Trial set for 2026 in Ashli Babbitt wrongful death case

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Ashli Babbitt's family against the United States government is set for trial on July 20, 2026. Babbitt was shot by law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot while attempting to breach the House Speaker's lobby. Her family is seeking $30 million in damages, alleging negligence on the part of U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd, who fired the fatal shot. Initially, both parties requested a trial date in 2027, but U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes deemed this unacceptable, insisting on a date no later than December 2025. After discussions, the trial was rescheduled to 2026 due to scheduling conflicts. The judge emphasized the need for cooperation between the parties to avoid extensive discovery disputes, which could complicate the proceedings. Discovery is expected to take around eight months, with both sides agreeing to limit the number of requests to prevent the case from becoming overly complicated. The government expressed concerns that Babbitt's legal team might broaden the inquiry into the events of January 6, while Babbitt's lawyers worry about the government shielding certain facts to limit liability. Judge Reyes has made it clear that she expects both parties to work collaboratively to resolve any issues that arise during the discovery phase. She warned that any disregard for her instructions would require a compelling justification, indicating her commitment to maintaining order in the proceedings.