The U.S. Capitol Police lieutenant who shot and killed Jan. 6 protester Ashli Babbitt was housed for six months in a hotel suite reserved for top brass at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, according to newly released Air Force records.
Capitol Police paid for a suite for Lt. Michael Byrd and a “pet” at the hotel inside the fenced base from July 2021 to January 2022 for thousands of dollars, according to documents obtained by Judicial Watch.
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Byrd, who did not face any charges in the killing of the unarmed Babbitt, revealed his role in August 2021 and said that he had been threatened for his actions. Capitol Police did not immediately explain why they housed Byrd at the Presidential Inn, a military-only facility on Andrews.
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told Secrets he was surprised that Byrd was housed at the base at taxpayer expense.
“How in Lord’s name does the Defense Department get involved in providing security?” he said. “So now the Defense Department is at the beck and call to help manage someone involved in a police shooting? It’s crazy.”
Fitton released 31 pages of documents in the latest release of Jan. 6-related information the watchdog group has uncovered.
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Babbitt, 35, was the only person involved in the Capitol riots to die on Jan. 6. She was shot trying to enter the Speaker’s Lobby at the back of the House chamber.
Explaining his action, Byrd said he felt she was endangering his colleagues. “I know that day I saved countless lives,” he said.
