The Trump administration has agreed to a nearly $5 million settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, the Air Force veteran who was fatally shot during the January 6 Capitol breach. The agreement resolves a wrongful death lawsuit brought forward by Babbitt’s relatives, who alleged excessive force and negligence by Capitol Police.
Babbitt was shot while attempting to climb through a shattered window leading to the Speaker’s Lobby, an area near the House chamber that was under lockdown. The officer who fired the shot, Lt. Michael Byrd, was later cleared of any wrongdoing following multiple investigations that concluded he acted to protect lawmakers in immediate danger.
The lawsuit originally sought $30 million in damages, arguing that Babbitt, who was unarmed, was given no warning before being shot. As part of the settlement, a substantial portion of the funds will go to the family’s legal representatives, including a conservative legal group involved in the case.
The settlement has sparked backlash from several law enforcement officials, with some expressing concern that the payout could undermine efforts to protect public officials and discourage police from acting decisively in dangerous situations.
This legal development comes on the heels of President Trump’s sweeping pardons for hundreds of individuals charged in connection with the Capitol unrest. Critics argue that both actions contribute to an ongoing effort to reshape the public narrative surrounding the events of January 6.
The settlement is expected to be finalized in the coming days, with additional court filings anticipated to complete the agreement.