An Air Force major was arrested on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on July 2, 2026, after publicly calling for the impeachment of President Trump and Vice President Vance. Maj. Jason P. Watson spoke to bystanders, criticizing the President’s military actions against Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran as unconstitutional and a violation of the War Powers Clause. He also condemned the Trump administration’s policies related to the Department of Government Efficiency and the Department of Homeland Security, citing deaths and injuries of service members and U.S. citizens.

Peaceful demonstrations are allowed on Capitol grounds, but protesters must remain alongside a member of Congress to speak openly from the steps. After the lawmaker accompanying Watson exited, Capitol Police directed Watson to leave the steps or face arrest. He was subsequently arrested for crowding, obstructing, and incommoding.

Watson told bystanders, “When the President of the United States orders military action against foreign countries, absent an emergency scenario where American interests are under imminent dire threats, as was done with Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran, that’s an unconstitutional usurpation of Congress’s authority and a violation of the War Powers Clause.” He added that these violations resulted in the deaths of 13 service members and injuries to hundreds more.

He also highlighted grievances involving mass deportation efforts and the killings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by immigration authorities, stating that the President and Vice President must be impeached, convicted, and removed.

According to Capitol Police, Watson’s arrest was due to his refusal to leave the Capitol steps after the accompanying lawmaker departed. The incident follows earlier disruptions involving a Texas lawmaker who was removed from the chamber during President Trump’s joint address to Congress and State of the Union speech earlier in the year.

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