The Trump administration has announced that the government will pay out a $5 million settlement to Ashli Babbitt’s family in their wrongful death lawsuit. Babbitt, a January 6 rioter, was fatally shot during the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Ashli Babbitt’s family brought forth a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit through her estate and alleged a Capitol Police Officer was negligent in his duties when he shot her. Although she attempted to breach a broken window of the House speaker’s lobby, her family believed there was no reason for her to be shot at.
The Justice Department’s Investigation
The Justice Department investigated U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd and concluded in April 2021 that he was innocent of any criminal wrongdoing. They said their investigation showed no evidence that he “did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber.”
A separate investigation found that Byrd’s actions were lawful and appropriate considering the situation. In an August 2021 statement, the U.S. Capitol Police said, “The actions of the officer in this case potentially saved Members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters who forced their way into the U.S. Capitol and to the House Chamber where Members and staff were steps away.”
“USCP Officers had barricaded the Speaker’s Lobby with furniture before a rioter shattered the glass door. If the doors were breached, the rioters would have immediate access to the House Chambers. The officer’s actions were consistent with the officer’s training and USCP policies and procedures.”
CPC Reacts to Ashli Babbitt Settlement
Regarding the settlement made on behalf of the Trump Administration, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger told ABC News he is “extremely disappointed and disagrees with this settlement.” Manger explained, “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.”
Manger came out of retirement in 2021 to deal with the riot, and is expected to retire once again. After expressing his disappointment in this administration’s decision to payout, he said, “This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours.” This could set a precedent for officers not to do their due diligence, leading to more terror.
Trump Pardons Violent Criminals
President Trump is rather pleased with this settlement, and cites Ashli Babbitt’s death as a tragedy and part of something bigger. He was unaware of the lawsuit but claimed to have looked into it two months ago.
Trump said, “I’m a big fan of Ashli Babbitt, okay, and Ashli Babbitt was a really good person who was a big MAGA fan, Trump fan, and she was innocently standing there — they even say, trying to sort of hold back the crowd.” He continued, “And a man did something unthinkable to her when he shot her, and I think it’s a disgrace. I’m going to look into that; I did not know that.”
Trump has pardoned nearly all of the January 6 rioters who attempted to overthrow the Capitol building after he believed the 2020 election was stolen from him. Manger was also disappointed in the pardons as he described them as a move to “let violent criminals who attacked police officers off the hook” instead of being given “consequences, condemnation and accountability.”
