Air Force to Honor Ashli Babbitt with Military Funeral
The U.S. Air Force has announced that Ashli Babbitt, a senior aviator shot by police during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, will receive military funeral honors. This decision follows a prior rejection from the Biden administration shortly after her death in February 2021. It also coincides with a recent settlement in which the government agreed to pay nearly $5 million to the Babbitt family.
In an August 15 letter addressed to her husband, Aaron Babbitt, the Air Force Secretary stated, “After considering the circumstances of Ashli’s death and the information that has come to light since then, I have been persuaded that my previous decision is wrong.”
An Air Force spokesperson confirmed the decision to grant military honors, indicating that these honors were provided after a review of the situation surrounding Babbitt’s death.
Babbitt was shot by Capitol police while attempting to breach a barricade during the riot. In May, the Justice Department decided against charging the officer involved. The news that the Air Force would acknowledge Babbitt’s military service drew both praise and backlash, especially since her honors were previously denied under the current administration.
Critics have voiced strong opinions regarding this development. For instance, Adam Kinzinger, a member of the committee investigating the events of January 6, remarked that Babbitt “dishonored her service” by participating in what he termed a rebellion against her country. He expressed disbelief about the Air Force’s decision to bestow honors upon her.
On the other side, some, like former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, commended the Air Force’s change of heart, suggesting it provides some comfort to Babbitt’s family regarding the loss of a “wonderful person.”
As this situation continues to unfold, many are left questioning the implications of offering military honors to someone involved in such a contentious event. For those affected by the riots, including injured officers, the decision may feel like a significant affront, adding further layers to an already complex narrative.
