The Trump administration will pay nearly $5 million to the estate of Ashli Babbitt, a pro-Trump rioter who was killed by law enforcement after invading the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to May 19 reports inthe Washington PostandCNN. Babbitt's family settled the casein Southern California federal court against the Department of Justice in principle just over two weeks ago, but neither party announced a dollar amount. U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrdshot and killed 35-year-old Babbitt as members of Congress were still in the lobby after Trump supporters violently stormed the Capitol to try to stop congressional certification ofJoe Biden's 2020 election victory. "I am extremely disappointed and disagree with this settlement," U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger told USA TODAY in a statement emailed by the Capitol Police's public information office. "In 2021, the DOJ investigation determined no wrongdoing by police. This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours." The partieshad reached a settlement in principle in early May in the$30 million civil suitfiled by the conservative activist group Judicial Watch on behalf of Babbitt's estate, including her late husband. The Department of Justice did did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment, nor did Robert Sticht, a lawyer for the right-leaning group Judicial Watch who represented the Babbitt estate. Babbitt's mother, Micki Witthoeft, has emerged as a stalwart advocate for the Jan. 6 rioters who faced criminal charges in the months and years following the attack. The settlement comes after Trumpgranted clemency to about 1,500 defendantswho faced charges for their alleged – and in many instances, convicted – roles in the attack. Contributing: Ben Adler This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jan. 6 protester's family to get $5 million in DOJ settlement: Reports
