On January 6—when a mob of pro-Trump extremists stormed the United States Capitol in an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election—a security officer shot and killed conspiracy theorist Ashli Babbitt as she and the insurrectionists tried to infiltrate the Speakers' Gallery through a shattered window.
In addition to repeatedly dismissing the severity of the Capitol Riots, numerous Republican elected officials, media personalities, voters, and even former President Donald Trump himself leapt to paint Babbitt as some sort of patriotic martyr, co-opting Black activists' use of the hashtag #SayHerName, which had historically been used to memorialize Black women murdered by police.
Conservative media personalities like Tucker Carlson urged millions of viewers to pursue the name of the officer who shot Babbitt, despite the fact he was cleared of wrongdoing.
They falsely claimed Babbitt was the only person killed during the riots, suggesting that the rioters were the ones in real danger. In reality, pro-Trump rioters trampled one of their fellow "patriots," Rosanne Boyland, to death. A wave of Capitol and D.C. Metro police officer suicides also occurred in the days and months following the riots.
But if conservatives working to sanitize the legacy and actions of Babbitt are looking for someone to blame, a recent report suggests they should turn the gaze on their own party—particularly, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
A recent Washington Post report detailing the inside of the Capitol during the hours of the riots reported that:
Sen. Lindsey O. Graham was irate that senators were forced to flee their own chamber. He yelled at the Senate sergeant-at-arms. 'What are you doing? Take back the Senate! You've got guns. Use them.' The South Carolina senator was adamant. 'We give you guns for a reason,' he repeated. 'Use them.'"
While Graham himself has never praised Babbitt or her actions, the Senator's words led some to call out the Republicans working to sanctify her as a patriot.
Who killed Ashli Babbitt? I guess Lindsey Graham did.pic.twitter.com/0gyrAZIfg0— David Waldman-1, of Yorktown LLC\u2122 (@David Waldman-1, of Yorktown LLC\u2122) 1635784373
Total silence from GQP Republicans who defend domestic terrorist Ashli Babbitt about Lindsey Graham telling the Sergeant-at-Arms to use guns on insurrectionists who were attacking. It\u2019s so obvious what they choose to ignore.— Ricky Davila (@Ricky Davila) 1635797723
You guys now know who killed Ashli Babbitt. Lindsey Graham and Cult 45.pic.twitter.com/NFZ3S8T2LJ— Malachi Stazz (@Malachi Stazz) 1635786546
So Lindsey Graham told cops to shoot the terrorists on Jan 6th like Ashli Babbitt.\n\nLet me sit back & watch MAGA (who supports shooting unarmed protesters) be confused on what to be mad at today.pic.twitter.com/vKxNYWZTIw— Juice A Non (@Juice A Non) 1635788851
So now y\u2019all can blame Lindsey Graham for Ashli Babbitt\u2019s death and not the black cop who shot her. Fine with me.https://twitter.com/ericmmatheny/status/1455189966972231688\u00a0\u2026— ashley (@ashley) 1635798099
Lindsey Graham wanted every protester at the Capitol shot - just like Ashley Babbitt was shot - he admits that he told police\u00a0to\u00a0'use' their guns against Jan. 6 rioters.https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lindsey-graham-capitol-police-shoot-jan-6-guns\u00a0\u2026— KC-Trump-Man (@KC-Trump-Man) 1635779261
Soon, conservative conspiracy theorists who lionized Babbitt followed suit.
Ashli Babbitt was an unarmed Air Force veteran who was shot at close range by a Capitol Police officer during the protest. Her killer will not be charged...THE SAME OFFICER GRAHAM ORDER MULTIPLE TIMES TO USE HIS GUN...— Anthony (@Anthony) 1635784018
Did Graham know it was a set up by FBI and wanted blood spilled?\n\nDid his urgent calls get Ashli Babbitt murdered?https://twitter.com/LisaArmstead1/status/1455213557281341443\u00a0\u2026— Princess Gizmo (@Princess Gizmo) 1635788644
Ashli Babbitt was an unarmed Air Force veteran who was shot at close range by a Capitol Police officer during the protest. Her killer will not be charged...THE SAME OFFICER GRAHAM ORDER MULTIPLE TIMES TO USE HIS GUN...— Anthony (@Anthony) 1635784018
Ouch.
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