Recent actions of Watson, Smith heroic and patriotic

Lorie Lux

Submitted photo/Women's Watch

Submitted art/Women's Watch

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OPINION — Two events I saw on TV that I believe are major moments in all of our lives occurred recently.

On July 1, U.S. Air Force Maj. Jason Watson walked to the U.S. Capitol, stood on a podium in his military uniform and made history by, as military law says, “using contemptuous words against the president.” He accused President Donald Trump of:

• Unconstitutional military action in Venezuela, Cuba and Iran without congressional authorization, in violation of the War Powers Clause, resulting in the deaths of 13 service members and injuries to hundreds more.

• Granting sweeping authority to an unelected mega-donor to shut down federal agencies, access government databases and terminate tens of thousands of civil servants.

• Denying due process to hundreds of people before deporting them to a foreign prison notorious for human-rights abuses.

• Sponsoring violence against Americans exercising their constitutional right to protest.

Watson, a logistics readiness officer who was stationed in Poland, said he served 17 years in Europe, worked with NATO and isn’t a Democrat. He also said the Constitution binds us all together, that he spent his life defending our democratic republic and believes that the greatest threat to our country is domestic.

He then said the burden of culpability lies with those currently running the executive branch of the government.

Watson knew what the result would be if he spoke out. Sure enough, Watson was removed, handcuffed and led away while the onlooking crowd chanted to patrol officers, “Who do you protect? Who do you serve?” In less than 24 hours, a fundraiser for his legal defense raised more than $93,000; at last count it was over $300,000.

And then, the man who previously built a legal case against Trump, who followed the evidence and the law and then was forced to resign for doing his job, sat before Nicole Wallace on MS Now to speak on behalf of Watson and our country. Jack Smith, former special counsel, said, “We are facing an attack on the rule of law that is different in kind and scope to anything I’ve seen in my lifetime.”

Smith said he was doing what he had always done: Following the evidence. When asked if he was still ready to bring the case to trial after Trump leaves office, Smith did not hesitate. He said, “Yeah. Correct.”

The Nov. 3 election is when we decide what America’s next 250 years will look like. On behalf of women and children who want a decent place to raise a family, I hope and pray that enough people vote, no matter what obstacles are thrown at us, and these brave men’s actions are made worthwhile for us and the country.

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