Defender of Our Republic

Major Jason Watson Deserves an Honest Accounting

Weeks ago, I spoke directly with Major Jason Watson regarding his planned act of civil disobedience.

Before anything else, I was very clear with Major Jason Watson about what I would and would not do. I told him I was not there to endorse every tactic, become part of his strategy, or serve as a spokesperson on his behalf. What I could do, and what I promised to do, was provide an honest accounting of his record, his service, and his character.

We have seen time and time again how the right and this administration vilify people, strip away context, and replace truth with lies before the public ever hears the full story. I told him it was important that the record of his service and character be public facing. I would help by focusing on the evidence, the documents, and the truth of who he actually is.

I asked for documentation of his record. He provided his performance evaluations, awards, service history, educational records and report cards, written statements, and explanations regarding his actions and beliefs. I want to be clear, no classified information was exchanged.

My purpose was simple. I wanted to know whether this was a man acting from conscience or someone chasing attention, influence, money, or political power.

I found no evidence of the latter.

What I found was a career Air Force officer with nearly seventeen years of service, deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, NATO leadership experience, command responsibilities, and a long record of trust earned from both peers and superiors. A man who understood exactly what he stood to lose. And he was willing to lose it anyway.

I also do not hear enough people discussing the broader constitutional strategy behind his message. I know this because I asked him directly about his motive, and I think it’s important that people understand what he was actually trying to communicate.

The sign he carried, “Impeach. Convict. Remove.”, was not solely about Donald Trump. His argument extends to the entire executive branch.

In his view, if Democrats regain control of the House, Congress should use the constitutional mechanisms already available to impeach, convict, and remove both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Under the line of succession, that would elevate a Democratic Speaker of the House to the presidency.

People can debate whether that outcome is politically achievable. That’s fair. But dismissing his position as simple anti-Trump protest misses what he is actually proposing. It is a constitutional strategy rooted in succession, accountability, and democratic institutions rather than violence or extra-legal action.

Whether one agrees with it or not, it deserves to be understood on its own terms.

After speaking with him, reviewing our text exchanges, and examining the documentation he provided, I found no evidence of violent ideology, extremist affiliations, threats, hatred, or advocacy of harm. I found no evidence of financial motives, ambitions for political office, or any effort to build a brand, sell a movement, or seek personal enrichment. I found no disciplinary problems, misconduct, or a troubled military record.

His evaluations consistently describe him as a trusted leader, an effective planner, and a high-performing officer recommended for greater responsibility and advanced opportunities. The people who supervised him believed in him. The military entrusted him with increasingly significant assignments.

He served in Alaska, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Arizona, Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, the Netherlands, and Poland. He helped lead large-scale logistics operations supporting both the United States Air Force and NATO.

The central question, of course, remains his decision to engage in civil disobedience. I think it is important to recognize what made that decision extraordinary. Watson intended to do it in uniform. Not anonymously. Not after retirement. Not with nothing left to lose. He made what he understood to be a career-ending choice because he believed his oath to defend the Constitution demanded it.

Military officers carry additional obligations and restrictions. The consequences are serious, and career-ending. Jason Watson knew that. He has never pretended otherwise.

In fact, one of the things that stood out to me most was his transparency. He answered difficult questions directly. He acknowledged the risks. He made no claims of immunity from consequences. He was fully prepared to accept whatever comes next.

There is a profound difference between someone attempting to escape accountability and someone willingly accepting it because they believe conscience demands action.

Officer Watson knew exactly what was ahead. He sacrificed his military career to take what he believes is a necessary stand in defense of democracy and constitutional government. That’s bravery. Authoritarian movements depend on obedience. Democracies survive because some people are willing to risk it all to resist.

People will disagree with his methods. Some already do. Others will attempt to portray him as something he is not.

Major Jason Watson is a public servant who spent nearly two decades serving his country and who believes that same duty requires him to speak and act.

Whether history ultimately judges him as right or wrong is a separate question. But honesty requires us to recognize what the evidence actually shows. And the evidence shows a thoughtful, accomplished, principled officer acting from conscience rather than ambition.

My position remains straightforward: stay informed, keep asking questions, and resist the temptation to endorse every tactic without scrutiny. At the same time, we should be prepared to defend the truth about Major Jason Watson, his service, and his record if others attempt to distort the facts or mischaracterize who he is.

Patriotism that only works with obedience is not patriotism.

Democracy requires citizens, and sometimes public servants, willing to risk something for principles larger than themselves.

Major Jason Watson understood the cost. And he chose to pay it anyway.

“Success is not based solely on achieving this outcome. Success looks like hope. Inspiring hope again. We have so little of it right now. We need everyday heroes and patriots to step up and do their part. Success looks like me being but one of many. An unstoppable wave that refuses to relent until we restore some semblance of a democratic republic again, headed towards improving the lives of Americans and people around the world once more versus our current trajectory into destitution and destruction.” Major Jason Watson