A controversial decision has just been made regarding Ashli Babbitt, the woman fatally shot during the Jan. 6 Capitol events. The U.S. Air Force is now providing full military funeral honors, a reversal that follows a multi-million dollar settlement. What does this mean for the ongoing narrative surrounding that day, and the recognition of those involved?

A significant decision by the U.S. Air Force has ignited renewed discussions surrounding the contentious events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol, with the announcement that Ashli Babbitt, fatally shot during the insurrection attempt, will receive full military funeral honors.

This pivotal reversal comes after a period of considerable legal and public debate, overturning an earlier denial from the Biden administration and following the recent settlement of a nearly $5 million wrongful death lawsuit initiated by Babbitt’s family against the federal government.

Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Lohmeier articulated the revised stance, stating, “On behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, I write to extend the offer for Military Funeral Honors for (Senior Airman) Ashli Babbitt. I understand that the family’s initial request was denied by Air Force leadership in a letter dated February 9, 2021. However, 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.” This statement underscores a re-evaluation of the specific circumstances surrounding her death.

The conservative legal advocacy group Judicial Watch, which played a crucial role in representing the Babbitt family, lauded the decision. Tom Fitton, the group’s president, expressed gratitude, remarking, “Ashli Babbitt’s family is grateful to President Trump, Secretary Hegseth and Under Secretary Lohmeier for reversing the Biden Defense Department’s cruel decision to deny Ashli funeral honors as a distinguished veteran of the Air Force.”

Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old San Diego woman, was in the process of climbing through a broken window of a barricaded door leading to the Speaker’s Lobby within the Capitol building when she was shot by Lt. Michael Byrd, an officer whose actions have been under intense scrutiny since the incident.

Despite the severity of the incident and the public outcry, the Department of Justice concluded its investigation without pursuing criminal charges against Lt. Byrd, a decision that was later mirrored by the U.S. Capitol Police, which stated he would not face internal disciplinary action regarding the shooting.

The family’s legal pursuit initially sought $30 million in damages, asserting that Babbitt was “ambushed” by Byrd, who allegedly discharged his weapon without issuing any verbal warnings or commands prior to the fatal shot, a claim central to their wrongful death lawsuit.

The granting of military honors reversal to Ashli Babbitt adds another complex layer to the ongoing narrative of the January 6 Capitol attack and its profound Capitol insurrection aftermath. This move brings the deeply personal tragedy of Babbitt’s death into the broader political discourse, fueling further debate about accountability, justice, and the definition of service in a deeply divided nation.

This development, involving a wrongful death lawsuit settlement and a direct US Air Force decision to honor a participant in the events, is expected to resonate across various political spectrums, influencing discussions on public perception and the remembrance of that tumultuous day, especially concerning Ashli Babbitt funeral arrangements.