By LawInspectsAlright, we all know how big of a deal January 6th was, and how it was dubbed as one of the darkest days in the modern history of the USA’s political scene. From that time, you must remember Ashli Babbitt’s name, right? Well, she was a 35-year-old Air Force veteran who, unfortunately, was shot down at the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. And sure enough, this Ashli Babbitt Lawsuit is all about that. So, if you didn’t know what went down back then and what the update is regarding this case right now, then just keep on reading. That’s all! Here we go then.
What Really Happened on January 6?
So, January 6, 2021, really did get rather crazy at the U.S. Capitol, no doubt about it. A bunch of individuals in support of former President Donald Trump attempted to force their way into the Capitol in an effort to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election. That truly was a big thing back then, and it was so big of a thing that people still talk about it to this day, and you’ll often see more liberal/left-leaning people criticizing Trump for that. And in the middle of this drama was Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran. So, while she was trying to crawl on this broken glass door off the Speaker’s Lobby, a restricted area, Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd shot her. They took Babbitt to the hospital but, sadly, she didn’t make it.
Why Was She Shot? What the Authorities Said
Well, so far from the true accounts, we know that the authorities explained that the officer was simply exercising his responsibility/duty to protect the lawmakers because they were being relocated close by. Lt. Byrd explained that he himself could not really see if Babbitt had a weapon, and she entirely ignored the instructions to move back. Some witnesses explained she was not acting violently, but others indicated warnings were given and she did not listen. In either scenario, her death was made into a big deal, especially among Trump supporters.
From a Protest to a Symbol, Yet, It’s Kinda A Sad Story
After she passed away, Babbitt’s name was thrown around pretty heavily in political discourse. How and why? She was labeled a patriot by former President Trump, saying she was just standing there like totally innocently. Her mother, Micki Witthoeft, started protesting outside the D.C. jail, where the other January 6 detainees were being held. As time went on, you’d see Babbitt’s name come up more at rallies, speeches, and all over social media, with her being a symbol for people who feel the government went a step too far.
Then Comes The $30 Million Ashli Babbitt Lawsuit
So, last month in January 2024, Babbitt’s estate and her husband did sue the US government for a bizarre $30 million. They argued that she was unarmed, put up her hands, and posed no threat whatsoever. And, that the officer wasn’t even in uniform and did not in fact give a clear warning before firing. Judicial Watch, this right-wing legal organization, totally had their backs on this.
What the Government Did
So, even though the investigation actually cleared the officer of wrongdoing, the Justice Department opted to settle. That’s because the people are divided in two groups regarding this case, and the ones who are supporting her family are saying that there was no reason to shoot her. Still, in May 2025, they paid Babbitt’s family more than just under $5 million. Some of that will be used to hire lawyers, sure enough. A lot of police and lawmakers were extremely critical of that action right away, and? Well, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger strongly disavowed the settlement, saying that it might lead officers to second-guess themselves in precarious situations. Some Democratic leaders said that the settlement was utterly political.
The Thing Is: There Still Is A Big Divide In The Nation
People remain pretty divided about this, even though it has been more than 4 years since Ashli was shot down. To this day, her supporters think that the settlement means she was unjustly killed. Others suggest that it doesn’t actually prove that the officer was culpable at all, but that the government simply didn’t want to have a long court battle. For many, this case is just part of the bigger discussion of what really happened on January 6 and how we are deciding to remember it.