A resurfaced video is sparking intense debate, revealing a surprising reaction from Senator Markwayne Mullin in the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol unrest. The footage, from a July 2021 C-SPAN interview, shows Mullin openly embracing and offering support to Lieutenant Michael Byrd – the very officer who fired the fatal shot that killed Ashli Babbitt.
Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran and passionate Trump supporter, died on January 6th, 2021, as she attempted to climb through a broken window within the Capitol building. The circumstances surrounding her death remain deeply contested, with many questioning the necessity of lethal force against an unarmed individual.
According to Senator Mullin, Lieutenant Byrd was the one truly suffering. He recounted a deeply personal moment shortly after the shooting, stating, “He came over, physically and emotionally distraught. I actually gave him a hug and I said, ‘sir, you did what you had to do.’” This expression of empathy has now ignited a firestorm of criticism.
Mullin went further, telling investigators he believed Byrd issued a warning before firing – a claim directly contradicted by available video evidence. He publicly asserted that Byrd “didn’t have a choice” and that his actions “saved people’s lives,” painting a picture of a reluctant officer forced into a tragic situation.
The Senator described Byrd as someone who would never willingly resort to such force, stating, “I guarantee you…he’s never had to pull his weapon in a manner like that before. He was the last person in the world who ever wanted to use force like that.” He emphasized the lasting trauma such an event would inflict on anyone.
Mullin acknowledged the profound loss experienced by Babbitt’s family, stating, “Unfortunately, for the young lady, her family’s life has changed.” However, he simultaneously underscored the impact on Byrd, arguing that taking a life leaves an indelible mark, regardless of the circumstances.
He defended Byrd’s actions by explaining the perilous situation faced by officers that day. Mullin argued that when confronted with an advancing individual, and verbal commands are ignored, officers are left with a stark choice: use force to defend themselves and others, or risk having their weapons turned against them.
Video evidence, however, tells a different story. Footage captured Byrd shooting Babbitt as she climbed through a narrow window near a barricaded entryway, appearing unarmed and without any apparent warning. This discrepancy between Mullin’s account and the visual record is at the heart of the current controversy.
Following an internal investigation, Byrd was cleared of wrongdoing, a decision that continues to fuel debate and accusations of a cover-up. Questions linger regarding the justification for escalating to lethal force without attempting to subdue or detain Babbitt.
Further scrutiny revealed a troubled history for Byrd, including leaving his service weapon unattended in a public restroom and repeatedly failing to meet firearms qualification standards. These revelations add another layer of complexity to the already contentious narrative.
In a subsequent NBC interview, Byrd defended his actions, claiming he saved “countless lives” by firing upon Babbitt. He also expressed distress over the death threats he received following the shooting, characterizing the situation as simply “doing my job.”
On the third anniversary of January 6th, a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the federal government on behalf of Babbitt’s estate. The suit alleges that Byrd acted with incompetence and negligence, failing to recognize Babbitt posed no genuine threat.
The lawsuit detailed how Babbitt was shot almost immediately after beginning to climb through a broken window, with Byrd admitting he hadn’t assessed her intentions or even identified her gender before firing. It argued that her hands were clearly visible and empty, presenting no immediate danger.
Judicial Watch, representing Babbitt’s family, argued that the government was responsible for her “unlawful shooting death” and sought accountability for what they deemed a tragic injustice. They maintained that Babbitt was exercising her constitutional rights when she came to Washington D.C.
Ultimately, the U.S. government agreed to a settlement of nearly $5 million with Babbitt’s estate and family, officially resolving the case and averting a scheduled jury trial. The settlement, while providing some measure of closure, does not erase the lingering questions and deep divisions surrounding the events of January 6th.
