House Democrats Urged Special Treatment for Officer in Babbitt Shooting
Documents obtained by Just the News reveal that House Democrats pushed the U.S. Capitol Police to provide substantial financial support and a promotion for Lt. Michael Byrd, the officer who fatally shot unarmed protester Ashli Babbitt during the January 6th Capitol breach.
The memos highlight how these efforts led to the allocation of tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer and charitable funds exclusively for Byrd, leaving other officers without similar benefits.
“He is very upset about how he is being treated. He wants us to figure this out and now,” a senior aide to then-House Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) wrote to Capitol Police in November 2021, urging immediate action to support Byrd.
Pressure also reportedly came from staff members of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. These demands led the Capitol Police to explore various options to address Byrd's grievances, despite his continued dissatisfaction, according to the memos.
“We play the game as you request and then once we comply you guys change the rules on us,” Byrd wrote to U.S. Capitol Police General Counsel Thomas DiBiase in November 2021, expressing frustration over being denied access to funds from a memorial fund intended for officers injured or killed in the line of duty.
Eventually, the Capitol Police informed Byrd that the memorial fund would not provide further assistance. Instead, the department helped set up a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $160,000 for Byrd. Among the donors was Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who also promoted the fundraiser.
This revelation emerged as part of an investigation led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk's House Administration Oversight Subcommittee, examining the U.S. Capitol Police's actions. The probe also noted Byrd's significant disciplinary history, which included six referrals to the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility and at least one case referred to a prosecutor.
“In addition to USCP’s decision to promote Byrd despite his disciplinary history, I also have concerns about the decisions USCP made concerning Byrd after January 6, 2021,” Loudermilk wrote to U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger.
During an appearance on the Just the News, No Noise TV program, Loudermilk acknowledged the rationale for supporting Byrd given the high-profile nature of the shooting. However, he emphasized that the assistance provided far exceeded what other officers received.
“[They] went to extremes, to where they gave bonuses to officers who are on the front line of the battle, that was a few thousand dollars—Byrd gets one of $37,000. Okay, it’s not equally played,” Loudermilk pointed out.
He also questioned whether Byrd should have remained on the force, given his extensive disciplinary record.
The subcommittee’s findings show that Capitol Police took extraordinary measures to provide Byrd with financial and professional benefits, including housing, enhanced security due to threats, and a promotion to the rank of captain. Internal emails revealed collaboration between the Capitol Police and House Democratic leadership, including Pelosi’s and Ryan’s offices, to ensure Byrd received this support.
At the time, Byrd was hesitant to return to duty and sought financial assistance for his family, according to Just the News.