Lt. Michael Byrd, the U.S. Capitol Police officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 protests, received extraordinary benefits due to pressure from House Democrats, according to internal emails reviewed by Just the News. The revelations have raised concerns about unequal treatment and political favoritism within the Capitol Police.
Records show Byrd received financial support far exceeding what other officers involved in the Jan. 6 protests were given. This included a $37,000 retention bonus, over $21,000 in home security upgrades, and a GoFundMe campaign that raised $164,000. These measures reportedly came after aides to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) advocated for special treatment.
Despite these benefits, Byrd expressed dissatisfaction, stating he deserved more. Emails reveal his frustrations with the pace of assistance, and he complained about being grouped with other officers. Capitol Police officials scrambled to meet his demands, raising questions about the level of influence exerted by Democratic lawmakers.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), chair of the House Administration Oversight Subcommittee, criticized the unequal treatment. “This wasn’t about fairness. Byrd was treated differently from other officers, even those who were injured,” Loudermilk said. Byrd’s promotion to captain in 2023, despite a disciplinary record, has further fueled criticism.
The incident has also highlighted what some view as a double standard in how Democrats respond to police use of force. While they often condemn law enforcement in cases involving unarmed Black victims, they supported Byrd’s actions against Babbitt, a White Trump supporter.
These revelations have sparked calls for greater accountability within the Capitol Police and intensified scrutiny of the political influence behind Byrd’s treatment.
