The Trump administration has decided to compensate Ashli Babbitt’s family with nearly $5 million. Babbitt, a supporter of the former president, was shot by police while attempting to breach the House Speaker’s lobby during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
This settlement was reached earlier this month, and the Justice Department confirmed on Monday that they will pay just under $5 million for Babbitt’s claims. A report from The Washington Post includes these details.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger expressed his disappointment regarding the settlement. He noted that more than 140 officers faced assaults during the chaotic events of that day, when President Trump was contesting his election defeat to Joe Biden.
“I made it clear that I was very disappointed and opposed the Justice Department’s decision to settle this case,” Manger stated after learning of the agreement.
“In 2021, the DOJ concluded that law enforcement had acted lawfully. A thorough investigation found that the shooting was justified,” he added.
Manger further remarked, “This settlement sends a troubling message to law enforcement across the nation, particularly those responsible for protection like our officers.”
Babbitt, who was 35 and unarmed at the time, was shot by US Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd.
The events of the January 6th riot led to over 140 police officers being injured while mobs attempted to disrupt the certification of Biden’s 2020 election victory.
Babbitt was among many Trump supporters trying to enter the Capitol lobby as some members of Congress were being evacuated. The shooting resulted in only one shot being fired, which hit Babbitt in the shoulder. She was subsequently taken to the Washington Hospital Center for treatment.
Babbitt’s family has alleged that Byrd was negligent, arguing he could have de-escalated the situation and that she posed no threat to anyone’s safety.
Byrd was cleared of wrongdoing following an internal Capitol Police investigation.
Byrd’s attorney, Mark Shammel, insisted that Byrd acted in accordance with his duty to protect the Capitol and its lawmakers when faced with the situation.
“In line with recent Supreme Court rulings on police use of force, Byrd did exactly what was necessary to safeguard the elected officials he was sworn to protect,” Shammel told the outlet.
This settlement comes against the backdrop of Trump repeatedly calling for leniency towards the participants in the January 6th events, often referring to Babbitt as a hero.
On the day of his inauguration, Trump also issued a blanket pardon for over 1,500 individuals charged in the Capitol riot, and there were later reports of his DOJ terminating a prosecutor involved in the case.
The administration continues to pursue identifying FBI agents involved in the investigation of the riots while also working to erase evidence and related statements from the DOJ’s public materials.
