Trump administration makes shock decision in Jan 6 rioter lawsuit
Share and Follow

The Trump administration has agreed to settle a lawsuit with the family of a January 6 rioter who was fatally shot by Capitol Police.

Ashli Babbitt, 35, was gunned down by then-Lieutenant Michael Byrd as she and thousands of others attempted to storm the Hill in 2021.

Byrd was cleared of any wrongdoing over the shooting which took place as 80 members of Congress were sheltering inside.

A $30 million lawsuit has been filed by Aaron Babbitt, the husband of Babbitt, accusing the government of ‘wrongful death, assault and battery and various negligence issues’.

But the Justice Department and Babbitt’s estate reached an agreement in principle to resolve the case. 

Tom Fitton, the president of Judicial Watch, a conservative legal advocacy organization representing Babbitt’s family, mentioned that the details of the lawsuit are expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

The president has shown his support for Babbitt by publicly defending her and other January 6 rioters who sought to block the certification of his 2020 election loss, making this recent settlement another display of support towards Babbitt’s case.

Trump branded Babbitt’s death a ‘murder’ and demanded ‘justice’ for the Air Force veteran.

The Trump administration has agreed to settle a lawsuit with the family of Ashli Babbitt, a January 6 rioter who was fatally shot by Capitol Police

The Trump administration has agreed to settle a lawsuit with the family of Ashli Babbitt, a January 6 rioter who was fatally shot by Capitol Police

Babbitt, 35, was gunned down as she and thousands of others attempted to storm the Hill in 2021

Babbitt, 35, was gunned down as she and thousands of others attempted to storm the Hill in 2021

‘I’m a big fan of Ashli Babbitt, OK, and Ashli Babbitt was a really good person who was a big MAGA fan, Trump fan, and she was innocently standing there — they even say trying to sort of hold back the crowd,’ Trump said in March. 

‘And a man did something unthinkable to her when he shot her, and I think it’s a disgrace. I’m going to look into that. I did not know that.’

More than 1,500 people were criminally charged for participating in the riot. 

Trump pardoned nearly all of them, and released those who had been imprisoned.

The Justice Department has moved to replace Trump as a defendant in lawsuits he faces over the violence at the Capitol.

Babbitt was a vocal Trump supporter and promoted conservative activists and QAnon conspiracy theory movement leaders.

On the day of the storming, she walked to the Capitol for about one-and-a-half miles.

Two undercover Metropolitan Police Department officers followed closely behind her as she climbed the stairs to the West Terrace and entered the Capitol on the Senate side.

She was shot by then-Lieutenant Michael Byrd, who was later cleared of any wrongdoing

She was shot by then-Lieutenant Michael Byrd, who was later cleared of any wrongdoing

President Trump has previously expressed his support for Babbitt and called her death 'murder'

President Trump has previously expressed his support for Babbitt and called her death ‘murder’

She had reached the Speaker’s lobby when the shooting happened.

Court documents state that Byrd shot Ashli on sight as she raised herself into the opening of the right door sidelight.

He later confessed that he shot Ashli before seeing her hands, assessing her intentions, or even identifying her as female.

Video shows her on the floor after being shot in her shoulder and being surrounded by other witnesses.

After an internal investigation, Byrd was exonerated in August 2021.

He later defended his actions in an interview with NBC.

‘I know members of Congress, as well as my fellow officers and staff, were in jeopardy and in serious danger. And that’s my job,’ Lt. Byrd said.

‘I’m hearing about the breaches of different barricaded areas, officers being overrun, officers being down.’

Babbitt's husband Aaron Babbitt filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit

Babbitt’s husband Aaron Babbitt filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit 

The terms of the settlement have not been released. Pictured: Babbitt's mother Micki Witthoeft

The terms of the settlement have not been released. Pictured: Babbitt’s mother Micki Witthoeft

Byrd said he had no idea if the person he shot was carrying a weapon. 

‘I was taking a tactical stance. You’re ultimately hoping that your commands will be complied with, and ultimately they were not,’ Byrd said.

Babbitt’s family’s lawyer argued he never gave commands. He told Holt during the interview he yelled multiple times, ‘Stop. Get back.’

He said he fired a single fatal gunshot, striking Babbitt in the left shoulder, ‘as a last resort.’

‘You’re taught to aim for center mass the subject was sideways, and I could not see the full motion of her hands or anything so I guess her movement caused the discharge to fall where it did,’ Byrd said.

‘I tried to wait as long as I could. I hoped and prayed no one tried to enter through those doors.

‘But their failure to comply required me to take the appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers.’

DailyMail.com has contacted the DOJ for comment. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
ANTHONY HOPKINS reveals a life of abuse and addiction

Anthony Hopkins Opens Up About His Journey Through Abuse and Addiction

Renowned as one of Britain’s most distinguished actors, Anthony Hopkins seemed poised…
Remembering the many visits with Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit

Reflecting on the Numerous Visits of Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit

Farewell to Thailand’s gem As the years pass, saying goodbye to cherished…
Three US Air Force members dead in suspected murder suicide in Ohio

Tragic Incident in Ohio: Three Air Force Personnel Found Dead in Possible Murder-Suicide

The tragic deaths of three U.S. Air Force personnel have sent shockwaves…
Category 4 Hurricane Melissa slams into Cuba after hammering Jamaica

Devastating Impact: Hurricane Melissa Rages Through Cuba and Jamaica with Category 4 Fury

Hurricane Melissa struck Cuba early Wednesday after wreaking havoc across Jamaica, where…
The DNA twist that could change everything for Jennifer Kesse's family

DNA Breakthrough Offers New Hope for Jennifer Kesse’s Family

Drew Kesse has been seeking answers for nearly two decades regarding the…
Police use Flock cameras to wrongfully accuse Denver woman of theft

Flock Cameras Misfire: Denver Woman Falsely Accused of Theft – A Cautionary Tale

A Denver resident claims she was mistakenly accused of theft after authorities…
Jaguars' Arik Armstead hosts dozens of local kids for a career camp

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Arik Armstead Empowers Local Youth with Career Development Camp

The Armstead Academic Project is known for organizing impactful events aimed at…
DHS shares 'video evidence' to justify Border Patrol's tear gas use during chaotic Chicago immigration raid

DHS Releases Video to Support Use of Tear Gas in Controversial Chicago Immigration Operation

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled video evidence that it…