The U.S. Air Force has announced it will provide military funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, a protester killed during the January 6 Capitol attack, reversing an earlier denial under the Biden administration. The decision comes amid ongoing efforts by former President Donald Trump to reframe the events of that day.
Babbitt, 35, was shot by a Capitol police officer while attempting to enter the House chamber through a barricaded door during the riot. She had served in the Air Force and Air National Guard. The Air Force initially refused honors in February 2021, citing concerns about “bringing discredit upon the Air Force” due to the circumstances of her death. However, under the current administration, officials reviewed new information and concluded the previous determination was incorrect.
The announcement followed a $5 million wrongful death settlement paid by the government to Babbitt’s family in July. The Trump administration had previously settled the case, while the Biden administration resisted but eventually agreed to the terms. A Capitol police officer involved in the shooting was cleared of wrongdoing, with investigators concluding he acted in self-defense.
The move aligns with broader efforts by Trump and his allies to recharacterize the January 6 assault as a legitimate political act rather than an insurrection.