A growing controversy surrounds the U.S. Capitol Police Department's handling of financial benefits and career advancement for one of its officers.
According to Just the News, Capitol Police union chairman Gus Papathanasiou has criticized the department for providing exceptional financial and other benefits to Capt. Michael Byrd, who fatally shot protestor Ashli Babbitt during the January 6 Capitol riot.
The dispute centers on revelations that Byrd received a $37,000 retention bonus, assistance with $160,000 in private fundraising, housing support, and a promotion to captain - benefits that far exceeded those given to other officers present during the riot.
Papathanasiou demanded that Byrd either repay the excess amounts or that similar benefits be extended to all officers who served that day.
House Democratic leadership reportedly pressured the Capitol Police to provide special assistance to Byrd following the shooting incident. Internal communications show that Byrd sought even more benefits through a memorial fund meant for wounded officers.
The controversy has caught the attention of House Administration Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Barry Loudermilk, who called the political influence on Capitol Police "highly inappropriate." He expressed particular concern about the lack of transparency in the department's handling of the situation.
Papathanasiou has called for an investigation into Capitol Police leadership by the incoming Congress, questioning what else the department might be concealing from public view.
Byrd's history with the department includes several disciplinary incidents involving firearms, such as shooting at a stolen vehicle while off duty and leaving his weapon unattended in a public restroom.
Chairman Loudermilk revealed that at least three additional referrals to the Office of Professional Responsibility regarding Byrd are missing from records.
Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch, which filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Babbitt's family, offered his perspective:
Let me be clear, Byrd should never have been anywhere near a weapon, let alone in a high level security position. Taking a step back in officer-involved shootings, we've all been, you know, with the country sensitized to them, what happens? Right? There's grand juries to put administrative leave, et cetera, and and in a case like what Byrd did to Ashley Babbitt, it likely would have resulted in criminal charges.
In his only public interview with NBC News' Lester Holt, Byrd defended his actions during the January 6 incident:
I had been yelling and screaming as loud as I was: please stop! Get back! Get back! Stop! We had weapons drawn. She was posing a threat to the United States House of Representatives.
The U.S. Capitol Police union's challenge to the department's preferential treatment of Capt. Michael Byrd has exposed potential political influence in law enforcement operations. The controversy stems from the unprecedented financial and career benefits provided to Byrd following the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt during the January 6 Capitol riot.
As the case moves forward, multiple investigations are pending, including a wrongful death lawsuit scheduled for trial in July 2026. The union's demands for equal treatment of all officers and calls for a congressional investigation into department leadership suggest this issue will remain at the forefront of Capitol Police oversight discussions.
