Trump DOJ Reaches Settlement With Family of Ashli Babbitt
Charlie Kirk Staff
05/20/2025

The family of Ashli Babbitt, the veteran who was shot and killed during the January 6, 2021, riot at the United States Capitol, has reached a settlement with the administration of President Donald Trump.
The Department of Justice is reportedly prepared to settle the $30 million lawsuit brought by Babbitt’s family for $5 million, The Daily Wire reported.
The family has been represented by the conservative legal watchdog Judicial Watch, whose president, Tom Fitton, dispelled some online rumors in a post on X.
“[Judicial Watch] can’t yet comment on the Ashli Babbitt settlement amount that is being reported because the settlement still hasn’t been finalized. But I can say, contrary to initial WPOST report, [Judicial Watch] is not getting a third (or any portion) of any settlement. We are representing Ashil’s family pro bono!” he said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said in April 2021, after an investigation into the shooting, concluded that the Capitol police officer who shot Babbitt did not violate federal laws “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“The focus of the criminal investigation was to determine whether federal prosecutors could prove that the officer violated any federal laws, concentrating on the possible application of 18 U.S.C. § 242, a federal criminal civil rights statute. In order to establish a violation of this statute, prosecutors must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer acted willfully to deprive Ms. Babbitt of a right protected by the Constitution or other law, here the Fourth Amendment right not to be subjected to an unreasonable seizure. Prosecutors would have to prove not only that the officer used force that was constitutionally unreasonable, but that the officer did so ‘willfully,’ which the Supreme Court has interpreted to mean that the officer acted with a bad purpose to disregard the law. As this requirement has been interpreted by the courts, evidence that an officer acted out of fear, mistake, panic, misperception, negligence, or even poor judgment cannot establish the high level of intent required under Section 242,” the report said.
“The investigation revealed no evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer willfully committed a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242. Specifically, the investigation revealed no evidence to establish that, at the time the officer fired a single shot at Ms. Babbitt, the officer did not reasonably believe that it was necessary to do so in self-defense or in defense of the Members of Congress and others evacuating the House Chamber. Acknowledging the tragic loss of life and offering condolences to Ms. Babbitt’s family, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Department of Justice have therefore closed the investigation into this matter,” it said.