House Democrats pressured the U. S. Capitol Police to give special financial support and a promotion to Lt. Michael Byrd, the officer who shot unarmed protester Ashli Babbitt during the January 6 riot. This pressure led to significant taxpayer and charitable assistance for Byrd, which was not offered to other officers present that day, as shown in internal emails.
Democratic representatives, including then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, urged the Capitol Police to provide support for Byrd, who expressed dissatisfaction with the aid he received and sought more. Internal communications revealed Byrd's frustration and complaints that Capitol Police changed the terms of their assistance after he complied with their requests.
Although Byrd was informed he could not access immediate funds from a memorial fund intended for injured officers, Capitol Police managed to set up a GoFundMe campaign that generated over $160,000 for him, with contributions from various congressional members, including Rep. Eric Swalwell. Investigations also highlighted Byrd's prior disciplinary record, which included several serious incidents and suspensions.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, who investigated this matter, raised concerns about Byrd's promotion despite his history. He noted that while assistance was understandable given Byrd's situation following the shooting, the scale of support given to him greatly exceeded what other officers received after January 6. For instance, Byrd received a $37,000 retention bonus compared to a $3,000 bonus given to other officers.
Emails also indicated that Capitol Police sought ways to assist Byrd further, including potential financial benefits from the memorial fund and attempts to promote him to captain, despite his disciplinary history. Eventually, despite initial hesitation, Byrd was promoted to captain two years later.
Byrd received considerable assistance from the Capitol Police, including housing, security upgrades due to perceived threats after the January 6 incident, and financial benefits that exceeded those offered to other officers. The department provided him security details, covered hotel expenses, and made substantial upgrades to his home, including creating safe rooms and camera installations.
Rep. Loudermilk's investigation highlighted the significant funding and personal attention Byrd received, which raised questions about fairness and accountability within the Capitol Police. Byrd's frustration regarding the pace of financial assistance came through in emails where he criticized the police department for treating him the same as other officers injured on that day. Additionally, internal discussions took place regarding how to further support Byrd while considering the implications of his disciplinary record.
Although the GoFundMe campaign helped address some of Byrd's financial issues, the Capitol Police initially hesitated to provide additional compensation from the memorial fund. Byrd expressed disappointment over this decision and communicated his frustrations in follow-up emails, emphasizing his unique circumstances.
Capitol Police also engaged in discussions with Democratic leadership about Byrd's situation, striving to provide favorable assistance beyond what was routinely available to other officers. The investigation underscored both the pressures exerted by lawmakers and the Capitol Police's efforts to align their responses to support Byrd in light of his controversial status post-January 6.
Overall, the committee's findings reflect concerns surrounding preferential treatment and the complexity of managing officer support amidst ongoing scrutiny and disciplinary considerations.
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