U.S. Government to Pay $5 Million Settlement to Family of Capitol Rioter Ashli Babbitt
The U.S. government has reached a $4.98 million settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, the woman fatally shot during the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.
The decision marks a controversial conclusion to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Babbitt’s estate, which had originally sought $30 million in damages.
Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran and fervent supporter of then-President Donald Trump, was shot by Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd as she attempted to climb through a broken window leading into the Speaker’s Lobby.
The shooting occurred as lawmakers were being evacuated from the House chamber amid the violent siege.
The Justice Department had previously cleared Byrd of any wrongdoing, citing that he acted lawfully in defense of members of Congress.
However, the Babbitt family’s legal team, backed by the conservative group Judicial Watch, accused the officer of acting without warning or attempts to de-escalate the situation.
The settlement, which avoids the prolonged legal battle of a court trial, allocates nearly one-third of the total sum to legal fees. Although it does not include an admission of liability by the government or Lt. Byrd, it signals a major shift in approach following Trump’s return to office in 2024.
The Justice Department had defended against the lawsuit under the previous administration but reversed its position in the past year.
The agreement has ignited political debate. Critics argue the move sets a dangerous precedent by compensating the family of someone involved in an insurrection.
“It’s a deeply troubling signal. Rewarding violent behavior undermines the rule of law,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Meanwhile, conservative commentators and Trump allies have hailed the settlement as a long-overdue vindication.
Former President Trump has frequently described Babbitt as a “patriot” and called her death a “horrible injustice.”
Though the final legal documents are yet to be signed, sources close to the case confirm that court filings are expected to formalize the agreement in the coming weeks.
Ashli Babbitt remains a polarizing symbol in the national reckoning over the January 6 attack. While some portray her as a martyr, others view her as a willing participant in a dangerous assault on American democracy.
