Official statements or press releases from the FBI or Department of Justice

DOJ Report: 26 FBI Informants at Jan. 6 Riot; Four Entered Capitol

Dec 12, 2024, 11:50 PM

A report released on Thursday by U.S. Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz concluded that the FBI did not deploy undercover agents to participate in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, finding no evidence that federal agents incited the violence. The investigation revealed that the FBI had 26 confidential human sources (informants) present in Washington, D.C., on January 6. Of these informants, 13 entered restricted areas, and four entered the Capitol building without authorization. One informant received reimbursement from the FBI for travel expenses to Washington, D.C., on January 6. The FBI did not authorize any informants to engage in unlawful activities, and none of those who entered the Capitol have been prosecuted. The report also noted that the FBI failed to adequately gather and share intelligence prior to the riot, despite telling Congress that it had commissioned its field offices to collect such information. The findings counter conspiracy theories alleging federal agents played a significant role in the events.