The Trump administration has agreed to pay nearly $5 million to the family of the deceased Jan. 6 protester Ashli Babbitt, who was killed by Capitol Police, Babbitt’s attorneys announced Friday.
The police fatally shot Babbitt after she tried to enter the Speaker’s Lobby during the Capitol storming on Jan. 6, 2021.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger told CBS News in May that he was informed of the decision, first reported weeks ago and confirmed on Friday. He said then that he learned of the settlement amount “a few weeks ago” and sent a message the same day to the police force expressing his disagreement.
“I told them I was extremely disappointed, and I disagreed with the Department of Justice’s decision to settle this lawsuit,” he said.
The lawsuit accused Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd of being negligent in his use of force and that he failed to “de-escalate” the situation. “Ashli was unarmed,” according to the lawsuit. “Her hands were up in the air, empty, and in plain view of Lt. Byrd and other officers in the lobby. Ashli posed no threat to the safety of anyone.”
Judicial Watch called the $4.975 million settlement “historic” and “necessary.” The wrongful death lawsuit was brought in San Diego on Jan. 5, 2024, against the Biden administration. The case was later transferred to the District of Columbia.
“This fair settlement is a historic and necessary step for justice for Ashli Babbitt’s family,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. “Ashli should never have been killed, and this settlement destroys the evil, partisan narrative that justified her outrageous killing and protected her killer.”
“Judicial Watch’s team spent years investigating, litigating, and exposing the truth about Ashli’s homicide,” he continued. “And credit goes to the hundreds of thousands of Judicial Watch supporters who fought this cause! President Trump was an absolute rock in supporting Ashli’s family and advocating for justice!”
The lawsuit had been set to go to trial in January 2026.
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An August 2021 review of Byrd’s actions showed “the officer’s conduct was lawful and within Department policy” and that he would not be facing discipline.
Federal lawyers indicated in March that they wanted to settle the case, and they reached a settlement in principle this month. Babbitt’s family was originally seeking $30 million in the wrongful death lawsuit.
