A view of the US Capitol steps along the North Wing. A US Air Force major protested the Trump administration while in uniform, and is now in custody pending a court-martial. (Shutterstock/Kosoff)

An Air Force Officer Protested Trump in Uniform—Here’s Why You Can’t Do That

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US military regulations restrict certain types of speech while in the armed forces—and explicitly prohibit political activity while in uniform, a prohibition Major Jason Watson ignored.

Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has become a prominent critic of President Donald Trump, frequently clashing with the administration over military policy, national security, and democratic norms. As a retired US Navy officer and combat pilot, he has also criticized Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over his handling of classified materials and on issues of military accountability, operational security, and constitutional rights.

As a former naval officer who retired from the military in 2011, Kelly is well within his rights to express his opinions.

The situation is somewhat different, however, with US Air Force Major Jason Watson, who has twice called for Trump’s impeachment publicly on the steps of the United States Capitol. Watson is an active-duty servicemember, and made matters worse for himself as he protested while wearing his uniform.

The Air Force has charged Watson with 10 offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the laws........

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