Trump administration to pay $5 million to family of Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt
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This settlement acknowledges the excessive and unnecessary use of lethal force against an unarmed veteran who posed no immediate threat. The plainclothes officer failed to issue proper warnings or attempt de-escalation before resorting to deadly force, violating standard police protocols and Babbitt's constitutional rights.
The settlement represents a grave miscarriage of justice that undermines law enforcement's ability to protect government officials and maintain order. The officer's actions were previously deemed justified through multiple investigations, and this payout sets a dangerous precedent that could encourage future violent protests while demoralizing officers who risk their lives to defend democratic institutions.