October 11, 2021, 7:15 am
Donald Trump offered up a video message for a birthday celebration for Ashli Babbitt, the woman who was killed by police while attempting to breach a barricade during the Capitol riot on January 6.
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The nearly two and a half minute pre-recorded message was played for Babbitt’s family and friends gathered to pay tribute to her on Sunday.
In it, the former president called Ashli “a truly incredible person” whose “memory will live on in our hearts for all time.” He painstakingly recounted her military service, hyping her up before segueing directly into the Capitol riot, almost making it sound as if her siding with the domestic terrorists who attacked the building was a continuation of the war against terror.
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“On that horrible day of January 6, Ashli arrived at the United States Capitol. She was shot and tragically killed. Today would have been her birthday. Happy birthday, Ashli,” he told those present. “My heart, and the heart of millions of Americans across the country are with everyone — everyone — who knew and loved her.”
Unsurprisingly, Trump also made sure to stoke further division, knowing it’s what those who believed his lies about election fraud and supported the riots would want to hear.
“There was no reason Ashli should have lost her life that day. We must all demand justice for Ashli and her family,” he said. “So on this solemn occasion, as we celebrate her life, we renew our call for a fair and non-partisan investigation into the death of Ashli Babbitt.”
Of course, the Department of Justice has already closed an investigation into the shooting.
In April, they determined the officer acted accordingly.
Babbitt was shot while among a group of rioters smashing through glass doors in an attempt to break through a barricade. The group was told repeatedly to stop, but Babbitt instead tried to climb through one of the doors and was shot in the shoulder.
But those facts haven’t mattered to those who believe Babbitt’s death was unjustified any more than the facts of the election mattered to those who stormed the Capitol on January 6.
“They killed my daughter, and they jailed patriots, and they said ‘look what happens when you question us,’” Babbitt’s mother said on Sunday.
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And while Babbitt’s friends and family may have appreciated Trump speaking out once again on her behalf, many people weren’t as thrilled at these continued attempts to twist the narrative.
Once again: Ashli Babbitt was a terrorist. She joined in a coordinated attack on the U.S. Capitol and ignored many warnings. She was a veteran and knew exactly what she was doing. Reject the narrative that white women are excused from accountability. It’s incredibly insulting.
— Charlotte Clymer
(@cmclymer) October 10, 2021
*First Published: October 11, 2021, 7:15 am
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