Trump Administration Settles Lawsuit Filed by Family of Ashli Babbitt
A legal chapter stemming from the tumultuous events of January 6, 2021, has reached a resolution as the Trump administration agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by the family of Ashli Babbitt, a fervent supporter of then-President Donald Trump who tragically lost her life during the Capitol attack. The settlement, the details of which remain confidential, brings an end to a legal battle that sought to hold the government accountable for Babbitt’s death.
Babbitt’s family initiated the lawsuit in early 2024, seeking a substantial $30 million in damages for her death. The lawsuit centered on the circumstances surrounding Babbitt’s shooting by U.S. Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd as she attempted to enter the House Speakers lobby during the chaotic events of January 6th.
According to reports from CBS News and The Washington Post, the financial specifics of the settlement were not disclosed during a Friday hearing held in a D.C. federal court. The lack of transparency regarding the settlement amount leaves room for speculation and debate about the motivations behind the agreement and its potential implications.
The death of Ashli Babbitt has become a focal point for various narratives and interpretations of the January 6th events. She has been both vilified as a participant in a violent insurrection and lionized as a martyr by those who believe the 2020 election was stolen and that the subsequent protests were justified.
On the fateful day of January 6th, Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran, joined a large crowd of Trump supporters who descended upon the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. The crowd, fueled by unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud, aimed to disrupt the congressional certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
As the situation escalated, a segment of the crowd breached security barriers and entered the Capitol Building. Babbitt was among those who advanced toward the House Speakers lobby, where members of Congress were still present. Amidst the chaos, Lieutenant Byrd discharged his weapon, fatally striking Babbitt.
The shooting ignited a firestorm of controversy, with some questioning the justification for the use of deadly force and others defending the officer’s actions as necessary to protect lawmakers and maintain order. The incident quickly became a symbol of the deep divisions and political polarization that have gripped the United States.
Babbitt’s mother, Micki Witthoeft, has emerged as a prominent advocate for those who participated in the January 6th events and faced criminal charges in the aftermath. Witthoeft has been a vocal critic of the government’s response to the Capitol attack and has actively campaigned for the release of those she believes were unfairly prosecuted.
Witthoeft herself has faced legal challenges related to her activism. In early 2023, she was charged with two traffic violations, including failing to obey Capitol Police orders, during a protest commemorating the two-year anniversary of the January 6th attack.
The settlement of the lawsuit comes against the backdrop of former President Trump’s actions regarding individuals charged in connection with the January 6th events. Trump granted clemency to approximately 1,500 defendants who faced charges for their alleged roles in the attack. These pardons and commutations have been met with mixed reactions, with some praising Trump for showing mercy and others condemning his actions as undermining the rule of law.
In the lawsuit, Babbitt’s estate argued that her death was the result of government negligence. The legal team representing Babbitt’s family sought to establish that the government had failed to adequately protect her and that the use of deadly force was unjustified.
Under the Biden administration, Justice Department lawyers moved to dismiss several of the claims in the lawsuit. The government argued that Lieutenant Byrd’s actions were justified and that the government could not be held liable for Babbitt’s death.
Interestingly, four days after Trump left office, lawyers representing the Justice Department and Babbitt’s estate jointly requested a delay in a scheduled court hearing on the motion to dismiss. This unusual request suggests that both sides may have been exploring a potential settlement even before the Biden administration took office.
The settlement of the Babbitt lawsuit represents a significant development in the ongoing legal and political fallout from the January 6th Capitol attack. While the financial details of the settlement remain confidential, the agreement signifies a resolution of a contentious legal battle that has further inflamed political divisions in the United States. It remains a point of contention for many, highlighting the lasting impact of that day.
