Newly uncovered internal emails suggest House Democrats pressured the U.S. Capitol Police to provide special treatment to Lt. Michael Byrd, the officer who killed Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 protests. Byrd’s benefits included a $37,000 bonus, security upgrades to his home, and support from a GoFundMe campaign that raised $164,000, far surpassing what other officers received.
The records, reviewed by Just the News, show that aides to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) advocated for Byrd’s extraordinary support. Despite these efforts, Byrd reportedly remained dissatisfied, claiming he deserved more.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) criticized the situation, noting the stark disparity in treatment. “Byrd’s benefits were far beyond what other officers received, even those injured during the events of Jan. 6. This wasn’t about fairness,” Loudermilk said.
The controversy also centers on Byrd’s 2023 promotion to captain, which critics argue was unwarranted given his disciplinary history. Loudermilk questioned whether Byrd should have even remained on the force after the shooting.
The situation underscores a double standard in how Democrats address police shootings. While they often criticize officers in cases involving unarmed Black individuals, they defended Byrd’s actions against Babbitt, a White supporter of President Donald Trump. This inconsistency has drawn accusations of politicizing law enforcement.
The revelations are likely to intensify scrutiny of the Capitol Police and the influence of Democratic lawmakers in shaping the agency’s decisions.
