Senator Tries to Block Full Military Honors for Ashli Babbitt
Micki Witthoeft, center, mother of Ashli Babbitt, joins protesters outside the Supreme Court on Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is introducing legislation aimed at preventing the U.S. military from granting full funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, the Air Force veteran fatally shot during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, told CBS News that his motivation stems from his service experience and the funerals he’s attended for fallen Marines. “The idea that they’re giving this to a person who actively tried to overthrow the government, who was violent in nature, who knowingly entered a restricted area while we were trying to conduct the peaceful transfer of power—this isn’t something that should be accepted without a fight,” Gallego said.
The legislation comes in response to a recent reversal by the U.S. Air Force, which will now allow Babbitt to receive full military funeral honors. The change was disclosed by Judicial Watch, the conservative legal group representing Babbitt’s family. In a letter released by the group, Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier informed Babbitt’s family that he had reviewed the case and found the Air Force’s original 2021 decision to deny honors was “incorrect.”
Lohmeier also extended an invitation to Babbitt’s mother and husband to visit the Pentagon and offered his condolences in a handwritten note, signing it simply, “Matt.”
Babbitt, who served 14 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, was shot by Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd while attempting to climb through a barricaded door inside the Capitol. Shortly after the incident, Air Force officials denied the family’s request for funeral honors, citing concerns that her actions on January 6 would “bring discredit upon the Air Force.”
The recent policy reversal follows a nearly $5 million settlement reached earlier this year between the federal government and Babbitt’s family.
Military funeral honors typically include a ceremonial detail of at least two service members, the playing of taps, and the presentation of the U.S. flag to the next of kin.
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