Active Duty Service Member Calls for Trump's Removal

Summary

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The Parnas Perspective — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Active Duty Service Member Calls for Trump's Removal
Host: Aaron Parnas
Date: July 1, 2026

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Overview

This episode of The Parnas Perspective covers a historic and highly charged political moment: for the first time ever, an active duty U.S. service member has publicly called for the impeachment and removal of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance—while in uniform, at the Capitol steps. Host Aaron Parnas unpacks the significance of this act of civil disobedience, explores its legal and cultural implications, and ties it to broader concerns about current federal policies, with particular attention to issues affecting public health, environmental regulation, and presidential conduct.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Protest by Major Jason Watson (Air Force)

• Details of the Event:

  • Major Jason Watson became the first active duty service member to publicly demand the removal of the sitting President and Vice President.
  • He did so in uniform at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, organized by Congressman Al Green and the "Removal Coalition."
  • Watson’s act violates military rules, risking arrest, court martial, and the end of his military career.
  • He was arrested by Capitol Police while holding a protest sign.

• Reasoning and Accusations:

  • Watson accused Trump and Vance of violating the War Powers Act by ordering strikes against Iran and Venezuela without congressional approval or any imminent threat to U.S. interests.
  • He cited deaths and injuries of U.S. service members in these unauthorized strikes.

• Quote (Spoken by Watson, recited by Aaron Parnas):

  "For the past 18 months, we the people have allowed the highest levels of the executive branch of the federal government to violate our Constitution and their oath to it with impunity."
  — [01:49]

• Aaron Parnas's Commentary:

  • Stresses the unprecedented nature of this protest:

    "We don't see this every day. In fact, I don't remember the last time we saw this against a president and a Vice president of the United States of America."
    — [03:54]

  • Describes Watson’s action as “heroic” and a unique act of civil disobedience.

• Current Status:

  • Watson was removed from the protest; further information on his condition or charges is unknown as of recording.

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2. Trump Administration’s Approach to Public Health and Environmental Regulation

• Drinking Water Safety:

  • Trump’s EPA has suspended monitoring for microplastics in drinking water for at least two years.
  • Seven state governors have petitioned to resume this monitoring, but so far, no action taken.
  • EPA will test only certain contaminants; microplastics omitted despite growing concerns.

• Quote:

  "Trump's EPA has axed monitoring for microplastics in the country's drinking water for two years... the UCMR 6 results will determine which contaminants the agency will limit in drinking water."
  — [04:34]

• Disease Resurgence:

  • Cuts to health programs by the Trump administration and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) are linked to a resurgence in preventable diseases.
  • New outbreaks:
    • Malaria: Federal health officials warn of returning malaria cases due to international aid cuts and CDC restructuring.
    • Flesh-eating bacteria: Vibrio vulnificus detected in Long Island and Florida. Climate change and reduced monitoring contribute to spread.
    • Screw worm: Affecting cattle across the U.S.

• Quote:

  "A new report from KFF Health has been released today outlining how there could be a resurgence in malaria in the United States of America... vulnerable to malaria returning as mosquitoes capable of spreading disease are widespread..."
  — [05:22] "Experts warn that warmer waters linked to climate change are helping the bacteria spread, while reduced federal surveillance and ocean monitoring could make outbreaks harder to track."
  — [06:02]

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3. Presidential Conduct & Priorities

• Use of Presidential Power:
  • Trump is shown prioritizing personal projects:
    • Toured East Potomac Golf Links, planning significant (and controversial) redevelopment—including cutting down the oldest grove of cherry trees in D.C.
• State Fair:
  • A near-empty state fair in D.C., possibly due to heat, symbolizing waning public enthusiasm.
• Vice President Vance’s Public Address:
  • Vance attempted a light-hearted jab at Joe Biden while speaking to service members, but the crowd remained unresponsive.
  • Quote (J.D. Vance):

    "If I did it one time [falling on the steps], it would be a major, major story. But let me just say to all of you, first of all, I'm so proud of you..."
    — [07:50]

  • Aaron’s Reaction:

    "No laughs, no applause. So that's J.D. vance for you right there."
    — [08:20]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Service Member's Protest:

  "He is doing this in his active duty Air Force garbage, the clothing that will get him in trouble because it is against the law to do so, according to military reports... But many say this act of civil disobedience is heroic."
  — Aaron Parnas [02:55]

• On Broader Implications:

  "One where accurate news takes hold over misinformation and disinformation... I rely on you to get it done."
  — Aaron Parnas [01:32]

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Important Timestamps

• [00:59–03:54]: Aaron recaps Major Watson’s protest and arrest, including motives and historical context.
• [04:34–06:23]: Detailed discussion of Trump administration’s changes to health and environmental policy (water safety, microplastics, disease reporting).
• [06:23–07:45]: Reports on flesh-eating bacteria and the screw worm outbreak.
• [07:29–08:20]: Clip and analysis of Vice President J.D. Vance’s speech to service members.
• [08:20–09:07]: Closing updates on Trump’s public appearances and state of public events.

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Tone and Style

Aaron Parnas’s reporting is urgent, fact-driven, and candid, with moments of personal reflection and commentary. His language reflects a clear concern for democracy, transparency, and public health, often positioning recent events as both alarming and historically significant. The episode maintains a brisk, no-nonsense delivery aimed at keeping listeners informed on complex legal and and political matters with lucidity.

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Transcript

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[Aaron Parnas]

see terms important Updates this afternoon, a United States Service member in the Air Force, the first ever active duty service member, has come out and called for the impeachment and the removal of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. vance. He was later arrested on Capitol steps and likely faced as possible court martial for doing so in military uniform on Capitol steps. Truly a historic moment. Never before have we seen active duty service members in this capacity calling for the removal of the Commander in Chief. In addition, there is a disease resurgence in the United States of America, in part due to cuts made by DOGE and by the President to critical health programs. The latest a bacteria that has a 1 in 5 a 20% mortality rate found in drinking water, or rather in water across multiple states. We have information on Mitch McConnell, we have information about Trump's bid to roll back drinking water protections and more. Make sure to like comment, share and as always, please consider subscribing to my substack link below to support my work. A lot of you ask why I do this every day and the reason is because I want to build a better future for my daughter and kids around the country. One where accurate news takes hold over misinformation and disinformation. And so if you can, please subscribe today. It really fuels our work. I know I ask a lot But I rely on you to get it done. So get it. So if you can subscribe below, I want to introduce you to this person. This is a United States Air Force major. His name is Jason Watson. He's actively risking his active duty military career to call for the public impeachment of Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. vance. Major Watson attended a press conference outside of the United States Capitol today. It was led by a coalition called the Removal Coalition, hosted by Congressman Al Green from Texas. Quote, for the past 18 months, Watson said, we the people have allowed the highest levels of the executive branch of the federal government to violate our Constitution and their oath to it with impunity. Watson enlisted in the air Force in 2005. He currently holds active duty status. He remains on leave from his post as a logistic ready readiness officer in Poland. He called on the impeachment of Trump and Vance due to their violations of the War Powers act by ordering military strikes against Iran and Venezuela without any imminent threat to U.S. interests or approval from Congress, saying, quote, these violations resulted in the deaths of 13 service members and injured hundreds more. Watson was then placed in handcuffs and he, while he was holding this sign at the Capitol, you can see him literally being arrested by Capitol Police. Mind you, he is doing this in his active duty Air Force garbage, the clothing that will get him in trouble because it is against the law to do so, according to military reports, and while he could very well face court martial, removal from the military and more. But many say this act of civil disobedience is heroic. Why? Because he becomes the first service member to speak out as an active duty service member. We don't see this every day. In fact, I don't remember the last time we saw this against a president and a Vice president of the United States of America. Watson was removed from the Capitol and we don't have any more information about him at this time. At the same time, today, we're learning more about Trump's attempts to make America healthy again. We have confirmation today that Trump's EPA has axed monitoring for microplastics in the country's drinking water for two years. In a new proposal for the agency's sixth unregulated containment monitoring rule, the EPA announced outlined 30 unregulated contaminants public water systems will track between 2028 and 2030. It includes various forever chemicals. It does not mention a plan to monitor microplastics. The UCMR 6 results will determine which contaminants the agency will limit in drinking water. Seven state governors have already petitioned the EPA to include microplastics monitoring, but it has not happened yet. And we talk about health. A new report from KFF Health has been released today outlining how there could be a resurgence in malaria in the United States of America after international malaria prevention programs were disrupted due to foreign aid freezes and USAID cuts, while CDC restructuring interrupted malaria research. And as a result, federal health officials recently warned the United States remains vulnerable to malaria returning as mosquitoes capable of spreading disease are widespread and locally acquired cases have already occurred in recent years. We also have flesh eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. Researchers have now detected that bacteria in coastal waters on Long island, and infections have already been reported in Florida. Experts warn that warmer waters linked to climate change are helping the bacteria spread, while reduced federal surveillance and ocean monitoring could make outbreaks harder to track. And then, as you all know, we do have the screw worm, the flesh eating screw worm, which is impacting cattle across the United States right now. And when we talk about the president's priorities, here they are. Trump today toured the East Potomac Golf Links. Over the weekend toured the East Potomac Golf Links golf course. He carried out detailed plans showing a far more extensive redevelopment of the municipal golf course than federal officials had previously disclosed. The plans show that Trump's focused on cutting down the only grove of cherry trees in the area, the oldest grove in all of Washington, D.C. and when you talk about what Trump's state fair looks like, here's where we are. One person today was at the state fair for a period of time, dancing, having the time of his life. We went down from dozens of people, hundreds of people, to now just one or two people attending the state fair. Granted, it is a scorcher in Washington, D.C. today. It is very, very hot. But this is what the state fair looks like. And Vice President Vance was addressing our service members today. He tried to joke about Joe Biden and did not get the reaction. He thought, be here.

[J.D. Vance]

You know what I'm thinking as I'm coming down the steps is don't fall and bust your ass in front of all you and in front of all these cameras, because they would never let me live that one down. You know, the previous president. I'm trying to be nonpartisan. You ever seen these old cartoons where you've got the angel on the shoulder and the devil on the shoulder? Well, because I'm speaking to all of you, our great patriots and service members. I've got the angel on my shoulder saying, JD don't be partisan. We're gonna make this nonpartisan. And then I've got the devil on my shoulder. Who wants to talk about every time that Joe Biden fell up or down the stairs and the media didn't care about that. But if I did it one time, if I did it one time, it would be a major, major story. But let me just say to all of you, first of all, I'm so proud of you and I'm

[Aaron Parnas]

no laughs, no applause. So that's J.D. vance for you right there. Donald Trump is in the Dakotas today, North Dakota tomorrow he'll be at Rush Mountain, Rush, Mount Rushmore, giving a speech. And then we have the Fourth of July celebrations, which we will see how they go. But ultimately the White House is concerned about the possibility that not enough people are going to be able to essentially attend, given the heat and other issues. So that's all the news right now. As always, if you can subscribe to support my work, my substack link below. Some of you have asked how you can do one time donations. You can Venmo Aaron Parnas I'll have more updates for you either later tonight or tomorrow morning. Like comment, share and yeah, I'll see you soon. Stay tuned.

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