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FBI Missed Basic Step in Intelligence Gathering Before Jan. 6 Capitol Riot, Despite Sharing Warnings

Dec 12, 2024, 06:17 PM

A report by the Justice Department’s inspector general released on Thursday has found that the FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, despite having prepared for the possibility of violence. The report debunks conspiracy theories suggesting FBI involvement in instigating the riot, stating that no undercover FBI employees were present, and none of the bureau's informants were authorized to participate in the events. The FBI had 26 informants in Washington, D.C., on that day, but none were tasked to break the law or encourage illegal acts. The report highlights a missed 'basic step' in the FBI's intelligence gathering process, where it failed to canvass its 56 field offices for relevant information. This oversight could have potentially improved law enforcement preparations. The report also notes that the FBI did share intelligence with Capitol Police and other agencies, although Capitol Police leaders were unaware of a specific warning issued by the FBI's Norfolk, Virginia, field office the day before the riot.