Military funeral promised for January 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt, Air Force announces confirmation
In a controversial move, the United States Air Force has decided to grant full military honours to Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran who was fatally shot by police during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. This decision comes after a settlement between the Trump administration and Babbitt's family over a wrongful death lawsuit, following her death during the riot.
Ashli Babbitt, a prolific social media user, embraced conspiracy theories such as the "pizzagate" disinformation campaign and QAnon. She was among the rioters seeking to break into the House chamber on that fateful day. As Babbitt tried to climb through a broken window, U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd fired one shot, killing her. Byrd was later cleared of wrongdoing by the Justice Department and Capitol Police.
Babbitt's death has remained a right-wing rallying cry, casting her as a martyr. The conservative legal group Judicial Watch has long been pushing for Babbitt to receive full military funeral honours. The Air Force spokesperson reviewed the circumstances of Babbitt's death and offered Military Funeral Honours to her family. The Air Force's decision marks a significant reversal from the earlier Biden administration's stance and has caused considerable controversy.
The Air Force's announcement follows an estate lawsuit filed by Babbitt's family against the U.S. government in early 2024. A representative for Babbitt's family could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday.
It is important to note that Babbitt went to Washington to protest Donald Trump's defeat in the 2020 election. Her involvement in the Capitol riot, which aimed to overturn the election results, resulted in her tragic death.
This news serves as a reminder of the events of January 6, 2021, and the ongoing debate surrounding the actions of those involved and the consequences they face. The Air Force's decision to grant full military honours to Babbitt is a significant development in this story and will likely continue to generate discussion and debate in the days and weeks to come.
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