Trump Strikes Deal With Ashli Babbitt’s Family — $30M Lawsuit Over Capitol Shooting Settled To Avoid Trial

The Trump administration has quietly reached a settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, the Trump supporter fatally shot during the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021.

Sources confirmed to CBS News that both sides agreed to the settlement in principle, though it has yet to be officially signed. This move helps avoid a high-profile trial in the $30 million civil lawsuit filed on behalf of Babbitt’s estate, led by conservative group Judicial Watch.

Attorneys for Babbitt’s estate claimed she was unarmed, her hands raised and visible when she was shot while attempting to climb through a shattered window into the Speaker’s Lobby, just steps from where Members of Congress were evacuating.

The Justice Department, which defended Byrd, stood by its conclusion that he acted lawfully to protect lawmakers. In its filings, the department explained that Babbitt had unlawfully entered the Capitol, where she attempted to breach a barricaded area. Byrd, stationed on the other side, fired a single fatal shot to prevent further danger.

An internal review by Capitol Police in August 2021 cleared Byrd of wrongdoing, calling his actions potentially life-saving as rioters neared the House Chamber.

This chapter comes after a sweeping move by President Trump, who, shortly after taking office, pardoned over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants and ousted prosecutors involved in the Jan. 6 cases. Brendan Ballou, a former prosecutor, accused the administration of trying to erase the history of that day.

“The goal is to make Jan. 6 forgotten,” Ballou told CBS News. “Many political careers depend on that.”

With the settlement near completion, the Babbitt family’s lawsuit will close, but debates over accountability and the legacy of January 6 continue to stir the nation.