New revelations have surfaced regarding Capitol Police officer Michael Byrd, who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt during the events of January 6, 2021. Despite facing criticism for his decision to use lethal force against the unarmed Air Force veteran and an unsettling disciplinary history, Byrd has been showered with financial incentives, job security, and even a promotion.

Michael Byrd’s Controversial Career: Rewards Despite Deadly Force on January 6

According to investigative journalists Joseph Hanneman and Steve Baker of Blaze News, Byrd has received a $36,000 retention bonus, over $21,000 for security upgrades at his private residence, and was exempted from sitting for a fitness-for-duty evaluation after the incident. These benefits have drawn sharp criticism, especially since Byrd was promoted to the rank of captain in 2023.

Ashli Babbitt was among a group of protesters attempting to breach a barricaded area near the Speaker’s Lobby on January 6. Byrd fired a single shot, killing Babbitt as she attempted to climb through a broken window. While Byrd claimed his actions were necessary to protect lawmakers, critics have argued that Babbitt posed no immediate threat to justify such force.

The Babbitt family filed a lawsuit against Byrd, asserting that his actions violated her constitutional rights. The incident has remained a flashpoint for debates on law enforcement accountability, particularly given Byrd’s professional history.

Hanneman’s report highlights Byrd’s questionable career trajectory, marked by disciplinary issues that have raised eyebrows. Prior to the January 6 incident, Byrd allegedly left a loaded firearm unattended in a Capitol restroom—a lapse in judgment that would likely have ended the career of a less politically insulated officer.

Despite this, Byrd has not only retained his position but has been handsomely rewarded. The financial benefits and subsequent promotion signal a troubling lack of accountability within the Capitol Police.

The Blaze:

‘Byrd has “a history of carelessness with weapons,” says Hanneman. The most notable of these is the incident when Byrd “fired his service weapon at fleeing vehicles near his home while his neighbor was in the line of fire,” which was recently reported by a congressional oversight committee.

Byrd also “left his service weapon on the toilet tank in the Capitol Visitor Center.”

However, there are “three more case files” on Byrd, but these have magically “disappeared.”

“The records are missing,” says Hanneman, adding that from what he understands, the contents of these missing reports make the incidents we already know about “look rather tame.”

Critics have questioned why Byrd was not subjected to a fitness-for-duty evaluation after the shooting, a standard practice for officers involved in lethal force incidents. Instead, his actions were seemingly rewarded, further fueling concerns about a double standard in law enforcement.

Byrd’s promotion to captain in 2023 has sparked outrage among those who view the rewards as emblematic of a justice system that prioritizes political optics over transparency and accountability. The financial incentives, coupled with the decision to exempt Byrd from standard evaluations, suggest a concerted effort to shield him from scrutiny.

Blaze News editor-in-chief Matthew Peterson, speaking on Blaze News Tonight, emphasized the need for a thorough examination of Byrd’s actions and the Capitol Police’s handling of the aftermath. “What message does this send to law enforcement and the public when an officer with such a troubling record is not only retained but rewarded?” Peterson questioned.

The handling of Byrd’s case reflects broader issues within federal law enforcement agencies, where political considerations often take precedence over accountability. Many conservatives argue that Byrd’s treatment exemplifies a two-tiered justice system, where certain individuals are protected based on their political alignment or the narrative surrounding their actions.

Ashli Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran, has been celebrated by some as a symbol of resistance against government overreach. Her death, and the subsequent handling of Byrd’s career, has become a rallying point for those who believe that justice has been selectively applied in the aftermath of January 6.

Michael Byrd’s case serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement, particularly when deadly force is involved. The financial rewards and career advancements he has received are difficult to reconcile with his disciplinary history and the controversial circumstances of Babbitt’s death.

As new details emerge, the handling of Byrd’s case will likely remain a focal point for those seeking to challenge the perceived inequities in how justice is administered. For many, the question lingers: Why are officers like Byrd insulated from the consequences of their actions, while others face harsh penalties for far less egregious offenses?

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