Ashli Babbitt Lawsuit Settled, Trump Administration Pays $4.975 Million to Family After January 6 Shooting
The Trump administration settled the Ashli Babbitt wrongful death lawsuit in May 2025, agreeing to pay her family $4.975 million. The lawsuit—originally seeking $30 million—alleged that U.S. Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd used excessive force when he fatally shot the 35-year-old Air Force veteran as she attempted to climb through a barricaded doorway during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The case, filed in January 2024 by conservative legal group Judicial Watch, was scheduled for trial on July 20, 2026, but settled before reaching a jury.
Who Was Ashli Babbitt?
Ashli Babbitt was a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from San Diego who owned a pool servicing business with her husband, Aaron. She served 12 years in the military, including deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar, and reached the rank of senior airman.
By 2020, Babbitt had become deeply involved in far-right conspiracy theories and was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump. She traveled alone from California to Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, to attend the “Save America” rally at the Ellipse.
What happened next made her a polarizing figure—a martyr to some, a rioter to others.
What Happened on January 6, 2021?
After Trump’s rally, Babbitt joined hundreds of his supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. By early afternoon, rioters had breached multiple security perimeters and were trying to reach lawmakers who were still being evacuated.
Babbitt was at the front of a mob attempting to break into the Speaker’s Lobby—a hallway directly adjacent to the House chamber where members of Congress were sheltering. Rioters had smashed the glass panels in the doorway. Security had barricaded the doors and were pointing guns at the crowd.
According to video footage captured that day, Babbitt climbed into the broken window opening. That’s when Lieutenant Michael Byrd fired a single shot, hitting her in the shoulder. She was rushed to Washington Hospital Center but died from her injuries.
The U.S. Capitol Police later stated that Byrd “potentially saved members and staff from serious injury and possible death from a large crowd of rioters.”
What Did the Babbitt Family Lawsuit Claim?
On January 5, 2024, Judicial Watch filed a wrongful death lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on behalf of Babbitt’s estate and her husband, Aaron. The lawsuit sought $30 million and included claims of:
Wrongful death – alleging Byrd used excessive force without justification.
Assault and battery – claiming Byrd acted recklessly and without proper assessment.
Negligence – arguing the U.S. Capitol Police failed to properly train, supervise, and discipline Byrd.
The lawsuit’s central allegation was that Babbitt posed no threat when she was shot. According to the complaint, “Her hands were up in the air, empty, and in plain view of Lt. Byrd and other officers nearby.” The lawsuit claimed Byrd later admitted he shot Babbitt before seeing her hands, assessing her intentions, or even identifying her as female.
The family also argued that Byrd failed to identify himself as law enforcement or issue any verbal warnings before firing.
How Did the Government Respond?
Under President Joe Biden’s administration, the Department of Justice vigorously opposed the lawsuit. The government argued that Byrd acted lawfully to protect members of Congress from a violent mob.
In 2021, the DOJ conducted an internal investigation and cleared Byrd of criminal wrongdoing. The U.S. Capitol Police also conducted its own investigation and found that Byrd’s actions were consistent with department policy.
The case was originally scheduled for trial in December 2025, but Judge Ana Reyes pushed it to July 20, 2026, after both sides said they needed more time for discovery. The judge warned the case would not become a “sweeping inquiry” into January 6, limiting how much the parties could dig into broader events that day.
Then Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election and returned to office in January 2025. Everything changed.
Why Did the Trump Administration Settle?
In May 2025, the Trump administration reversed the Biden DOJ’s position and agreed to settle for $4.975 million—far less than the $30 million originally demanded, but a significant payout nonetheless.
Trump had repeatedly praised Babbitt during his 2024 campaign, calling her an “innocent” patriot who was unjustly killed. In a video statement, Trump said: “There was no reason Ashli should’ve lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family.”
After taking office, Trump issued pardons for more than 1,500 people convicted of crimes related to January 6. Settling the Babbitt lawsuit aligned with his broader approach to the Capitol riot—treating participants as political prisoners rather than criminals.
What Does This Settlement Mean?
The settlement does not establish that Byrd acted wrongfully. Settlements are not admissions of guilt—they’re business decisions to avoid the cost and uncertainty of trial.
But the Babbitt case highlights the complex legal questions surrounding wrongful death lawsuits against law enforcement. When can officers use lethal force? What duty do they owe to protect others? How do courts balance an individual’s rights against public safety during a riot?
Similar cases—like the family of Breonna Taylor receiving $12 million after Louisville police shot her during a raid—show that wrongful death settlements often reflect political and public pressure as much as legal merit.
Common Questions About the Ashli Babbitt Lawsuit
Was the case settled or did it go to trial?
The case settled in May 2025 for $4.975 million before reaching trial. The trial had been scheduled for July 20, 2026.
Did the settlement admit wrongdoing?
No. Settlements are not admissions of guilt. The government settled to avoid trial costs and uncertainty.
Was Ashli Babbitt unarmed?
Media initially reported she was unarmed, but a crime scene examination later found a pocketknife in her clothing. However, she was not actively wielding a weapon when shot.
Was Officer Byrd charged?
No. Both the Department of Justice and U.S. Capitol Police investigated and cleared Byrd of wrongdoing.
What happened to the other January 6 defendants?
Over 1,500 people were charged with crimes related to January 6. President Trump pardoned most of them after taking office in January 2025.
Last Updated: January 27, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
The Ashli Babbitt settlement represents a controversial chapter in January 6 accountability. Whether you see it as justice for a grieving family or a political payoff depends largely on your view of that day’s events.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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