Internal communications reveal that U.S. House Democratic leaders may have influenced the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) to bestow unusual financial and career incentives to Lt. Michael Byrd, who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol unrest.
This attempt included hefty bonuses, housing, security enhancements, and career promotion for Byrd, despite his controversial disciplinary history, raising questions of unequal treatment compared to other officers, as Just the News reports.
The involvement of high-ranking Democratic Party figures such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Steny Hoyer in Byrd's case has drawn scrutiny. Suggestions to provide Byrd exceptional support included a significant $37,000 retention bonus, starkly contrasting with the $3,000 offered to other officers in the wake of the events at issue.
Byrd attempted to secure additional compensation from a fund reserved for officers injured or deceased in duty. Although his request was denied, Democratic leaders backed his GoFundMe initiative, generating over $164,000, with promotions coming from lawmakers including Rep. Eric Swalwell.
USCP covered nearly $21,899 for security enhancements at Byrd’s Maryland residence, encompassing protective rooms and surveillance. He was also temporarily housed on a military base and at a hotel under constant security. Despite these measures, Byrd expressed dissatisfaction with what he labeled as inadequate and procrastinated support and conveyed his concerns about the delay in an internal correspondence.
Byrd's position within the USCP faced challenges due to his past disciplinary encounters, which included six referrals to the Office of Professional Responsibility, one escalating to a prosecutor's attention. In 2021, USCP considered establishing a special captain's role for Byrd following his failure to meet the criteria for existing advancement.
This plan, however, did not materialize immediately. Byrd ascended to a captain position two years afterward, leading to debates about the fairness of his elevation amid his contentious track record.
The remarkable financial, residential, and occupational support Byrd received was reportedly influenced by top Democratic leadership, including then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Tim Ryan’s staff, then chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee, were also involved.
USCP's coordination with Democratic officials to extend exceptional resources to Byrd involved exploring multiple scenarios to facilitate his advancement within the force, drawing critics. They uncovered these communications as part of its probe into USCP's management protocols in the wake of Jan. 6. Loudermilk criticized the inconsistencies in treatment between Byrd and his peers.
The House Administration Oversight Subcommittee, headed by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, discovered these communications as part of its probe into USCP's management protocols after Jan. 6. Loudermilk criticized the inconsistencies in treatment between Byrd and his peers. "They went to extremes," Loudermilk stated, accentuating that frontline officers received much smaller bonuses compared to Byrd's substantial one.
In August 2021, an interview Byrd gave to NBC against USCP advice intensified the security concerns and costs. His remarks further compounded the backlash stirred by the disparity in treatment and allowances. Byrd defended his communications with Congress, suggesting differences in understanding between him and USCP, and hinted that unresolved issues might not reflect well on the Capitol Police.
Concerns over Byrd's reinstatement and benefit packages continue to resonate, with Byrd suggesting members of Congress held differing views from the Capitol Police, hinting at an impending address.
This revelation brings to light tensions within the department and questions the equity and transparency of decisions being influenced by political authority, resonating widely amid ongoing investigations into the Capitol Police's decisions and processes following the Jan. 6 incident.
