Jan. 6 Participant Ashli Babbitt Granted Full Air Force Military Funeral Honors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Air Force has decided to grant full military funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, the 35-year-old veteran killed during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The move marks a sharp departure from a previous ruling that denied such honors, sparking a renewed national debate over her legacy, the meaning of military service, and the broader consequences of that day in American history.

Air Force Reverses Previous Denial

In a letter dated August 15, 2025, Undersecretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier informed Babbitt’s family of the reversal.

“On behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, I write to extend the offer for Military Funeral Honors for SrA Ashli Babbitt. After reviewing the circumstances of Ashli’s death, and considering the information that has come forward since then, I am persuaded that the previous determination was incorrect,” Lohmeier wrote.

Babbitt served as a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force and later in the Air National Guard, completing tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the security forces. Her military service record, now brought to the forefront by this decision, had previously been overshadowed by the violent and chaotic events of January 6.

A Controversial Death on Historic Grounds

Babbitt was shot and killed by U.S. Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd as she attempted to climb through a shattered window into the Speaker’s Lobby, an area that had been barricaded to protect lawmakers. Byrd was later cleared of wrongdoing following internal investigations, with authorities concluding that his actions likely prevented further violence that day.

Her death quickly became one of the most controversial moments of the Capitol attack, with her supporters calling her a martyr and her critics condemning her actions as part of an assault on American democracy.

The Capitol riot, which resulted in five deaths and injuries to more than 140 law enforcement officers, remains one of the most pivotal domestic security breaches in U.S. history. The decision to honor Babbitt with full military rites reopens many of the sensitive debates that have persisted in American society since.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit and Settlement

Earlier this year, Babbitt’s family finalized a $5 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit against the federal government. The lawsuit had initially sought $30 million, alleging negligence in how law enforcement handled security and responded to protesters inside the Capitol. The government agreed to the settlement without admitting liability, a common outcome in cases of this nature, but the payout further cements her case as a legal and political flashpoint.

Legal experts point out that while settlements do not equate to legal admissions of wrongdoing, they often follow assessments that litigation could be costly or potentially damaging if prolonged.

Military Funeral Honors: What It Means

Receiving military funeral honors is a significant recognition reserved for veterans who meet specific service requirements. The honors typically include an honor guard detail, a ceremonial folding and presentation of the U.S. flag, and the playing of “Taps.”

For Babbitt’s family and supporters, this reversal represents not only a posthumous acknowledgment of her years of service overseas but also, in their view, a rebalancing of how she should be remembered. Veterans’ groups remain divided, however—some praising the decision as a rightful act of recognition for her service, while others argue that her participation in January 6 counteracts the very oath she took as an airman.

Divided Reactions Across the Political Spectrum

The announcement has already generated sharp reactions from both sides of the political aisle.

Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn praised the Air Force’s decision, calling it an act of true leadership. “There is no better example of how a leader is supposed to act, than right here in this letter. May Ashli Babbitt now Rest In Peace and her family gain some measure of solace for the wonderful person she was and the light of truth she brought to each of us.”

In contrast, Representative Adam Kinzinger, a Republican who became known for his vocal opposition to the Capitol riot, sharply condemned the move. “Ashli Babbitt dishonored her service by committing insurrection against her country. While her death is absolutely tragic and I wish it hadn’t happened, the Air Force giving her honors is in itself a dishonor,” Kinzinger said.

Historical Context: Precedents in Military Honors

Decisions about military honors often stir emotions when service members are involved in controversial incidents. U.S. military regulations dictate certain requirements for eligibility, but discretionary decisions—such as whether conduct outside of service should disqualify a veteran—have historically generated debate.

During the Vietnam War era, for example, service members dishonorably discharged for misconduct were denied honors, even if they had combat records. More recently, debates have arisen over service members involved in criminal acts or extremist groups. Each case reflects the broader societal questions of who should be remembered for their service versus judged for their actions after leaving uniform.

While Babbitt was never dishonorably discharged, the January 6 riot has, for many Americans, raised significant questions about the limits of veteran recognition and accountability.

The Broader Economic and Social Impact

The decision to grant Babbitt military funeral honors comes at a time when the United States is still grappling with the financial, security, and social costs of January 6. Beyond the physical destruction to the Capitol complex, damages were estimated at nearly $2.7 million. The federal government spent tens of millions more in heightened security measures and criminal prosecutions of rioters, more than 1,300 of whom have faced charges since the attack.

The Babbitt settlement further adds to the taxpayer burden, spotlighting how judgments and settlements tied to January 6 will continue to ripple through government budgets. Families of other individuals affected by the riot may also be emboldened to pursue legal claims, creating a potential cascade of costly outcomes well into the future.

Regional Comparisons: How Military Honors Are Viewed Abroad

The treatment of veterans involved in controversial or violent events differs internationally. In the United Kingdom, for instance, military funeral honors are strictly governed by prior service records, with disqualifications common for veterans found guilty of serious misconduct. In Israel, military funerals for controversial figures often spark protest, with governmental bodies stepping in to mediate.

In the United States, traditions surrounding military honors are more decentralized and influenced by shifting political climates. While the decision on Babbitt reflects Air Force leadership discretion, the fallout illustrates the challenges Western democracies face when reconciling military service with controversial civilian actions.

Ongoing Legacy of January 6

Nearly five years after the Capitol riot, the legacy of January 6 continues to loom over American politics, law enforcement, and civic life. Commemorations each year draw both solemn reflection and protest. Court proceedings involving participants persist, and the debate over accountability versus forgiveness remains potent in public discourse.

For Babbitt’s supporters, the funeral honors represent long-overdue recognition of her years in uniform. To her critics, they symbolize an unsettling blurring of military valor with actions that many consider undermining democratic institutions.

As the nation continues to wrestle with the implications of January 6, the story of Ashli Babbitt—and the decision to grant her full military funeral honors—stands as a stark reminder of the enduring struggle over how America chooses to honor, or condemn, those caught in one of its darkest chapters.

Looking Ahead

The Air Force has not yet announced the date or location of Babbitt’s full military funeral honors. For her family, the opportunity closes a painful chapter in their long effort to seek recognition of her service. For the nation, however, the decision reopens questions about reconciliation, justice, and how history will ultimately remember the events of January 6.

Whether viewed as an act of compassion, a correction of past denial, or an error in judgment, the reversal ensures that Ashli Babbitt’s name will continue to define one of the most turbulent intersections of military service, civic duty, and national tragedy in modern American history.