The decision to give military funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, the Air Force veteran shot during the January 6 Capitol riot, has caused a lot of controversy.
Babbitt was shot by a Capitol police officer while trying to enter the Speaker’s Lobby through a barricaded door on January 6. An investigation found that the officer’s actions were justified.
After her death, Babbitt was initially denied military honors under the Biden administration. But Matthew Lohmeier, the under secretary of the Air Force, said in a letter to Babbitt’s family that he was “persuaded that the previous determination was incorrect” after reviewing new information about her death, according to Judicial Watch.
The decision has caused backlash online.
Why It Matters
This decision shows a shift under President Donald Trump, who has already given pardons to some January 6 defendants. Some critics say that giving Babbitt military honors goes too far by supporting the rioters and confusing the line between serving the country and attacking democratic institutions.
What To Know
The decision to grant Babbitt military funeral honors caused outrage on social media, with veterans, lawmakers, and activists criticizing it.
Podcaster Ryan Shead wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “As an Airman myself, allow me to say this is complete bulls**t. This reversal deeply disrespects every honorable soldier who’s had our Stars and Stripes draped over their casket as Taps play in the background.”
“This is disgusting,” former congressman Adam Kinzinger wrote on X.
Writer and LGBTQ activist Charlotte Clymer wrote on X: “Ashli Babbitt was a grown ass adult who made a series of conscious, ill-advised decisions to engage in treasonous behavior, and she got exactly what she deserved. She was a traitor. She was a threat to national security. There is no nuance needed here.”
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton celebrated the decision, saying the group was “proud to have done its part” in giving Babbitt’s family “a measure of justice and accountability.”
Judicial Watch has long advocated for Babbitt to receive full military funeral honors, presenting her as a victim of government misconduct.
These honors usually include the playing of Taps, a flag presentation, and uniformed service members participating in the ceremony.
Babbitt, who was wearing a Trump flag when she was shot, had shared right-wing conspiracy theories online, including the false “pizzagate” claim that a D.C. pizza shop was running a child-trafficking ring connected to Democratic officials.
During her military career, Babbitt served in the Air Force and was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates.
Her family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the federal government. After Trump returned to the White House, his administration agreed to pay the family nearly $5 million to resolve the case.
The decision faced criticism from Thomas Manger, the former chief of the Capitol Police. He said in May, “I am extremely disappointed and disagree with this settlement. This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours.”
This settlement reflected a broader shift in Trump’s approach to January 6 prosecutions. His administration pardoned about 1,500 people charged or convicted in connection with the riot. It also replaced many federal prosecutors with attorneys who had defended rioters. One had even compared the prosecutions to the Holocaust. The Justice Department hired Jared Wise, a former FBI agent who joined the mob on January 6 and allegedly encouraged rioters to attack police. His prosecution was underway when Trump took office but was dismissed before a verdict.
Trump has consistently called the rioters “patriots” and “political prisoners,” framing the Capitol attack as a protest rather than an attempt to overturn the 2020 election.
What People Are Saying
A Department of the Air Force spokesperson told Politico: “After reviewing the circumstances of SrA Babbitt’s death, the Air Force has offered Military Funeral Honors to SrA Babbitt’s family.”
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton added: “Ashli Babbitt’s family is grateful to President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and Under Secretary Lohmeier for reversing the Biden Defense Department’s cruel decision to deny Ashli funeral honors as a distinguished veteran of the Air Force.
“Judicial Watch’s team spent years investigating, litigating, and exposing the truth about Ashli’s homicide. We are proud to have helped bring her family some justice and accountability. Our fight for justice will continue.”
What Happens Next
Babbitt was cremated in 2021. It is unclear how granting military funeral honors will be carried out in practice.
