Gallego, Duckworth Urge Reversal of Ashli Babbitt Military Honors

WASHINGTON - Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth condemning the Air Force's decision to grant January 6 insurrectionist Ashli Babbitt with military honors.

"We write to demand that you immediately reverse your Department's shameful decision on August 15, 2025 to grant military funeral honors to former Air Force Senior Airman Ashli Babbitt," the senators wrote. "This decision is not only indefensible and inconsistent with 10 U.S. Code § 985, but also deeply disrespectful to the service members who have honorably worn the uniform of the United States."

Babbitt, a former airman, was an active, weapon-carrying rioter in the January 6th, 2021 insurrection that sought to overturn the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. After the mob broke into the Capitol, they ignored repeated orders from U.S. Capitol Police to step back and instead tried to break a locked and barricaded door. Babbitt then attempted to force her way inside the speaker's lobby by climbing through the door's broken window, where a Capitol Police Officer intervened to protect dozens of House members and staff cornered nearby.

"Her conduct was a betrayal of her oath and a discredit to the uniform she once wore," the senators continued.

On August 15, the Air Force notified Babbitt's family it would extend her military funeral honors. Under 10 U.S. Code § 985, the Department of Defense is authorized to deny military funeral honors in military cemeteries to any individual whose actions have brought "discredit upon the person's service (or former service)."

"We strongly urge you to rescind this decision immediately," the senators concluded. "To do otherwise is to abandon the Department's rules, cheapen the meaning of military honors, and send a dangerous message that betrayal of country and insurrection against our democracy are compatible with the values and standards all former military personnel are expected to uphold long after their service ends."

Read the full letter HERE.

Earlier this week, Senator Gallego introduced a resolution on the Senate floor to block Babbitt from receiving the honors. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) objected and blocked the resolution's passage.

9/12/25