Micki Witthoeft, the mother of Ashli Babbitt, who died during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, found herself in a scuffle with an anti-fascist protester during a Memorial Day march from the Capitol to the Washington, D.C., jail.
Witthoeft joined other supporters of the Jan. 6 attack in a march honoring her daughter, an Air Force veteran, chanting “Ashli Babbitt!” along the route. An individual known as Anarchy Princess, live-streaming the event, continuously shouted derogatory remarks about Babbitt throughout the march.
Documentarian Ford Fischer captured the incident, reporting that the counter-protester used a megaphone to hurl insults such as “Terrorists coming through your neighborhood! Ashli Babbitt’s mom, domestic terrorist! Nazis incoming! Insurrectionist losers!” as the group approached the jail.
At one point, Witthoeft can be seen on camera pushing the protester, grabbing her megaphone, and throwing it to the ground. Babbitt’s mother expressed her perspective, saying, “My daughter served this country for their freedom to be idiots, so you’re welcome,” in response to the taunting.
Upon reaching the jail where several Jan. 6 defendants are held, Anarchy Princess raised her middle finger, which Witthoeft swatted away. Witthoeft then pushed the protester, who threatened to press charges. No arrests were made.
Fischer also reported that Anarchy Princess mocked the mother of Robert Gieswein, a Jan. 6 defendant who pleaded guilty, referring to a pouch on his vest that said: “My Mom Thinks I’m Special.” Gieswein’s mother retorted, “Did your momma not love you?” while another person questioned the protester’s hostility, asking, “Why are you so full of hate?”
Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot while attempting to breach a window leading to the House chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, as lawmakers sought shelter inside. The Capitol Police deemed the officer’s actions justified, and no disciplinary action was taken. However, supporters of the Jan. 6 event continue to believe Babbitt was “murdered” and have elevated her to a martyr for their cause.
