Ashli Babbitt

Ashli Babbitt was a United States Air Force veteran and Trump supporter who gained widespread attention for her involvement in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol. Born in California, she grew up in a Republican household and developed strong conservative views, often expressing her opinions on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Babbitt's life was marked by her military service in the United States Air Force, where she served alongside United States Army and United States Navy personnel. She was also an avid supporter of Donald Trump, often attending Make America Great Again rallies and events, including the 2016 Republican National Convention and the 2020 Republican National Convention.

● Early Life and Education

Babbitt was born on October 5, 1985, in California, to a family of Republican voters who supported Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. She grew up in Lakeside, California, and developed an interest in politics and history, often discussing current events with her family and friends, including the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). Babbitt attended Grossmont College and later transferred to San Diego State University, where she studied business administration and developed a strong interest in economics, often citing the works of Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek. She was also an avid supporter of the National Rifle Association and the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, often attending gun shows and shooting competitions.

● Career and Activism

Babbitt served in the United States Air Force from 2004 to 2016, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where she worked alongside United States Army Special Forces and United States Navy SEALs. After her military service, she worked as a security consultant and later started her own business, a pool service company, in California. Babbitt was an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump and attended several Make America Great Again rallies, including the 2016 Republican National Convention and the 2020 Republican National Convention, where she met other Trump supporters, including Roger Stone and Alex Jones. She was also a strong supporter of the Tea Party movement and the Libertarian Party (United States), often citing the works of Ron Paul and Gary Johnson.

● Death and Aftermath

On January 6, 2021, Babbitt was shot and killed by a United States Capitol Police officer while attempting to climb through a broken window into the United States Capitol building during the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol. The incident occurred as a mob of Trump supporters, including members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 United States presidential election. Babbitt's death was widely reported by news media outlets, including CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, and sparked a wave of protests and condemnation from politicians and activists across the United States, including Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell.

● Investigations and Reactions

The shooting of Babbitt was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Capitol Police, with assistance from the Department of Justice and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. The investigation found that the officer who shot Babbitt, Lieutenant Michael Byrd, had acted in accordance with use of force protocols and was justified in using deadly force to protect himself and others. The incident sparked a wave of reactions from politicians and activists, including Donald Trump, who called Babbitt a martyr and a patriot, and Joe Biden, who condemned the violence and called for unity and healing. The incident also led to a congressional investigation into the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, led by the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.

● Legacy and Controversy

Babbitt's death has become a rallying cry for some Trump supporters and far-right activists, who have portrayed her as a martyr and a hero. However, others have criticized her actions and those of the mob that stormed the Capitol building, citing the violence and destruction that occurred during the riot. The incident has also sparked a wider debate about police use of force and the rights of protesters, with some calling for greater accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices. Babbitt's legacy continues to be felt in the United States, with many politicians and activists referencing her death in discussions about free speech, gun rights, and national security, including Ted Cruz and Marjorie Taylor Greene.