DOJ Plans $35 Million Settlement in Ashli Babbitt Case

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement in principle with the family of Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran and supporter of President Trump who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The agreement, disclosed during a federal court hearing, resolves a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Babbitt's estate, which alleged negligence by the officer and the Capitol Police. The specific terms, including any monetary compensation, have not been finalized or publicly disclosed. Internal investigations previously cleared the officer, Lt. Michael Byrd, of wrongdoing. The case has been a focal point for political debate, with Babbitt’s death becoming a rallying point for some on the political right. The settlement follows the Justice Department’s decision to reconsider its legal position after the 2024 presidential transition.