‘Justice for J6’ rally cost agencies at least $792,500

Capitol Police aided by National Guard, local government.

WASHINGTON — Local governments and the National Guard spent at least $792,500 to assist U.S. Capitol Police in its response to the Sept. 18 “Justice for J6’ rally, a small right-wing rally supporting those arrested during the insurrection that prompted a massive law enforcement response and the reinstallation of the temporary Capitol perimeter fencing.

This is not the total cost to taxpayers as it does not include the response of Capitol Police, the head law enforcement agency that handled security Sept. 18, or the reinstallation of perimeter fencing. Instead, it mostly reflects the costs incurred by the D.C. police, estimated at $580,000, said Jenny Reed, the District’s director of the Office of Budget and Performance Management.

Other D.C. agencies incurred costs as well, with the Department of Public Works spending about $19,700 and the District Department of Transportation spending a “pretty marginal” amount, Reed said, noting that some other city agencies have yet to tally their costs. Police forces from around the area also were asked to pitch in, with officers from Northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs responding. Washington’s and Alexandria’s police and sheriff’s offices said they would seek reimbursement from the federal government.

Agencies in and around the nation’s capital are accustomed to responding to protests and demonstrations for a variety of causes. But the Sept. 18. rally, which was held on federal land near the U.S. Capitol, prompted significant media attention and a heightened security response because it was held in support of those charged in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Organizers had insisted the rally would be peaceful and ultimately, on the day of the rally, the protesters were outnumbered by journalists, police officers and counterprotesters.

Capitol Police said on Sept. 18 that between 400 and 450 people were observed within the protest zone; however, many of those were journalists and bystanders.

D.C. police had planned for the rally, asking the entire force of more than 3,500 members to work on both Sept. 17 and 18. Most of those officers did not receive overtime pay and instead were scheduled for alternative days off, said Kristen Metzger, a spokesperson for the department.

“MPD was out there, we were fully activated, and we recognize the rights of all those who come here to exercise their First Amendment rights,” Metzger said. “I think we accomplished that that day. We kept safety for everybody who attended or visited or was in the area. It was nothing like January 6 again.”

It is difficult to compare the costs incurred by the government for demonstrations or protests in Washington, which involve varying circumstances.

KENT NISHIMURA/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS U.S. Capitol Police officers, in full gear in anticipation of possible violence at a small right-wing rally Sept. 18, were backed up by local law enforcement officers and the National Guard.