National Guard mission to protect U.S. Capitol pegged at $483M

The deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to protect the U.S. Capitol is estimated to cost $483 million through March 15, according to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby.

Kirby told reporters in a press conference today that personnel accounts for $284 million of the total cost, while $199 million covers operations.

Approximately 26,000 Guard troops were deployed to Washington last month to protect the presidential inauguration following a violent Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, in which a pro-Trump mob stormed the building as Congress convened to certify President Biden's Electoral College victory.

Former President Trump was impeached by the House on the grounds he incited the insurrection. The Senate will conduct Trump's impeachment trial this week.

The Pentagon said last month more than 5,000 Guard troops will remain deployed at the Capitol through mid-March.

Meanwhile, fences and tight security protocols have been put in place around the Capitol and the length of the National Guard mission there remains uncertain.