Military funeral honors extended to Ashli Babbitt, Capitol riot participant, under Trump administration

US Air Force Veteran Ashli Babbitt to Receive Military Honors

The family of Ashli Babbitt, a US Air Force veteran who was killed during the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, will finally receive military honors. The decision was made by the Department of Defense in July 2021, following a review of the circumstances surrounding her death.

Babbitt, a senior airman from California, was attempting to climb through a broken window of a barricaded door leading to the Speaker's Lobby inside the Capitol when she was shot dead. She was wearing a Trump campaign flag wrapped around her shoulders at the time.

Initially, the Biden administration denied the family's request for military honors. However, after a thorough review, the decision was reversed. A letter from the Air Force under secretary, Matthew Lohmeier, was written to Babbitt's family, inviting them to meet him at the Pentagon. In the letter, Lohmeier stated that the previous determination regarding Babbitt's death was incorrect after reviewing the circumstances and considering new information.

Lohmeier described the decision as "long overdue." Conservative legal group Judicial Watch had been advocating for Babbitt's family and shared a post about the decision to offer military honors.

Babbitt served in the US Air Force and was killed at the age of 35. Her death during the Capitol attack sparked controversy and debate. The Trump administration is now offering military funeral honors for Babbitt.

The family's request for military honors was first made soon after Babbitt's death. However, it was not until July 2021 that the decision was made to grant their request. The exact details of the military honors have not been announced.

This decision is significant as it marks a rare instance of a person involved in the Capitol attack receiving military honors. Babbitt's case has been a contentious one, with some arguing that her actions during the attack were unpatriotic, while others maintain that she was a patriot who was wrongfully killed. Regardless of one's views, the offer of military honors is a recognition of Babbitt's service to her country.

As more details emerge about the military honors for Ashli Babbitt, we will continue to update this story. In the meantime, we extend our condolences to Babbitt's family and friends.

Military funeral honors extended to Ashli Babbitt, Capitol riot participant, under Trump administration