US offers military funeral honors to Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt, killed by officer in Jan. 6 attack on Capitol
Share and Follow

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government is offering military funeral honors for Ashli Babbitt, the rioter who was killed at 35 by an officer in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Babbitt was a U.S. Air Force veteran from California who was shot dead wearing a Trump campaign flag wrapped around her shoulders while attempting to climb through the broken window of a barricaded door leading to the Speaker’s Lobby inside the Capitol.

Offering military honors to one of the Capitol rioters is part of President Donald Trump’s attempts to rewrite that chapter after the 2020 election as a patriotic stand, given he still denies he lost that election. Babbitt has gained martyr status among Republicans, and the Trump administration agreed to pay just under $5 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit that her family filed over her shooting.

Matthew Lohmeier, an under secretary of the Air Force, said on X that the decision was “long overdue,” and shared a post from a conservative legal group that was advocating for Babbitt’s family. The group, Judicial Watch, said the family had requested military honors from former President Joe Biden’s administration and had been denied.

In a statement, a U.S. Air Force spokesperson said that “after reviewing the circumstances” of Babbitt’s death, military funeral honors were offered to the family. Babbitt was a senior airman.

The post shared by Lohmeier included a link to a letter the Air Force under secretary wrote to Babbitt’s family, inviting them to meet him at the Pentagon.

“After reviewing the circumstances of Ashli’s death, and considering the information that has come forward since then, I am persuaded that the previous determination was incorrect,” the Aug. 15 letter read.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Outline of potential shutdown deal emerges as senators continue talks

Senators Unveil Potential Agreement to Prevent Government Shutdown

Washington — As the government shutdown edges closer to becoming the longest…
Florida AG issues subpoenas to trucking company that employed illegal immigrant charged in fatal crash

Industry Executive Warns: Foreign Firms Exploiting Trucking Industry with Unlicensed Drivers Endangering U.S. Roads

A trucking industry executive has voiced concerns over the increasing presence of…
Arrest warrant issued for Bell High football player accused of attacking Fernandina Beach High football player during game

Bell High Football Player Faces Arrest Warrant for On-Field Assault at Fernandina Beach Game

The Fernandina Beach Police Department has announced a warrant for Daniel Byers,…
Newly released video shows cops cuffing teen linked to violent sex assault scandal that has families fuming

Recently Unveiled Video Shows Police Detaining Teenager Connected to High-Profile Sexual Assault Case, Sparking Family Outrage

A freshly unveiled body-camera recording has surfaced, capturing the arrest of a…
Air India sole crash survivor says he feels like 'luckiest man' alive but struggles with trauma

Air India Crash Survivor Shares Emotional Journey: From Feeling ‘Lucky’ to Battling Trauma

The sole survivor of the Air India crash that occurred in June…
Two Belgium airports shut down after drones are spotted overhead

Drone Intrusions Ground Flights: Belgium’s Major Airports Face Unexpected Shutdown

Drone activity has resulted in the temporary shutdown of two significant airports…
Trump nominates Elon Musk ally to head NASA

Trump Taps Elon Musk Supporter for NASA Leadership Role: A Strategic Move for Space Innovation

In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has extended…
LISTEN: The moments before near-miss at Hopkins Airport

Exclusive Audio Reveals Tense Moments Leading to Near-Miss Incident at Hopkins Airport

CLEVELAND (WJW) — An investigation has been launched by the National Transportation…