Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama on Wednesday reportedly moved to protect the legacy of Ashli Babbitt, the Air Force veteran killed during the January 6 Capitol riot, by blocking a Democratic resolution that sought to deny her military funeral honors.
The measure, introduced by Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona, asked for unanimous consent to prevent Babbitt from receiving the honors that the Air Force recently reinstated. Tuberville objected, calling the resolution a political stunt aimed at punishing a grieving family.
“This resolution is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to strip away the earned honors of a veteran who deployed seven times during her many years in the United States Air Force,” Tuberville declared on the Senate floor. “Ashli Babbitt earned these funeral honors through her service to this nation.”
He added that Gallego’s measure was “petty” and “would serve no other purpose than to punish the Babbitt family, since Babbitt is not with us any longer.”
The senator, a former college football coach turned conservative firebrand, went further, accusing Democrats of abusing power to score political points. “It’s disgraceful, and it’s un-American,” Tuberville said. “In case my colleague is unaware of this, the Constitution still applies even to those you disagree with politically.” He argued that only a conviction for a capital crime should be grounds to revoke military funeral honors. “This is nothing more than political grandstanding,” he concluded.
Babbitt, 35, was shot and killed by Capitol Police on January 6, 2021, as she attempted to climb through a barricaded door near the House chamber.
The shooting, captured on video, became one of the most searing moments of the day and quickly transformed her into a cause célèbre for many on the right, who see her death as unjust and her memory as a rallying cry.
The Air Force, under President Donald J. Trump, reversed a Biden-era decision last month and offered Babbitt’s family full funeral honors, acknowledging her lengthy service and deployments.
Gallego, a Marine veteran who was inside the Capitol that day, argued fiercely against the honors. “She didn’t die protecting our country. She died trying to tear it down,” he said. “Military honors are sacred. They are reserved for the men and women who swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution and the rule of law and actually live up to it. To give them to Babbitt would be a spit in the face to all of them, to every veteran who died defending this country.”
He accused Babbitt of betraying her oath. “Those who served are expected to uphold our oath and military standards even after we are done with our service. If you violate the law and betray the oath, you forfeit honors,” Gallego said. “She wasn’t a martyr. She was and is a traitor.”
Tuberville’s objection ensured Gallego’s resolution did not advance, underscoring the deep partisan divide over how the nation should remember January 6.
For conservatives, it was a defense of due process and respect for military service. For Democrats, it was proof that honoring Babbitt cheapens the sacrifices of others.
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