“Justice Department to settle Ashli Babbitt lawsuit for $5 million”

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a $5 million settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, the Air Force veteran who was fatally shot by a U.S. Capitol Police officer during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach. The settlement resolves a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Babbitt’s family, who had originally sought $30 million in damages.

According to law enforcement officials who spoke to multiple media outlets, the agreement was finalized in principle earlier this month under the Trump administration, although the specific settlement amount was not publicly disclosed until now.

Babbitt, 36, was shot by Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd while attempting to climb through a shattered glass panel leading into the Speaker’s Lobby, a restricted area near the House chamber. The incident was captured on video and became a focal point in the broader public discourse surrounding the Capitol riot and the government’s response.

The family’s lawsuit alleged that Lt. Byrd used excessive force and acted negligently in discharging his weapon. It also claimed that Byrd was not in uniform at the time of the incident, which they argued contributed to confusion during the confrontation.

Outgoing U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger confirmed the settlement in comments to CNN and expressed disagreement with the Justice Department’s decision. “I was extremely disappointed, and I disagreed with the Department of Justice’s decision to settle this lawsuit,” Manger said, noting that a 2021 internal investigation cleared Byrd of wrongdoing. “This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours.”

The DOJ has not publicly commented on the settlement, and the finalization timeline remains unclear.

The case has drawn ongoing political and legal scrutiny, given the highly charged nature of the January 6 events and the divided public opinion surrounding Babbitt’s death. Legal experts note that settlements of this kind do not necessarily indicate an admission of fault but often reflect strategic decisions to avoid protracted litigation.

Further details on the terms of the settlement and potential implications for similar cases involving use of force by federal officers have yet to be released.

Rewritten. Source article posted here: https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/justice-department-settle-ashli-babbitt-lawsuit-5-million