Washington, D.C. — On September 18, 2026 – an Article 32 preliminary hearing in the case of United States v. Major Jason P. Watson was held at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. The matter now rests with the preliminary hearing officer, whose written report and recommendation remain pending. The defense anticipates receiving that report sometime next week.
During the hearing, Major Watson read a statement to the hearing officer. In that statement, Major Watson said “I did not swear that oath as a military officer, and I did not swear it to any administration, any party, or any person,” he said. “I swore it, as every service member does, to the Constitution of the United States — to support and defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
Defense counsel Christopher J. Mutimer, joined by Special Counsel Lorena M. Marez, Major Bruha and attorney Collin Harris, presented closing argument on Major Watson’s behalf. Counsel argued that there is no probable cause to support the speech-related charges, and that even if any charge proceeds, the matter belongs at a special court-martial rather than a general court-martial.
An Article 32 preliminary hearing is an early step in the military justice process, at which a neutral hearing officer reviews the charges and recommends how the case should proceed. Major Watson is presumed innocent, and no charges have been proven.
Major Watson’s unsworn statement and the defense closing argument are available here:
Download the Unsworn Statement of Major Jason P. Watson USAF
Download the Defense Closing Argument
About Monument Legal
Headquartered in Washington, DC, Monument Legal handles criminal defense, federal defense, and personal injury matters in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Lansing, Michigan. Founded in 2024 by Christopher J. Mutimer and Jay P. Mykytiuk, the firm represents clients in state and federal courts across all three markets.