, the military’s most severe trial, which is capable of imposing lengthy prison sentences.

“Cruel and unusual form of punishment.” U.S. Air Force Maj. Jason Watson is headed to the most severe form of military trial — a general court-martial — after calling for President Trump’s impeachment while in uniform at the U.S. Capitol. His attorney reveals that Maj. Watson… pic.twitter.com/7izEA47Gh2— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) October 10, 2026

“Cruel and unusual form of........

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