On January 6, 2021, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced that he would be meeting with the mother of Ashli Babbitt, the unarmed woman who was fatally shot by Capitol Police during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. McCarthy’s announcement came as the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of the deadly riot, which left five people dead and dozens injured.
The announcement of McCarthy’s meeting with Babbitt’s mother, and his subsequent comments, has sparked a debate about the proper response to the insurrection and the need for accountability. While some have praised McCarthy for his willingness to meet with Babbitt’s family, others have criticized him for not taking a stronger stance against the insurrectionists and for not calling for a full investigation into the shooting.
Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from San Diego, was among the hundreds of people who stormed the Capitol building on January 6 in an attempt to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. During the riot, Babbitt was shot by a Capitol Police officer as she attempted to climb through a window into the Speaker’s Lobby. She was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
In the days following the shooting, Babbitt’s family has called for an investigation into her death. They have also raised questions about the use of force by the Capitol Police and the lack of accountability for the officers involved.
In announcing his meeting with Babbitt’s mother, McCarthy said that he wanted to “express his condolences and hear her perspective.” He also noted that he had spoken with the Capitol Police chief and the Justice Department about the shooting.
McCarthy’s comments have been met with both praise and criticism. Some have praised him for his willingness to meet with Babbitt’s family and for his efforts to ensure that the incident is properly investigated. Others, however, have criticized him for not taking a stronger stance against the insurrectionists and for not calling for a full investigation into the shooting.
The meeting between McCarthy and Babbitt’s mother is expected to take place in the coming days. It is unclear what will come of the meeting, but it is likely that the two will discuss the need for accountability in the wake of the insurrection and the shooting of Babbitt.
The meeting between McCarthy and Babbitt’s mother is an important step in the process of seeking justice for the victims of the insurrection. It is also a reminder of the need for greater accountability in the wake of such a tragic event. It is essential that the investigation into the shooting of Babbitt is thorough and that those responsible are held accountable. Only then can we begin to move forward and ensure that such an event never happens again.