Exclusive: Jack Cashill explains how feds hope to change venue in wrongful-death suit
By Jack Cashill
The headline above is not at all hyperbolic. In its efforts to “save democracy,” the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking to deny the family members of Ashli Babbitt their constitutional rights.
In the way of background, on Jan. 5, 2024, Judicial Watch filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the United States of America on behalf of the estate of Ashli Babbitt and Aaron Babbitt, her husband.
A 14-year Air Force veteran, the unarmed Ashli was shot and killed on Jan. 6, 2021, by Lt. Michael Byrd inside the U.S. Capitol. Byrd, who was not even disciplined for this reckless shooting, has since been promoted to captain.
As I report in my new book, “Ashli: The Untold Story of the Women of January 6,” Ashli had implored the Capitol Police to control the chaos in the narrow corridor where she was trapped.
When the three officers guarding the door inexplicably walked away, Ashli tried to escape the madness through a broken window. Byrd shot her on sight without warning.
To bring suit, Judicial Watch chose the most natural venue, the United States District Court of the Southern District of California. Aaron Babbitt and Ashli’s other family members live in San Diego County as did Ashli before she was killed.
According to a federal law, “A civil action on a tort claim against the United States may be prosecuted in the judicial district where the plaintiff resides.” Alternatively, the claim may be filed in the district in which the incident occurred.