A new investigation has uncovered that House Democrats exerted pressure on the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) to provide financial and professional advantages to Lt. Michael Byrd, the officer who fatally shot unarmed protester Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 protests. Internal emails obtained by Just the News show Byrd received preferential treatment well beyond what other officers involved in the Capitol events were offered.

According to the report, Byrd was awarded a $37,000 retention bonus, over $21,000 in security upgrades for his Maryland home, and additional support through a GoFundMe campaign that raised $164,000. This far exceeded the benefits provided to other officers, sparking criticism from lawmakers and the public alike.

House Democrats, including aides to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), pushed for this extraordinary assistance, claiming Byrd needed more support after the shooting. Records reveal this pressure led the USCP to explore multiple avenues to satisfy Byrd’s demands, despite his disciplinary record and his dissatisfaction with the measures taken.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), chairman of the House Administration Oversight Subcommittee, expressed concerns about Byrd’s treatment. “The Capitol Police went to extremes for Byrd, awarding him far more than the officers on the front lines received. It was not an equal playing field,” he stated. Loudermilk also criticized Byrd’s promotion to captain in 2023, despite his questionable history.

Critics argue the incident highlights a double standard. While Democrats often decry police use of force against certain groups, they rallied around Byrd after his actions against Babbitt, a White supporter of President Donald Trump. The reaction to Babbitt’s death contrasts sharply with how similar cases involving unarmed Black victims are treated, underscoring the politicization of law enforcement.

Byrd’s promotion and the special treatment he received have drawn further scrutiny, with many questioning whether his actions justified such extraordinary support. Loudermilk’s probe suggests that the situation reveals deeper issues within the Capitol Police’s decision-making and the political influence exerted by Democratic lawmakers.