• For full details of graphics available/in preparation, see Menu -> Planners
Graphic shows costs reported by The Washington Post.
GN41036EN

POLITICS

The cost of inciting insurrection

By Duncan Mil

February 9, 2021 - According to the Washington Post, claims by President Donald Trump that sparked a deadly riot at the Capitol cost the U.S. taxpayer over $500 million in enhanced security, property repairs, and legal fees.

More than $480 million of the total is attributable to the military’s estimated expenses for the troop deployment through mid-March. The financial impact of President Trump’s refusal to concede the election is probably much higher than the Post’s analysis thus far.

The 25,000 National Guard troops deployed to Washington, after the attempted insurrection that overwhelmed Capitol police and ended in five deaths, stayed in local D.C. hotels as well as sleeping in Congress.

The additional surge of 850 Washington Metropolitan police officers brings the troop and police costs to $488.8 million. And this excludes U.S. Park Police and U.S. Capitol Police.

State costs associated with January 6 and inauguration-related security reached at least $28.3 million. In California, state officials estimated they spent about $19 million from January 14 to 21 to protect the state Capitol in Sacramento and other locations.

According to federal campaign finance filings, Trump and his allies spent more than $11 million in futile legal cases on election-related legal challenges. State costs related to legal challenges and security for election officials reached at least $2.2 million.

The Post concludes that Trump’s alleged “incitement to insurrection” cost U.S. taxpayers $519.3 million.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 09/02/2021; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images
Advertisement