An explosive legal development involving Ashli Babbitt and the Trump administration has triggered debate in Washington.
The Trump administration has agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit with the family of Ashli Babbitt, paying nearly $5 million over her fatal shooting during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, CNN Politics has reported.
The arrangement, once finalized by the court, will end a $30 million civil suit filed by Babbitt’s family. Babbitt, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed by a U.S. Capitol Police officer as she tried to climb through a broken window outside the Speaker’s Lobby during the violent breach of Congress. The officer involved was cleared of criminal wrongdoing by both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, who found no evidence of unlawful or unreasonable force.
According to information made public on Monday, the settlement comes after months of negotiation between Babbitt’s estate and the Justice Department. In a hearing earlier in May, lawyers confirmed an agreement in principle had been reached, though the specific amount was undisclosed until now. The $5 million payout is contingent upon approval by the court, thus bringing to an end a high-profile civil lawsuit that originally sought $30 million in damages.
The DOJ concluded in April 2021 that the officer’s actions did not violate federal law, citing a lack of evidence that the shooting was willful or unreasonable. Prosecutors emphasized that at the moment the officer fired, he reasonably believed it was necessary to protect himself and Members of Congress from being evacuated from the House chamber. This determination was further reinforced by a public statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office, which underscored the absence of evidence for criminal charges.
While the DOJ and the Capitol Police cleared the officer of wrongdoing, the civil suit operated under a different legal standard. Civil cases, unlike criminal prosecutions, require a lower burden of proof and focus on liability rather than intent. This distinction paved the way for negotiations between Babbitt’s family and the government, ultimately resulting in the multimillion-dollar settlement.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger voiced his strong opposition to the settlement. He argued that it undermines law enforcement personnel tasked with protecting government officials during crises. Manger’s statement was unequivocal, expressing deep disappointment and concern about the message the settlement sends to officers nationwide.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said:
In 2021, the DOJ investigation determined no wrongdoing by police. This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours.
Critics of the settlement say it could have a lasting impact on the willingness of law enforcement to take decisive action during emergencies. Law enforcement organizations argue that rewarding a civil claim after a criminal exoneration may deter officers from intervening in dangerous situations. They point to the DOJ’s own findings as evidence that the officer acted within the bounds of the law and departmental policy.
Supporters of Babbitt’s family, however, maintain that the civil case was justified and necessary. They argue that regardless of criminal liability, Babbitt’s death raised serious questions about use-of-force protocols and the rights of individuals in volatile situations. For them, the settlement validates the need to scrutinize police conduct, even in chaotic circumstances like the Capitol riot.
Attorneys for Babbitt’s estate and the Justice Department have yet to comment publicly on the specifics of the settlement beyond confirming its existence. The court’s approval will finalize the deal, making it one of the largest wrongful death settlements in a case tied to a political protest.
This outcome arrives in the context of ongoing national debates about the appropriate use of force by police, especially in high-stakes, politically charged environments. The January 6 Capitol riot remains a flashpoint in American discourse, and Babbitt’s death is one of its most scrutinized moments.
Legal experts note that civil settlements do not constitute admissions of guilt, but they often reflect government efforts to manage risk and avoid unpredictable jury verdicts.
Ashli Babbitt’s family, having pursued a $30 million lawsuit, now stands to receive nearly $5 million from the Trump administration in a settlement that ends their wrongful death case. The fatal shooting occurred as Babbitt, a Trump supporter, tried to breach a barricaded area of the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 riot. The officer involved was not charged after multiple investigations cleared his actions.
The settlement awaits final approval by the court, which will conclude months of legal maneuvering between Babbitt’s family and the Justice Department. Both sides have confirmed the agreement.
