Let me ask you something—got any veterans in your family? If you do, you know that folded flag means everything. Those funeral honors aren’t just ceremonies. They’re America’s promise to those who served. The playing of Taps, the final salute, the carefully folded flag handed to a widow—these things used to stay above politics. Used to.

In recent years, even these sacred traditions became political weapons. Bureaucrats started deciding which veterans deserved honor based on their politics, not their service. Think about that for a second. Some desk jockey in Washington gets to erase your military service because they don’t like your politics? That’s exactly what happened to one Air Force veteran. The brass said honoring her would “bring discredit upon the Air Force.”

This week, the Air Force finally admitted they were wrong. Dead wrong. The US Air Force officially granted full military funeral honors to Senior Airman Ashli Babbitt. You know, the veteran shot and killed by Capitol Police on January 6, 2021. After years of denials and political games, new leadership looked at the facts. No politics. Just facts.

From ‘The Post Millennial’:

Undersecretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier wrote that after reviewing the circumstances of her death and “considering the information that has come forward since then,” he concluded the earlier denial was “incorrect.” Additionally, Lohmeier offered to meet with Babbitt’s family at the Pentagon. The reversal comes weeks after the federal government agreed to a nearly $5 million settlement with Babbitt’s family in a wrongful death lawsuit.

This isn’t just about one decision. It’s about whether military service means something or not. Babbitt served 14 years. She deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a security forces airman. She protected other Americans in combat zones. Those facts didn’t change between 2021 and 2025. Only the politics changed.

A Veteran’s Service Record

The original denial came from Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly in February 2021. He claimed giving funeral honors would hurt the Air Force’s reputation. Really? Since when does honoring a combat veteran’s service hurt anyone’s reputation? This decision wiped out 14 years of service with the stroke of a pen. Multiple combat deployments? Doesn’t matter. Volunteering to serve during wartime? Forget about it.

Here’s the thing that should make your blood boil. Babbitt did the job most Americans won’t do. Security forces airmen stand guard at bases around the world. They’re the ones checking vehicles at 3 AM in 120-degree heat. She did that in Iraq and Afghanistan, where any vehicle could be a bomb. The Department of Veterans Affairs says military funeral honors go to all veterans who served honorably. Babbitt earned that through 14 years of doing the hard stuff.

You can’t make this stuff up. The same people who talk about “supporting our troops” denied this veteran her honors. Why? Politics. Pure and simple. The federal government just paid her family $5 million in a wrongful death settlement. They originally asked for $30 million. That’s taxpayer money fixing a political vendetta.

Political Divisions Persist

Want to see how crazy this has gotten? Just look at the reactions. Retired General Mike Flynn celebrated the reversal. He said this shows “how a leader is supposed to act.” He asked that Babbitt finally rest in peace. Makes sense, right? A general supporting military honors for a veteran.

But Democrat Representative Adam Kinzinger? He lost his mind. Called Babbitt an “insurrectionist.” Said the Air Force was dishonoring itself. Really, Adam? That’s your take? A veteran with 14 years of service doesn’t deserve military honors because you don’t like her politics? This is the same guy who cries about democracy on CNN every night.

Here’s the kicker. Kinzinger’s reaction shows exactly what’s wrong. Military traditions are supposed to stay out of politics. When you start using military honors as political weapons, you break something important. You break the promise America makes to everyone who puts on the uniform. Serve honorably, and we’ll honor your service. Period. Not “serve honorably and agree with current political leadership.”

Key Takeaways

• Air Force reverses Biden-era denial of military honors for January 6 veteran Ashli Babbitt
• New leadership acknowledges the original decision was “incorrect” after reviewing evidence
• $5 million settlement and policy reversal highlight stark differences between administrations
• Democrats still oppose honoring a combat veteran’s service based on political disagreements

Sources: The Post Millennial, New York Post