The Trump administration has reached a settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by Capitol Police during the Jan. 6 Capitol unrest.
The settlement authorized by the administration resolves a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by Babbitt's family against the government, as the Daily Mail reports.
Babbitt, 35, was among the individuals who entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. She was shot by Lt. Michael Byrd as she attempted to breach the Speaker's lobby, an area where members of Congress were sheltering during the demonstration.
Lt. Byrd, who later disclosed in an interview that he had not assessed Babbitt's intentions before firing, was cleared of any wrongdoing following an internal investigation in August 2021.
Babbitt's husband, Aaron Babbitt, subsequently filed a $30 million lawsuit against the government. The suit alleged wrongful death and negligence in response to the actions taken by Lt. Byrd. The Justice Department has now reached a preliminary agreement with Babbitt’s estate to settle the case, though specific details of the settlement are yet to be finalized.
Tom Fitton, representing Babbitt's family, led the discussions for the settlement. President Donald Trump has publicly supported the Babbitt family, characterizing her death as wrongful and expressing intentions to investigate further into the incident. Trump labeled Babbitt as an ardent supporter of his and criticized the actions that led to her death as disgraceful.
Lt. Byrd, in interviews, defended his actions by stating he acted to protect the lives of Congress members and officers who were in apparent jeopardy. Byrd expressed that his attempts to manage the situation involved tactical stances and commands for compliance, which were not heeded. Consequently, his decision to use his weapon came after failed verbal warnings aimed at de-escalating the situation.
During the chaotic events, an extensive crowd was set on breaching secure areas of the Capitol, exacerbating the potential threat to safety. Immediate actions, such as Byrd's, were deemed justified by perceived imminent dangers, although the tragic outcomes were heavily scrutinized after the event. The use of force was ultimately declared a necessary measure under the extraordinary circumstances encountered.
In recounting the moments that led to the discharge of his weapon, Byrd noted the pressure of ensuring protective measures for both himself and his colleagues. He said his protocol in aiming was centered on practical defense, while Babbitt's position offered a limited view, affecting the eventual outcome.
Babbitt, a passionate conservative, drew significant public and political attention following the incident. Video recordings showed the aftermath of her shooting, sparking broad debates over the appropriateness of the police response and Babbitt’s role in the protests.
The events of January 6, which involved over 1,500 people facing criminal charges, marked a significant historical occurrence in contemporary U.S. politics. The majority of those prosecuted for participation received pardons from Trump, further complicating the narrative around accountability for actions taken on that day.
This settlement represents a pivotal development in the long-ongoing examination of responsibility and legal outcomes stemming from the incidents of Jan. 6. The legal proceedings and settlements serve as important markers for how justice is sought and perceived in the wake of civil unrest.
As the public awaits further details of the settlement's completion, the proceedings echo the ongoing societal conversations around protest, law enforcement, and governmental response in times of national crisis. Moreover, as this chapter of the Jan. 6 aftermath closes with a legal resolution, the dialogue on political expression and constitutional limits continues to resonate across the nation.
