Air Force Major Is Charged With 10 Counts, Including Rare 'Contempt' Charges, for Calling on Congress to Impeach Trump

The Air Force confirmed this week that Maj. Jason Watson has been charged with 10 counts under the Uniform Code of Military Justice: three specifications under Article 88, which bars officers from using "contemptuous words" against the president, vice president or Congress; five under Article 92; and two under Article 133. Watson, 40, a 17-year officer, was arrested by Capitol Police on July 1 after appearing in uniform on the Capitol steps with a sign reading "Impeach. Convict. Remove." He was arrested again Aug. 17 and ordered into pretrial confinement.

Article 88 is seldom invoked, and prosecutors must show the words were contemptuous rather than merely critical. Attorney Chris Mutimer told CNN that Watson is the first major in the history of the military to face the charge. Service members have narrower speech rights than civilians, and the case tests where that line falls when the criticism is aimed at the commander in chief.

Preferral of charges is not a referral to trial. A preliminary hearing would assess probable cause, and the commander of the Air Force District of Washington would decide whether to convene a general court-martial. The Air Force said Watson is presumed innocent.