Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and House Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) revealed their contrasting insight on the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt during the January 6 protest.
While commenting on the horrific death of Tyre Nichols, Greene noted that Babbitt was “murdered” and that Congress, including the January 6 select committee, has not investigated the case. She also touched on the scores of January 6 protesters whose Civil rights and liberties have been violated.
Civil rights and liberties are important, but there is a clear difference between Tyre Nichols and Ashli Babbit. pic.twitter.com/ARpdJkShZp
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) January 31, 2023
McCarthy, during a press conference, was asked by a reporter if he agreed with Greene’s assessment that Babbitt was murdered or if he thought the officer who shot the veteran was doing his job. The speaker responded by saying he thought the officer was doing his job.
Former President Donald Trump was forced to wade in on the issue following McCarthy’s response. Trump took to his Truth Social to disagree with McCarthy’s assessment of the shooting.
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/109798304630050276
“I totally disagree with the Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, in that the Police Officer’ Thug,’ who has had a very checkered past, to begin with, was not just ‘doing his job’ when he shot and killed Great Patriot Ashli Babbitt at point blank range,” Trump wrote. “Despite trying to keep him anonymous, shielded, and protected, this MISFIT proudly showed up on NBC Fake Nightly News’ bragging’ about the killing. He was not a hero but a COWARD, who wanted to show how tough he was. ASHLI BABBITT WAS MURDERED!!!”
Greene, in a tweet, echoed Trump’s claim and revealed that she has watched the videos of “Ashli Babbitt’s murder.” Greene added that, while Babbitt was in the Capitol during the protest, the only violence she committed was punching another January 6 protester in the face for breaking a window inside the Capitol.
I’ve watched the videos of Ashli Babbit’s murder.
Yes she was inside the Capitol, but the only violence she committed was punching another J6’er in the face after he broke the window.
Not an officer or law maker, she punched a J6’er & tried to stop them, then Byrd shot her. pic.twitter.com/p8WE1Owxtn
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) February 3, 2023
“Not an officer or lawmaker,” Greene said, referring to the punch. “She punched a J6’er & tried to stop them, then Byrd shot her.”
Lt. Michael Byrd fatally shot Babbitt during the protest. However, Capitol police ruled that the shooting was justified and absolved Byrd of all wrongdoing. Despite Babbitt being unarmed, Capitol police ruled that Byrd’s action was lawful and within Department policy, which says an officer may use deadly force only when the officer reasonably believes that action is in the defense of human life.
