By Katherine Tinsley
1:59pm PDT, May 20, 2025
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Donald Trump's administration will pay
Ashli Babbitt's family almost $5 million after the MAGA supporter was shot and killed by police when she attempted to storm the House Speaker's Lobby during the January 6, 2021, insurrection.
Keep reading for the details…
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According to the
New York Post, the Justice Department settled with Ashli Babbitt's family to pay just under $5 million to Babbitt's estate, which initially asked for $30 million.
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Chief of the United States Capitol Police Tom Manger was shocked by the decision.
"I told them I was extremely disappointed, and I disagreed with the Department of Justice's decision to settle this lawsuit," Manger told his team, according to the New York Post.
"In 2021, the DOJ said that there was no evidence to show that law enforcement broke the law. After a thorough investigation, it was determined to be a justified shooting," he added. "This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement officers across our nation — especially those who have a protective mission like ours."
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U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd shot Ashli Babbitt as she attempted to climb through a barricaded door.
The Air Force veteran's family accused Byrd of negligence and failing to "de-escalate" the riot, and they later claimed "Ashli posed no threat to the safety of anyone."
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Michael Byrd was cleared of any wrongdoing. His lawyer, Mark Schamel, continues to state that his client followed orders in order to protect the Capitol and lawmakers.
"Consistent with the most recent ruling by the Supreme Court on the use of force by officers, Lieutenant Byrd did exactly what he was supposed to have done that day to protect the elected officials he was sworn to protect," Schamel told The Washington Post.
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Donald Trump has urged for leniency against insurrectionists, and the president has previously painted Ashli Babbitt as a hero.
