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DOJ Report: 26 FBI Informants Present on Jan. 6; 17 Entered Restricted Areas

Dec 12, 2024, 08:22 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice's Inspector General released a report stating that 26 FBI confidential human sources were present in Washington, D.C., during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Of those, 17 entered either the Capitol building or restricted areas around it, with 13 entering the restricted perimeter and four entering the Capitol itself. The report found no evidence that the FBI had undercover agents participating in the riot or that any FBI personnel incited the events. The Inspector General noted that none of the confidential sources who entered the Capitol were authorized to do so by their handlers, and none were prosecuted. The report also refuted conspiracy theories advanced by some Republicans that the FBI played a role in instigating the riot. Additionally, it concluded that the FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the riot, despite some preparations for potential violence. The findings have sparked debate over the FBI's role in the events of January 6.