On Friday, Judicial Watch revealed that the family of Ashli Babbitt will receive a $4.975 million settlement from the federal government. Ashli, a United States Air Force veteran, was killed on January 6th, 2021, by a Capitol Police officer, Michael Byrd. 

The Trump administration will pay a $4.975 million settlement in the lawsuit over the wrongful death of Ashli Babbitt, who was killed by a U.S. Capitol Police officer after storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Babbitt — a 35-year-old from California and veteran of the Air Force who went to Washington for President Donald Trump’s rally — was among an early group of rioters that reached the doors of the Speaker’s Lobby, adjacent to the House chamber, while lawmakers were still evacuating.

Details of the settlement were released by Judicial Watch, a pro-Trump advocacy group that represented her estate and family members in the lawsuit. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to request to comment.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton took to his X account to laud the settlement:

It is official. The lawsuit has been settled. I am thrilled for Ashli's family. https://t.co/O5b60iv28Y

— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) June 6, 2025

In the video posted to social media, Fitton said he "can confirm that the parties in the Ashli Babbitt wrongful death lawsuit have agreed to a settlement in principle." 

"Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of Ashli Babbitt's family..." he continued. "The settlement should be finalized within the next few weeks. So it's great news for justice for Ashli Babbitt, and I can tell you, justice for Ashli can't come soon enough. So we're looking forward to getting this done. Thank you."

A "settlement in principle" means that all parties have agreed to a set of terms, but the final settlement has not yet been finalized and signed. So, this isn't done yet, but this is a major hurdle crossed.

See Also: Trump Promises 'Major Pardons' for J6 Defendants

Report: Here Are the Details on That Ashli Babbitt Settlement

What's less clear is why the Capitol Police officer who shot an unarmed woman, Michael Byrd, has not received so much as a reprimand for what appears to be a bad shoot. Byrd was investigated and cleared by local and federal authorities and has received no disciplinary action.

An outgoing Capitol Police chief, Thomas Manger, disapproved of the settlement:

The settlement is likely to inflame tensions on Capitol Hill over the riot. Outgoing Capitol Police chief Thomas Manger blasted the reported settlement last month, saying it “sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours.”

Babbitt was one of many protestors who were in the Capitol on January 6. President Trump has issued sweeping pardons to the J6 protesters. Trump's pardons have been criticized by the left, but those pardons, along with the settlement for Ashli Babbitt's wrongful death, are probably the best way to put this incident behind us.

[Editor's Note: This article was edited for content post-publication.]

Editor's Note: The Deep State is working overtime to subvert President Trump's agenda and the will of the people.

Help RedState continue to tell the truth about the efforts of unelected career government officials working against the American people. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.