'Sick to my stomach': Critics appalled as taxpayers ordered to pay $5M to J6 rioter's kin
Critics of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurgency were dumbfounded to learn that the Trump administration had agreed to pay nearly $5 million to the family of slain rioter Ashli Babbitt, as first reported by The Washington Post.
An internal Justice Department investigation in 2021 under President Joe Biden cleared a U.S. Capitol Police officer of any wrongdoing for shooting Babbitt as she tried to breach the barricaded House Speaker’s Lobby, but the Trump administration reversed that ruling. President Donald Trump has framed Babbitt as a "martyr" and "patriot."
"Absolutely disgraceful," attorney Mark S. Zaid posted to X. "This will be an historical black stain - among so many others - on this Administration & those senior officials in Justice Department forever."
"American tax dollars going to an insurrectionist," wrote Blue Georgia.
Former federal prosecutor Peter Zeidenberg posted, "Hey DOGE: got a scoop on where you could find $5M in waste; hope you jump on this! U.S. to pay nearly $5 million to family of Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt."
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Journalist Brian Krassenstein wrote, "U.S. taxpayers will reportedly be on the hook for nearly $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt. That’s right—you and I are paying millions to the estate of a woman who illegally stormed the U.S. Capitol, ignored repeated police warnings, and attempted to force her way into the Speaker’s Lobby—just feet away from lawmakers certifying a democratic election. Imagine if someone breached the White House fence, entered the White House and was trying to enter the Oval office to get to Trump. Would you want their family compensated if they were killed by Secret Service?"
The account of @ChidiNwatu told his 32,000 followers that Trump himself should foot the bill.
"Any compensation for Ashli Babbitt’s death should be covered by the person responsible for her demise - Trump, rather than being funded by taxpayers' money."
Political commentator Russell Drew wrote, "I can't help but think this $5M payment by the Department of Justice to the family of Ashli Babbitt is a reward, not a settlement. It makes me sick to my stomach to see them validate such treasonous, violent behavior. January 6 was a disgrace."
Writer Andrea Junker sought to clarify the situation, telling her 250,000 followers, "Let’s get this straight, once and for all: Ashli Babbitt died while committing an armed insurrection. She died while following the orders of Donald Trump."