Air Force Major Jason Watson, who was charged with multiple violations of military law after publicly calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump in July, awaits a potential court-martial.

Mr Watson was charged last month under three articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice: Article 88, contempt toward officials; Article 92, dereliction of duty; and Article 133, conduct unbecoming an officer.

During a preliminary hearing at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling on Friday, the accused officer made his first remarks since the charges, saying, “I understand my words made people uncomfortable. I spoke to change something that was wrong.”

Joshua Wendell, the preliminary officer for the hearing, read the charges to the full courtroom, with Mr Watson sternly looking down at the papers in front of him.

The Friday hearing was the first step before a service member’s case could be referred to a general court-martial. 

“I have no expectations to continue to serve,” he added.

Potential penalties for Mr Watson could include reprimand, reassignment, demotion, forfeiture of pay, extra duties or restrictions, dishonourable discharge, confinement and loss of benefits.

Mr Watson graduated from the Air Force Academy and has served for 17 years as a logistics officer, mostly overseas. He is 40.

He made the headlines in July when he stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in his service uniform and called for the impeachment of Mr Trump and his Vice President, JD Vance.

Mr Watson cited U.S. military involvement in Venezuela, Cuba and Iran as reasons for Mr Trump’s impeachment.

“Who I am is immaterial,” Mr Watson said at a news conference at the time. “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’m willing to pay to say it,” he declared.