A legal group representing Ashli Babbitt’s family has announced that the US Air Force will provide military funeral honors for her on January 6, reversing a previous decision made under the Biden administration.
Judicial Watch, a conservative legal organization, shared a letter from Air Force Secretary Matthew Romeier, which confirms this change.
Lohmeier noted that the Air Force initially denied the family’s request in a letter from February 2021, but after reviewing the context surrounding Ashli’s death and recent developments, he felt compelled to change his stance.
He also invited Babbitt’s mother and husband to meet with him at the Pentagon to express his condolences in person.
The Pentagon has been asked to comment on the validity of the letter.
Babbitt, an Air Force veteran, was shot by police during the January 6, 2021 riot while attempting to breach a barricaded door near the House chamber.
About a month after the riot, an Air Force representative from the Biden administration informed her family that they would not be receiving military honors due to the circumstances of her death.
Lieutenant General Brian Kelly explained that providing military funeral honors would “distrust the Air Force,” as stated in his correspondence.
The military honors include at least two servicemembers, one representing the Veterans’ Services Branch. According to the Veterans Affairs Bureau, the ceremony consists of playing taps and folding the American flag.
Tom Fitton, chair of Judicial Watch, stated that the family appreciates Secretary Romeier’s decision and feels it reverses a previous unfair denial of honors to a distinguished veteran.
In a separate matter, the government agreed to pay Babbitt’s family almost $5 million as part of a settlement.
This development occurred as the Trump administration attempted to roll back Biden’s measures against those involved in the riot.
On his first day in office, Trump pardoned many rioters and dismissed several prosecutors involved in the cases linked to the incident.
The Air Force has not yet responded to requests for comment.
