Air Force Grants Full Military Honors to Ashli Babbitt After Earlier Denial
The U.S. Air Force has reversed its earlier decision to deny military honors to deceased Senior Airman Ashli Babbitt, who was killed by a U.S. Capitol Police officer during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in 2021. The decision to grant honors came after a reevaluation of the circumstances of her death and a previous wrongful death settlement in which the government paid the Babbitt family nearly $5 million.
The Air Force leadership, under the Biden administration, had previously denied the request for military funeral honors in February 2021. However, the decision now has been made to grant these honors, with an undersecretary of the Air Force expressing that the earlier determination was incorrect. The Air Force has offered military funeral honors to SrA Babbitt’s family, with the undersecretary stating that this decision was made after reviewing all the available information.
Babbitt was shot and killed by a U.S. Capitol Police officer as she attempted to forcibly gain access to the Capitol chambers during the events of Jan. 6. Roughly three months later, the Department of Justice announced it would not be pursuing criminal charges against the officer who shot Babbitt. The incident sparked both praise and criticism from various parties, with some viewing the decision to restore honors as a step toward justice, while others saw it as an inappropriate move.
General Michael Flynn, a longtime Trump confidant and former National Security Advisor, praised the decision, calling it a display of a leader’s responsibility. Meanwhile, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., criticized the move, stating that Babbitt had dishonored her service by committing insurrection against her country. This disagreement reflects the polarized views surrounding the handling of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and its fallout.
The decision to grant Babbitt military honors has also drawn attention from former Capitol Police officer Aquilino Gonell, who described the event as one of the worst days of his life. He stated that the move to restore honors was a slap in the face for those who were injured during the attack on the Capitol.
The reversal of the Air Force’s initial decision highlights the ongoing discussions and debates regarding the treatment of those involved in the Jan. 6 event, with the military honors being viewed as a significant gesture in the broader context of the aftermath of the Capitol riot.
In summary, the decision to award Ashli Babbitt military honors represents a complex interplay of legal, emotional, and political considerations, reflecting the ongoing impact of the events of Jan. 6, and the varied perspectives within the American public on how to address such incidents.