Topline
Federal authorities have raised their estimate of property damage from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to $2.73 million, according to a Friday court filing in the case of a man who pleaded guilty to participated in the riot, which left shattered windows, smashed doors and stained paint. with pepper spray and tear gas.
Workers clean up damage to the Capitol building January 7, 2021 in Washington, DC.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
Highlights
In March, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia estimated that the riot caused approximately $1.5 million in property damage.
But Friday’s filing included a revised estimate of $2,734,783.14 from the Capitol’s architect, Capitol police, House chief administrative office and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.
The final cost of the Capitol riot could exceed $30 million, taking into account the cost of mental health counseling for riot victims and other more indirect costs incurred by rioters, said Brett Blanton, the architect of the Capitol, to Congress in February 2021.
An investigation into riot casualties, including damage to the Capitol building itself and surrounding areas, is ongoing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said in a statement.
Key Context
During the riot, Capitol workers rushed to salvage artwork and furniture from the building, opening vents to evacuate chemical vapors and salvaging items like the approximately 203-year-old silver inkwell present at most House Sessions, probably the oldest artefact of the House Chambers. Despite this, numerous works of art were damaged, including five granite and marble busts of former Speakers of the House, a bronze bust of Chippewa leader Beshekee, two portraits of former Speakers, and a statue of Thomas Jefferson , all covered in chemical residue during the attack. The Conservatives told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislature they would undertake about six projects a year to repair riot damage, costing $25,000 in the first year and between $1,000 and $25,000 dollars per year thereafter. However, those costs were dwarfed by the price tag for increased security around the Capitol in the two months following the riot, which cost at least $30 million.
Tangent
Friday’s updated property damage estimate was released during a hearing for Anthony Vuksanaj, 52, of Mahopac, New York, who pleaded guilty to charges related to his involvement in the riot and agreed to pay $500 in restitution to the Treasury Department and who could face an additional $5,000 fine plus additional restitution and six months in jail.
What we don’t know
Federal authorities have not explained why property damage estimates from the riot have risen so precipitously since March.
Further reading
“Art damaged during the Capitol Riots will likely cost $25,000 to repair” (Forbes)
