US Air Force Major Jason Watson Detained Again After Criticising Trump in CNN Interview

US Air Force Major Jason Watson, who was arrested last month after calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, has been detained again days after publicly criticising the president in a CNN interview.

Watson was ordered into pretrial confinement on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, according to a US Air Force spokesperson. He is currently being held at a county facility in Maryland under a military hold.

The Air Force said Watson’s detention followed probable cause supporting allegations of continued misconduct, although authorities have not disclosed the specific allegations against him.

“Based on probable cause to support allegations of continued misconduct, Maj. Watson was ordered into pretrial confinement on Aug. 18, 2026,” the spokesperson said.

The Air Force also stressed that Watson is presumed innocent and will be afforded his rights as his pretrial confinement is reviewed.

Watson’s attorney, Chris Mutimer, said he had not yet spoken with his client but suspected that the major’s recent appearance on CNN may have contributed to the decision to detain him.

Watson spoke with CNN’s Erin Burnett on Monday, where he strongly criticised Trump and repeated his call for the president to be impeached and removed from office.

“What is happening with President Trump is not normal. He has failed us,” Watson said.

He accused Trump of violating the US Constitution, breaking the law, engaging in corruption and “killing Americans,” saying such conduct should be unacceptable to the public.

Public political dissent by active-duty US military personnel is uncommon because service members are subject to military regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Article 88 of the code criminalises contemptuous words against certain senior US officials, including the president, vice president and members of Congress. The Air Force also distanced itself from Watson’s political statements.

“Maj. Watson’s personal statements do not reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Air Force,” the agency said.

Watson was previously arrested on July 1 on the steps of the US Capitol after delivering a speech calling for the impeachment and removal of Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

US Capitol Police said at the time that members of the public could not demonstrate on the steps of the House unless accompanied by a member of Congress.

Police said Watson had been escorted to the steps by a member of Congress, who subsequently left the area.

Watson was wearing his military uniform during the demonstration, despite military regulations prohibiting service members from wearing uniforms while participating in political activities.

However, he had not been charged at the time with an infraction specifically connected to the demonstration.

Speaking to CNN earlier this week, Watson acknowledged that his decision to publicly oppose the administration could come with serious consequences.

“We just have to be willing to accept that we can change what is happening in our country if we’re just willing to pay a price for it,” he said.

He added that he had considered the highest price he was willing to pay for speaking out and had decided to continue making his position known.

The circumstances surrounding Watson’s latest detention remain unclear, as the Air Force has yet to disclose the specific misconduct allegations against him.

“You’re a Fake Reporter!” - Trump Blasts CNN Journalist During Tense Oval Office Exchange

US President Donald Trump has clashed with a CNN White House correspondent Kristen Holmes during a tense exchange at the Oval Office, accusing the journalist of being a “fake reporter” and reporting “fake news.”

The confrontation occurred on Monday, August 17 during an event honouring 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, who was being recognised by the president for his heroic actions after rescuing a 10-year-old boy from dangerous waters.

The atmosphere changed when the CNN reporter attempted to ask Trump a follow-up question concerning South Korea and the scaling back of US military exercises.

Trump interrupted the journalist and appeared visibly irritated by the continued questioning.

“You’re a loud, boisterous person,” Trump told the reporter before accusing her of being disrespectful.

The president then went further, saying: “You’re a fake reporter and you report fake news.”

The reporter attempted to continue with her question, but Trump repeatedly pushed back, telling her to be quiet and dismissing her line of questioning.

The heated exchange unfolded in front of Ryder Williams, the teenage lifeguard being honoured at the White House.

Trump’s Long-Running “Fake News” Attacks

Trump’s use of the phrase “fake news” against the media is not new and has been a recurring feature of his relationship with journalists.

In January 2017, during a press conference shortly before his first inauguration, Trump famously refused to take a question from CNN reporter Jim Acosta and dismissed CNN as “fake news.” The confrontation became one of the most notable early clashes between Trump and the White House press corps.

More recently, during his second term, the White House itself published a 2025 statement titled “100 DAYS OF HOAXES: Cutting Through the Fake News,” accusing media organisations and Trump’s political opponents of spreading what it described as false information.

Trump has also repeatedly used the phrase against CNN and other major news organisations during his public appearances, making “fake news” one of his most recognisable descriptions of media coverage he considers unfair or inaccurate.

The latest confrontation therefore fits into a much longer pattern of tense exchanges between Trump and journalists, particularly when reporters challenge him on issues concerning his administration.

While the White House event was intended to celebrate the bravery of a teenage lifeguard, Trump’s clash with the CNN journalist quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the appearance.

The incident has since sparked reactions online, with supporters and critics of the president debating both Trump’s response and the reporter’s decision to persist with her questioning.

Shemariah Newsroom will continue to follow developments surrounding the incident.

Trump Says He’d ‘Love’ a Third Term, But Admits ‘The Law Is Very Strong’

US President Donald Trump has once again fueled discussion about a possible third term in the White House after saying he would “love to run” again in 2028, while acknowledging that the law presents a major obstacle.

Trump made the remarks on Wednesday after a reporter asked him about the possibility of seeking another term beyond his current presidency.

“I’d love to run, but the law is very strong,” Trump said.

“Everybody wants me to do it, but the law is very strong,” he added.

The comments immediately renewed attention around the possibility of Trump attempting to remain in the White House beyond the end of his current term.

Trump has previously entertained the idea of serving a third term, although the US Constitution currently limits presidents to two elected terms. The restriction is contained in the 22nd Amendment, which provides that no person can be elected president more than twice. 

Trump’s latest comments therefore appear to acknowledge the constitutional barrier while still making clear that he would welcome the opportunity to seek another term if the legal situation allowed it.

The president has repeatedly made remarks about a potential 2028 campaign since returning to office for his second term. In previous comments, he has suggested that there are people who want him to continue in office, while his allies have also promoted proposals aimed at changing the constitutional restriction.

In January 2025, Republican Congressman Andy Ogles introduced a proposal seeking to amend the 22nd Amendment in a way that could potentially allow presidents who served two non-consecutive terms to seek another term. Trump, who served his first term from 2017 to 2021 and returned to office in 2025, is the only living US president who has served two non-consecutive terms. 

The issue has remained politically controversial, with constitutional experts and opponents arguing that a third Trump term would require overcoming the existing constitutional prohibition.

Trump’s comments also come after he joked about a possible third term during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in July, when he made another reference to the possibility of remaining in office beyond two terms. 

For now, however, Trump did not announce any plan to challenge the constitutional limit. Instead, his latest response appeared to strike a balance between expressing his personal desire to continue in office and acknowledging the strength of the existing law.

The remarks are likely to keep speculation alive within the Republican Party about who could eventually succeed Trump after his current term.

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both been mentioned in discussions surrounding the Republican Party’s future leadership, although the 2028 race remains far from settled. Recent reports have also suggested that Trump has privately expressed support for Vance as a potential successor. 

Trump’s latest comments therefore leave the question open politically, even though the legal position remains clear under the current Constitution.

Unless the 22nd Amendment is changed, Trump cannot simply seek election to a third presidential term under the existing rules.

For now, the president appears to be acknowledging that reality himself.

Trump Warns of More Strikes, Says Iran’s Key Infrastructure Could Be Targeted

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to Iran, saying the United States is prepared to intensify military action if Tehran refuses to return to negotiations.

Speaking in an interview with FOX News’ Trey Yingst, Trump said Iran should expect sustained strikes unless a diplomatic agreement is reached.

“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight. We’re going to hit them very hard tomorrow night. We’re going to hit them very hard the night after, and then next week it gets really bad for them,” Trump said.

The U.S. president also warned that Iran’s energy infrastructure, power plants and bridges could become military targets if the standoff continues.

When asked whether he believed Iran was genuinely interested in reaching a deal, Trump replied, “I think they have no choice.”

His comments come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with concerns growing over the possibility of further military escalation in the region.

Neither the White House nor Iranian officials immediately announced any new diplomatic breakthrough following Trump’s remarks, leaving uncertainty over whether fresh negotiations will take place.