Senator Gallego Introduces Legislation to Block Military Funeral Honors for Ashli Babbitt
Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona is taking steps to prevent the Pentagon from providing full military funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, who was involved in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Gallego is introducing legislation to block the honor, citing Babbitt's actions during the riot as disqualifying her from receiving such recognition. He believes that honoring Babbitt would bring discredit to the Air Force.
Gallego has been vocal on social media about his opposition to granting military honors to Babbitt, stating that such honors should be reserved for those who defend the Constitution, not traitors. Babbitt was part of the mob that stormed the Capitol and attempted to enter the House Speaker's Lobby through a broken window. She was shot and killed by a police officer during the chaos.
Initially, the Pentagon denied the Babbitt family's request for military funeral honors, citing the circumstances of her death and the potential discredit it could bring to the Air Force. However, a conservative legal group, Judicial Watch, lobbied for the honor to be granted, arguing that Babbitt's military service and President Trump's clemency for Jan. 6 defendants warranted the recognition.
Babbitt's mother has been actively involved in advocating against some of the Jan. 6 prosecutions and seeking an investigation into her daughter's shooting. She met with then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023 to discuss the matter. Gallego's efforts to block the military funeral honors for Babbitt reflect a broader debate over how to commemorate individuals involved in the Capitol riot.