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(READ) Democrats steered taxpayer money to officer who shot Ashli Babbitt
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The following is from Just the News.
Internal emails reveal that House Democrats, led by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, exerted pressure on the US Capitol Police (USCP) to provide extraordinary financial support and benefits to Lt. Michael Byrd after he fatally shot unarmed protester Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Despite Byrd’s significant disciplinary record, which included multiple referrals to the USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, efforts were made to secure him bonuses, housing assistance, and even a promotion.
The emails, obtained by the House Administration Oversight Subcommittee chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, document that Byrd received a $37,000 retention bonus—far exceeding the $3,000 awarded to other officers involved in the Jan. 6 response. Additionally, Pelosi’s office worked with Capitol Police leadership to explore ways to provide more benefits, including utilizing a memorial fund intended for wounded officers. Byrd reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of financial support, prompting USCP officials to help establish a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $164,000 with promotional assistance from Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California).
In his communications, Byrd voiced frustration with being “lumped in” with other officers injured on Jan. 6, despite already receiving significant funds. “We play the game as you request, and then once we’re in compliance, you guys change the rules on us,” Byrd wrote to USCP General Counsel Thomas DiBiase.
The subcommittee’s findings also highlighted the disparity in how Byrd was treated compared to other officers. “Byrd gets $37,000, while frontline officers get $3,000. It’s not equally played,” Loudermilk stated. He questioned whether Byrd’s past record should have disqualified him from service, let alone a promotion.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk addressed his concerns about the Capitol Police’s decisions in a detailed letter to USCP Chief Thomas Manger. The letter raises questions about fairness, transparency, and Byrd’s eligibility for promotion, given his disciplinary record.
Judicial Watch and other watchdog groups have voiced continued demands for transparency in the USCP’s actions and their collaboration with Democratic leaders in such cases.
Read the full article here.
Read Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s letter here or below.
November 20, 2024
Chief J. Thomas Manger
Chief of Police
United States Capitol Police
119 D St. NE
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chief Manger,
I write to you today in my capacity as Chairman of the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight (“Subcommittee”) to better understand the promotion process and factors considered for promotion at the United States Capitol Police (“USCP”). As Chairman of the Subcommittee, I have jurisdiction over the safety and security of the United States Capitol. Rule X of the Rules of House of Representatives of the 118th Congress grants the Committee on House Administration jurisdiction over “services to the House,” which includes the “administration of the House Office Buildings and of the House wing of the Capitol.” Additionally, according to Rule 17 of the Rules of the Committee, the Subcommittee is given explicit jurisdiction over the Committee’s “matters relating to congressional security.” As such, the Subcommittee is responsible for ensuring that USCP has the resources needed to effectively provide for the safety and security of the Capitol and that USCP operates in a manner to successfully accomplish its mission.
After the events of January 6, 2021, it was clear that USCP required significant operational changes to ensure the security and safety of the U.S. Capitol Complex, Members, staff, and visitors.
As a Legislative Branch entity, the Subcommittee has a more direct oversight responsibility with USCP than with executive branch law enforcement entities. Nonetheless, Congress should not play a direct role in the operations and security decisions at USCP. However, it is appropriate for this Subcommittee to review decisions made by USCP. The Subcommittee is aware that the USCP recently promoted Michael Byrd from Lieutenant to Captain. I have concerns about this decision given Byrd’s lengthy disciplinary history and the apparent political influence of internal operational decisions related to Byrd following January 6, 2021.
The Subcommittee has learned that Captain Byrd was referred to the USCP Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) in 2004 for an incident in Prince George’s County, Maryland, in which then-Sergeant Byrd discharged his service weapon at a fleeing vehicle. On April 5, 2004, Byrd and his wife were awoken at their home by a loud banging noise coming from outside their residence. According to Byrd, he observed two vans parked outside his neighbor’s house. Byrd then retrieved his USCP credentials and service weapon and went outside to investigate further.
According to Byrd, the first van accelerated toward him in an apparent attempt to hit him. Byrd claimed he shouted “stop” and fired two rounds at the oncoming vehicle. Byrd further claimed that after firing at the oncoming vehicle, he jumped out of the way, but the second vehicle then drove toward him in another attempt to hit him. According to Byrd, he then fired a single round into the driver’s side windshield and jumped out of the way.
After this encounter, Prince George’s County Police found both vans and conducted a search of the vehicles. According to police, there were no bullet holes in either van’s windshield. Police found a bullet hole near the gas cap of the second van, indicating it was shot at from behind.
OPR determined Byrd violated USCP’s Use of Force Policy and Use of Weapon Policy by discharging his weapon in a “careless and imprudent manner.” Byrd improperly discharged his service weapon while his neighbor was in the line of fire and after both stolen vehicles had passed by him.
In 2015, Byrd was referred to OPR for an incident involving a verbal altercation at a high school football game. Byrd reportedly used vulgar and abusive language toward an officer, accusing him of being racist. OPR sustained a charge of Conduct Unbecoming, resulting in a seven-day suspension without pay.
In 2019, Byrd was referred to OPR for leaving his loaded service weapon in a bathroom in the Capitol Visitor’s Center. The weapon was left unattended for approximately 55 minutes before being discovered by another officer. OPR sustained charges for violating compliance with directives and issued weapons policies, resulting in a 33-day suspension without pay.
USCP records indicate three additional OPR referrals against Byrd; however, records for these investigations are reportedly missing. This lack of records hinders the Subcommittee’s ability to conduct comprehensive oversight.
Following January 6, 2021, the USCP provided Byrd with significant benefits and accommodations, including an unrestricted $36,000 retention bonus, six months of housing at local hotels, and security upgrades to his home. Byrd was placed on administrative leave and signed a telework agreement but did not return to work until nearly a year later. Despite his failure to return to work, Byrd was not disciplined, and the USCP retroactively provided him with administrative leave for the days he refused to work.
The Subcommittee is concerned that USCP treated Byrd more favorably than other officers and that these actions may have been influenced by political considerations.
To assist in our oversight and ensure USCP’s apolitical role, I request that USCP respond to the following:
- What is the USCP process for promotion to Captain?
- What consideration is given to previous OPR findings when an officer is considered for promotion?
- Who made the decision to promote Byrd, and how was this decision reached?
- Please provide copies of all administrative manuals, standard operating procedures, or directives related to USCP’s disciplinary process.
- What is USCP’s record retention policy with respect to OPR records?
- Does USCP have a policy related to Fitness for Duty Evaluations?
Additionally, please preserve and produce all digital records for Captain Michael Byrd, including emails, text messages, calendars, notes, and files, from January 1, 2021, through January 1, 2024.
Sincerely,
Barry Loudermilk
Chairman
Subcommittee on Oversight
Committee on House Administration
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