Trump Administration Settles Ashli Babbitt Family’s Lawsuit for Nearly $5 Million

Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has agreed to pay nearly $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed by law enforcement during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. This settlement comes as part of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Babbitt’s estate, which claimed negligence by the U.S. Capitol Police.

Outgoing U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger confirmed to CBS News that the Justice Department has reached an agreement to compensate Babbitt’s family. Manger expressed his disappointment with the settlement decision, stating, “I told them I was extremely disappointed, and I disagreed with the Department of Justice’s decision to settle this lawsuit.”

The lawsuit, initially filed in California before being transferred to Washington, D.C., argued that Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd acted negligently when he fired his weapon at Babbitt. It claimed Byrd did not identify himself and failed to de-escalate the situation as Babbitt attempted to breach the House Speaker’s Lobby.

According to the lawsuit, Babbitt, an Air Force veteran and avid Trump supporter, posed no threat at the time of the shooting. The document asserts, “Ashli was unarmed. Her hands were up in the air, empty, and in plain view of Lt. Byrd and other officers in the lobby.”

Babbitt’s death sparked outrage among Trump supporters, igniting further claims of police misconduct during the riot, which aimed to halt the certification of Joe Biden’s electoral victory.

President Trump has acknowledged Babbitt’s actions as heroic and voiced support for those convicted over the events of January 6, calling them “J6 hostages.” In response to the riot, Trump later issued pardons to numerous individuals connected to the events.

The officer involved in the shooting stated in an interview that he acted as a “last resort,” asserting that he had no knowledge of Babbitt’s status when he opened fire. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Capitol Police previously cleared him of any wrongdoing in the incident.

This story is still developing and will be updated as more details become available.