In a tragic reminder of the events of January 6, 2021, the Trump administration is preparing to pay nearly $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was killed by a Capitol police officer.
See the tweet below!
The settlement stems from a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by Babbitt’s estate and Judicial Watch.
The suit alleged negligence by the Capitol Police officer who shot Babbitt as she attempted to breach a window near the Speaker’s lobby.
The officer claimed the action was a “last resort” under the intense circumstances.
The Trump administration’s willingness to settle stands in sharp contrast to findings from both the Justice Department and U.S. Capitol Police.
These investigations cleared the officer of any wrongdoing, emphasizing that his actions “potentially saved Members and staff from serious injury and possible death.”
“In 2021, the DOJ investigation determined no wrongdoing by police. This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours,” said Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger.
President Trump was vocal in his support of Babbitt, portraying her as a martyr for the MAGA movement.
He likened the January 6 events to a day of “patriotism” and even proposed compensation for other participants, referring to them as “patriots.”
A significant portion of the settlement will go to Babbitt’s family lawyers, but the gesture remains: a hefty compensation from a president who has continually framed the events of that day through a lens of nationalistic pride.
In Trump’s words, “Her memory will live on in our hearts for all time.”
Legal and political implications aside, the settlement opens a heated debate about the interpretation and handling of January 6.
While some see this as a financial closure, others, like Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger, express “extreme disappointment” in what this means for security and law enforcement practices.
With nearly one-third of the settlement going towards legal fees and with Trump having granted clemency to those charged during the protest, his administration’s actions continue to fuel the debates dividing the nation.
Whether this settlement represents a genuine attempt at justice or a strategic move to honor Trump’s vision, the repercussions will undoubtedly ripple through the political landscape for years to come.
NEW: The Trump administration is set to pay out nearly $5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the family of Ashli Babbitt, a rioter fatally shot during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, sources told ABC News on Monday. https://t.co/wA0IINWDcB
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 19, 2025
