The shooting sparked sharply divided opinions. Some viewed Babbitt as a victim, others as a participant in an unlawful act.
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly defended Babbitt, calling her a “patriot” and questioning the officer’s actions.
He has publicly expressed support for her family, saying her death was unjustified and “a disgrace.” Babbitt had served in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years, with deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.
In the years leading up to her death, she had expressed strong political beliefs and shared support for conspiracy theories on social media.
The Capitol riot resulted in multiple deaths and more than 150 officer injuries, as well as over 1,500 arrests tied to various federal charges. While details of the settlement have not been made public,
the agreement brings partial closure to a highly publicized legal battle.
The legacy of January 6 and the lives it impacted, including Babbitt’s, continue to fuel legal, political, and cultural debate in the United States.
