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Members of the National Guard in front of the Capitol
Photo: MIKE THEILER / imago images / UPI Photo
The deployment of the National Guard to secure the Capitol in Washington is expected to cost just under $ 500 million (€ 415 million) by mid-March.
So far, 284 million has been estimated for personnel and another 199 million for general operational costs, said Defense Department spokesman John Kirby.
The National Guard had moved to reinforce local security forces following the forcible storming of the Capitol by supporters of then President Donald Trump on January 6.
As a result, more than 20,000 soldiers were temporarily active in the capital Washington.
The security measures around the Capitol, the seat of the US Congress, have been significantly strengthened since then.
A Pentagon spokesman said that around 6,200 National Guard soldiers were currently deployed to ensure security in Washington.
The newspaper "Washington Post" had already reported last week about the costs of the deployment of the National Guard.
At the time, however, the Pentagon did not comment on the cost.
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kfr / dpa