Trump admin reaches settlement in principle with family of Ashli Babbitt: Report

The Trump administration on Friday reached a settlement deal with the family of January 6 protester Ashli Babbitt, whom police fatally shot during the riot on Capitol Hill in 2021. 

An attorney for the plaintiffs reportedly told the court that a settlement in principle has been reached, but the paperwork has not been signed so far, according to CBS News.

Information about what is included in the settlement was not immediately clear, but it averts a civil trial for the $30 million lawsuit the family filed on their loved one's behalf. President Donald Trump recently vowed to "look into" Babbitt's death.

Babbitt was a 36-year-old Air Force veteran who was fatally shot by U.S. Capitol Lt. Michael Byrd while trying to climb through the broken window of a door behind which were members of Congress, according to a Justice Department final report. 

The lawsuit, which was filed last year, accuses Byrd of being negligent in his use of force and firearm during the riot, and claims he was not dressed in uniform at the time of the shooting. It also claimed Babbitt clearly posed no threat.

"Ashli was unarmed," the lawsuit said. "Her hands were up in the air, empty, and in plain view of Lt. Byrd and other officers in the lobby. Ashli posed no threat to the safety of anyone."

The Biden administration's Justice Department has defended Byrd's actions, arguing Babbitt was in the Capitol illegally.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.