Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz's testimony before Congress has raised questions about the potential presence of FBI informants during the January 6 Capitol riot.
As reported by Fox News, Horowitz did not deny the possibility that federal government confidential human sources were present among the crowd on January 6, 2021, during his testimony before the House Select Subcommittee.
The hearing, initially focused on alleged FBI practices concerning security clearances and whistleblowers, took an unexpected turn when Representative Thomas Massie, R-Ky., questioned Horowitz about his ongoing review of the Justice Department's actions surrounding the Capitol riot.
Horowitz revealed that his office is currently conducting a review of the Justice Department's actions related to the events of January 6. This investigation, which was temporarily paused due to ongoing criminal investigations, has since been restarted.
The inspector general was unable to provide specific details about the number of confidential human sources present at the Capitol on January 6, citing the draft status of the report and pending classification reviews. However, he did not outright deny their presence.
Horowitz expressed hope that the report would be made public within the next couple of months, though likely after the upcoming election. He assured the committee that the report would include information regarding confidential human sources at the Capitol.
Representative Massie pressed Horowitz on several specific points regarding potential FBI informants at the Capitol. When asked about the number of confidential human sources operating on the Capitol grounds, Horowitz deferred to the forthcoming report.
Massie's questioning became more pointed when he inquired about the number of informants who entered the Capitol building and those who were reimbursed for travel. Horowitz maintained that such information would be included in the report but stated he couldn't recall specific numbers at the time of the hearing.
The exchange highlighted the sensitivity of the information and the careful approach Horowitz is taking in discussing the ongoing investigation. He emphasized the need to complete classification reviews before disclosing certain details.
The testimony of Inspector General Horowitz has potential implications for ongoing investigations and public understanding of the events of January 6. His reluctance to deny the presence of FBI informants has sparked further interest in the role of federal agencies during the riot.
The forthcoming report from the Office of the Inspector General is now highly anticipated, with expectations that it will provide clarity on the extent of federal involvement on January 6. Horowitz's indication that the report will include information about confidential human sources has heightened interest in its contents.
The timeline for the report's release, potentially after the election but before the next presidential inauguration, adds a political dimension to its forthcoming revelations. This timing could impact ongoing debates about the events of January 6 and their investigation.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz's testimony before the House Select Subcommittee has brought renewed attention to the potential presence of FBI informants during the January 6 Capitol riot. While not confirming specifics, Horowitz did not deny the possibility and indicated that his forthcoming report would address the issue of confidential human sources at the Capitol. The anticipated release of this report in the coming months is expected to provide crucial information about federal involvement in the events of January 6, 2021.
