Air Force Grants Full Funeral Honors to Ashli Babbitt, Sparking Controversy
The U.S. Air Force’s recent decision to grant full military funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, a veteran killed during the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, has sparked significant controversy. This move marks a reversal from an earlier denial issued by the Biden administration, prompting strong reactions from various quarters.
Pam Hemphill, a 72-year-old grandmother from Idaho, has emerged as a vocal critic of the Air Force’s decision. Hemphill herself participated in the events of January 6 and has previously served time in jail for her involvement. She described the Air Force’s decision as “a slap in the face” to those who have lost their lives defending the Constitution.
In an interview, Hemphill expressed her profound disappointment, stating, “This felt like a deep pain—like a deep slap in the face to our whole nation, to our military members that have died protecting our Constitution.” She emphasized that Babbitt made a conscious choice on that day and did not die as a victim of circumstance.
The decision to extend funeral honors follows a substantial $5 million settlement reached between the Trump administration and Babbitt’s family related to a wrongful death lawsuit. An internal investigation cleared the officer involved in the shooting of any wrongdoing, citing the need to protect members of Congress who were sheltering nearby.
Hemphill, who was once a staunch supporter of former President Trump and played a role in rallying attendees for the Capitol protest, has since changed her political affiliation to the Democratic Party. She has distanced herself from Trump’s claims regarding the 2020 election and opted against accepting a pardon from the former president.
“To contribute and take a pardon is contributing to Trump’s narrative that the Department of Justice was weaponized against him,” she remarked. Hemphill admitted to feeling misled by the conspiracies prevalent in pro-Trump rhetoric, calling it “really frightening” that she lost her critical thinking during that time. “I regret it to this day,” she added.
The Air Force’s decision was made after reviewing Babbitt’s military service record and evaluating the circumstances of her death. While the Under Secretary of the Air Force characterized the decision as “long overdue,” critics contend it sends a troubling message about accountability and the implications of actions taken during the insurrection.
Hemphill has faced backlash from former supporters for her challenges to the narrative surrounding January 6. “When you bring facts to MAGA, they attack you,” she lamented, reflecting on the divisive climate that continues to permeate discussions about the events of that day.
