Judicial Watch Sues DC Police For January 6 Bodycam Footage

Judicial Watch has filed a lawsuit against Washington, D.C., to obtain bodycam footage from Metropolitan Police Department officers, including Michael Fanone, recorded during the January 6 Capitol riot. This action follows nearly three years of efforts to access the footage through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which was initially denied due to an ongoing criminal investigation.

In July 2021, Fanone testified before Congress about his experiences, stating that his bodycam footage documented the violence he faced. Despite his retirement, the footage has not been made public. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton emphasized the public’s right to transparency, stating, “The American people deserve the full picture from the incident at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.”

Fitton criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the investigation, arguing that the footage is crucial for public understanding. “None of the rules for the disclosure, transparency, prosecution investigation have been followed,” he said. “This body cam footage is certainly going to be in the public interest to get out sooner rather than later.”

Fanone has also expressed his support for the release of the footage. In his testimony to the House Select Committee, he remarked, “My body camera captured the violence of the crowd directed toward me during those very frightening moments. It’s an important part of the record for this Committee’s investigation and for the country’s understanding of how I was assaulted and nearly killed as the mob attacked the Capitol that day, and I hope that everyone will be able to watch it.”

Judicial Watch’s legal battle aims to shed light on the events of January 6 and ensure transparency in the ongoing investigation.