Judicial Watch has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the District of Columbia, seeking all bodycam footage captured by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Officer Michael Fanone and other MPD officers who responded to the January 6, 2021, Capitol protest (Judicial Watch v. District of Columbia (No. 2024-CAB-003453)).
The legal action follows the Metropolitan Police Department's denial of Judicial Watch’s August 2021 request for:
– All audio and video recordings from MPD officers' body-worn cameras during the Capitol protest.
– All body-worn camera footage by Officer Michael Fanone during the Capitol protest.
The MPD rejected the request, citing ongoing investigations and privacy concerns. Judicial Watch argued that the public interest outweighs privacy concerns and that ongoing investigations do not preclude the release of police bodycam footage. Despite acknowledging the appeal, the MPD did not respond further.
In May 2021, CNN aired exclusive footage of Officer Fanone being assaulted during the Capitol riot. Fanone later testified before a House Select Committee, emphasizing the importance of his bodycam footage in documenting the violence he faced.
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton stated, “The American people deserve the full picture from the incident at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. What are they hiding? The DC Metropolitan Police Department should be transparent and release these secret January 6 videos.”
Judicial Watch continues its extensive investigation into the events of January 6.
