The Cost of Keeping an Oath

On the steps of the Capitol, Major Jason Paul Watson kept his oath to defend the Constitution

Major Jason Paul Watson swore an oath twenty years ago:

“I, Jason Paul Watson, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”

On July 1, he kept it.

His dress blues shone in stark contrast to the gleaming pillars and arches of the Capitol building. Activists and Rep. Al Green formed a half moon behind him, holding signs that read, “Congress, this is on you” and “Remove the regime.”

When the crowd of reporters, organizers, and protesters stilled, he spoke. He began poignantly. “In the grand scheme of things, I’m just a nobody. What matters far more than who I am is what I have to say, and the price I am willing to pay to say it.”

And a price he will pay. To protest in uniform is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. To protest on the steps of the Capitol—while calling for the impeachment of a would-be king—is a risk that will come at the price of his career and freedom. If the sentences of the Prairieland 8 and the indictments of the Minneapolis 15 are any indicator, the gavel will fall on Maj. Watson. He will be made an example of, which, ironically, is the point.

The reason he stood that day was not to rebel, but to compel. In every movement, there must be a first. In this moment, Maj. Watson is leading the way, or so he hopes.

Between the lines of his speech, you can read his love for his country, its people, and those beyond our borders. He remembered the fallen on our soil—Good and Pretti. He recalled the lives lost abroad—the deaths in Venezuela and Iran, and the 500,000 who died after USAID was shuttered. He honored those who have died in combat. He condemned the vilification of the men tortured in CECOT. He remembered.

After he spoke, he climbed the steps of the Capitol. In his hand, he held a sign. Its white letters spelled out the refrain he repeated throughout his speech: “Impeach. Convict. Remove.” Supporters cheered. They shouted, “Thank you!”

Within minutes, he was approached by Capitol Police. He did not resist. They cuffed him and led him away.

Days earlier, Maj. Watson filmed an interview with Lights On with Jessica Denson. During their conversation, he addressed the oath he took twenty years prior. It is that oath—not a political ideology or party—that motivated him to take a stand.

During the interview, he added this, “The moment he does something that is brazenly unconstitutional, I would argue that he is no longer somebody that you owe your allegiance to. That is the whole point of the oath—that we don’t swear an oath to a president.”

The oath our military takes is to the Constitution, not a person. It’s to an idea put to pen and paper—the idea that all of us are created equal and entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And when that idea is attacked, by enemies foreign or domestic, whether they sit in a fighter jet or the Oval Office, then it must be defended. He swore to that, as has every member of our military.

On July 1, Maj. Watson kept that oath. He stood.. And I hope he will not stand alone.

---

For more stories of resistance, subscribe.

---

As of the publication of this article, $211,000 has been raised for his defense. Though the Washington, D.C., police have elected not to press charges, he has been confined by the Air Force to his base and is under a gag order. He will likely face a court-martial for violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Jessica Denson is in contact with his attorney, and I would encourage people to follow her for updates.

YOU CAN DONATE HERE. This link was provided by Jessica Denson with The Removal Coalition.

Across the country, on July 4, there are nearly 500 protests. Join one tomorrow or this week. FIND ONE.