The Pentagon has reversed the Biden administration’s denial and offered full military funeral honors to Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot during the January 6, 2021, Capitol incident.
Story Highlights
- Pentagon reverses Biden-era denial of military honors for Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt.
- Air Force cites “new information” and calls the previous denial “incorrect.”
- Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego introduces a resolution to block the honors.
- Conservative groups and Judicial Watch celebrate the reversal as “long overdue.”
Trump Administration Corrects Biden-Era Injustice
The Pentagon’s August 2025 decision represents a dramatic shift from the previous administration’s treatment of military veterans. Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier stated the Biden administration’s 2021 denial was “incorrect” after reviewing new information about Babbitt’s case.
The Air Force veteran served her country honorably before her death on January 6, 2021, when she was shot by Capitol Police while attempting to enter the Speaker’s Lobby area of the Capitol building.
Babbitt’s family had originally requested military funeral honors in 2021, a standard benefit for veterans who served honorably. The Biden administration’s denial appeared to many conservatives as another example of weaponizing government institutions against Trump supporters.
This latest reversal suggests the current administration recognizes the importance of separating military service from the political circumstances surrounding one’s death.
Family Vindication After Years of Legal Battles
The Babbitt family’s persistence through multiple legal channels has finally paid dividends. Their wrongful death lawsuit against the government resulted in a nearly $5 million settlement, acknowledging that serious questions remained about the circumstances of her death.
Conservative legal organization Judicial Watch provided crucial advocacy support, arguing that Babbitt’s military service warranted recognition regardless of the political controversy surrounding January 6.
The family expressed gratitude for the Pentagon’s decision, viewing it as proper recognition of Babbitt’s service to her country. They maintained throughout their legal battles that their request was not political but simply about honoring a veteran’s service record. The reversal validates their position that military honors should be based on service record, not the circumstances of death.
Democrat Opposition Reveals Partisan Priorities
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego immediately announced plans to introduce a resolution blocking the military honors, demonstrating how Democrats continue politicizing military recognition. Gallego’s opposition appears driven by partisan considerations rather than established military protocols for honoring veterans.
His intervention represents the kind of government overreach that frustrates conservative Americans who believe military honors should remain above political manipulation.
The senator’s move highlights a troubling pattern where Democrats selectively apply standards based on political allegiance rather than consistent principles. Military honors have traditionally been awarded based on service records, not political circumstances.
This attempt to override Pentagon decisions through legislative interference sets a dangerous precedent for future political meddling in military affairs.
Broader Implications for Military Honor and Justice
This reversal represents more than recognition for one veteran—it signals a return to traditional military values over political considerations.
The decision acknowledges that military service should be honored separately from controversial circumstances, a principle that strengthens rather than weakens military traditions. Veterans’ groups supporting the decision argue that denying honors based on political circumstances dishonors all military service members.
The case establishes an important precedent regarding the maintenance of military honor systems above political influence. My assessment is that this decision correctly prioritizes established military protocols over partisan political pressure.
The Pentagon’s willingness to correct the previous administration’s politically motivated denial demonstrates renewed commitment to treating veterans fairly regardless of political controversy. Americans should support decisions that uphold military tradition and veteran recognition over partisan political calculations.
Sources:
ABC7: US offers military funeral honors to Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt
The Independent: Senator seeks to block military funeral honors for pro-Trump rioter Ashli Babbitt
Department of Justice: Closes Investigation into the Death of Ashli Babbitt
