The U.S. Air Force has reversed an earlier decision and will now provide military funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, a former Air Force Senior Airman who was killed during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
According to Fox News, Babbitt’s family was formally notified of the reversal through an official letter dated Aug. 15, 2025, following a government settlement and a new review of her case.
Babbitt, who served in the U.S. Air Force, was fatally shot while attempting to enter restricted chambers inside the U.S. Capitol during the January 2021 riots. A U.S. Capitol Police officer fired the shot that killed her. The Department of Justice declined to file criminal charges against the officer involved, citing insufficient evidence of wrongdoing, in an announcement made in April 2021.
Air Force Originally Denied Her Military Honors
In February 2021, shortly after her death, the Air Force leadership under former President Biden turned down a request to provide Babbitt military funeral honors. Her military record and veteran status typically would qualify an individual for such honors, but officials at the time decided against it due to the circumstances of her death.
On August 15, 2025, the Undersecretary of the Air Force sent a letter to Babbitt’s husband, Aaron Babbitt, offering to extend the full ceremonial honors. The letter included an acknowledgment that the original decision was incorrect based on a review of newly available details surrounding the incident. “On behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, I write to extend the offer for Military Funeral Honors for SrA Ashli Babbitt,” the letter stated. “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.”
Decision Follows Wrongful Death Settlement
The letter arrived one month after the Babbitt family reached a nearly $5 million wrongful death settlement with the federal government in July 2025. The terms of the agreement ended years of legal action stemming from her shooting during the Capitol breach.
Following the decision, an Air Force spokesperson issued an official statement confirming that ceremonial funeral honors would be extended to Babbitt’s family as part of the new conclusion in her case. The statement mirrored the language in the letter, emphasizing a reassessment of the facts and the decision to right what was described as an earlier mistake. Public response to the Air Force’s reversal has been intensely divided. Some have praised the move as a long-overdue correction, while others express concern that it may send mixed messages about the events of Jan. 6 and the individuals involved.
Mixed Reactions from Military and Political Figures
One of the nation’s most outspoken voices in support of Babbitt receiving full military honors was retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who hailed the decision. “There is no better example of how a leader is supposed to act than right here in this letter,” Flynn said. He expressed hope that Babbitt’s family might now find peace. Flynn also added that the acknowledgment from senior leadership helps "bring a measure of solace" to those who felt her actions on Jan. 6 had been misunderstood or misrepresented. He underlined Babbitt’s prior service and devotion to military duty as a core part of her identity.
However, several prominent figures have offered sharp criticism. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger voiced frustration, stating that while Babbitt’s death was "absolutely tragic," awarding her military honors disrespected the uniform given her participation in what he labeled an insurrection.
Capitol Police and Veterans Weigh in
Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Aquilino Gonell also condemned the decision. He highlighted the inconsistency of honoring Babbitt while not extending similar recognition to officers like Brian Sicknick, who also served and died in connection with the Capitol attack.
"Not to officers, like Brian Sicknick ... but the member of the mob who stormed the Capitol and put herself and others’ lives in danger," Gonell said in criticism of the reversal. In his view, such a move neglects the complexity of the incident and those who were tasked with defending the Capitol. Babbitt's backstory as a former Air Force Senior Airman had long been part of the national conversation surrounding her shooting. She served domestically and was honorably discharged before becoming involved in political activism leading up to the Jan. 6 riot.
Babbitt Case Remains Symbolically Charged
The decision to reinstate honors has reignited broader debates about heroism, accountability, and how institutions evaluate service. For some, including former military and law enforcement, recognizing Babbitt’s record blurs the lines between valor and criminal defiance. Supporters argue that Babbitt’s nearly 14 years of service—including active duty and reserve time—should stand on their own, regardless of her actions during the Capitol riot. Critics counter that military honors are symbolic, and bestowing them in this case risks legitimizing an unlawful act.
The Air Force has not publicly commented beyond its official statement and the letter sent to Babbitt’s family. There has been no indication that further personnel decisions or disciplinary reviews tied to the original 2021 denial are imminent.
Reversal Marks Final Chapter in Long Dispute
As the military honors offer moves forward, Babbitt’s family has not indicated whether a ceremony date has been set. The news comes more than four years after her death and caps a legally and emotionally fraught chapter involving multiple government agencies and public figures. The Pentagon’s decision does not appear to reflect a broader policy shift but is instead framed as a case-specific resolution. The Undersecretary’s letter made clear that the move followed a full re-examination of evolving circumstances in Babbitt’s case alone. With the military now offering closure to Babbitt’s family, reactions across the country remain sharply divided, illustrating the enduring tensions stemming from Jan. 6, both within the political world and the broader public.
