Trump Government Agrees to Settle Ashli Babbitt Lawsuit for $4.975 Million
Angry Outgoing Capitol Police Chief Criticizes $5M Settlement in Jan. 6 Shooting
The contentious settlement of the wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of Ashli Babbitt, the rioter who was killed during the Capitol siege, has ignited heated discussions within law enforcement circles. The Trump administration has agreed to pay an staggering $4.975 million to settle the case initiated by Babbitt's relatives and backed by Judicial Watch, a conservative advocacy group.
Babbitt, a 33-year-old Air Force veteran, was among the first rioters to approach the doors of the Speaker's Lobby in the Capitol, adjacent to the House's meeting chamber, when legislators were still present and being evacuated. As the mob tried to forced entry, smashing window panes and threatening Capitol Police, Officer Michael Byrd, later identified as the shooter, acted in self-defense, striking and killing Babbitt.
The lawsuit, filed in a California court last year, cited claims of wrongful death, assault and battery, and negligence. Originally set for trial in 2026, the case is now likely to be dismissed.
Tom Fitton, President of Judicial Watch, commented on the settlement, stating, "This fair settlement is a historic and necessary step for justice for Ashli Babbitt's family. Ashli should never have been killed, and this settlement destroys an evil, partisan narrative that justified her outrageous killing and protected her killer."
The Department of Justice has yet to comment on the settlement. However, the agreement is expected to fuel ongoing tensions over the riot, as Trump has since tried to portray it as a "day of love."
Recently, as negotiations for the settlement progressed, high-ranking members of the U.S. Capitol Police took the chance to criticize the Trump administration's decision to reach a settlement with Babbitt's estate. Outgoing U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger expressed his disappointment and disagreement with the settlement, noting that a prior Department of Justice investigation had found no wrongdoing on the part of law enforcement. Manger argued that the settlement sends a "chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours."
Trump, who encouraged his supporters to rally at the Capitol, has repeatedly praised Babbitt, calling her an "innocent" patriot who died at the hands of Capitol Police. To date, Trump has issued pardons for more than 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 riots.
Sources:- Outgoing Capitol Police chief blasts reported settlement in Jan. 6 shooting- Trump administration to pay nearly $5M in wrongful death lawsuit of Jan. 6 rioter shot by police
Background:- Incident: Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from California, was among the rioters who breached the Capitol on January 6, 2021, during a rally in support of then-President Donald Trump. She was shot by Lt. Michael Byrd while trying to climb through a broken window into the Speaker's Lobby during the riot[1][2].- Investigations: Despite the fatal shooting, Byrd was cleared of any wrongdoing by both local and federal authorities in 2021[2].
Implications:- The settlement raises questions about the accountability and use of force by law enforcement agencies.- It may impact the confidence and sense of safety among law enforcement officers when responding to high-pressure situations.
- The criticism from the outgoing Capitol Police Chief, Thomas Manger, highlights the potential implications of the $4.975 million settlement in the Jan. 6 shooting case on policy-and-legislation and politics, as it sends a "chilling message" to law enforcement nationwide, particularly those with a protective mission.
- The contentious settlement of the Jan. 6 shooting case, which falls under general-news and crime-and-justice, has instigated debates among law enforcement circles, as some view it as a problematic precedent for war-and-conflicts situations, raising questions about the accountability and use of force by law enforcement agencies.
