A new Justice Department investigation pulls back the curtain on FBI operations during one of America's most contentious political events.
According to Fox News, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz's report disclosed that 26 FBI confidential human sources were present at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, with only three officially assigned to monitor the events.
The report emphasizes that none of these informants received authorization to enter restricted areas or engage in illegal activities. Of the 26 confidential human sources present, 23 attended on their own initiative, while three were specifically tasked by the FBI to gather intelligence on potential domestic terrorism subjects planning to attend the electoral certification.
Four confidential sources entered the Capitol building during the riot, including one who was officially tasked by the FBI. An additional 11 informants accessed the restricted area surrounding the Capitol. The FBI maintains that these actions occurred without bureau authorization or direction.
The Department of Homeland Security had not designated the electoral certification as a highest-security-level event, resulting in the FBI taking a minor supporting role. Despite this limited scope, Horowitz's report indicates the bureau took appropriate preparatory measures.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan expressed concern about the findings, stating:
This report confirms what we suspected. The FBI had encouraged and tasked confidential human sources to be at the capitol that day. There were 26 total present. Four entered the Capitol and weren't charged, which is not the same treatment that other Americans received.
The release of this report coincides with significant changes in FBI leadership. FBI Director Christopher Wray announced his resignation, scheduled for next month, ahead of the potential return of Donald Trump to office.
Jordan drew connections between two inspector general reports released this week – one focusing on confidential human sources on January 6 and another revealing FBI surveillance of congressional staffers during the Trump-Russia investigation. These revelations may have influenced Wray's decision to depart.
The FBI has accepted Horowitz's recommendations for improving event preparation procedures, particularly for incidents that present potential domestic security concerns but lack special security designations from DHS.
The Department of Homeland Security has already designated the upcoming 2025 electoral certification as a national special security event. This classification ensures enhanced coordination between federal agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service, and Capitol Police.
These findings have sparked renewed debate about the FBI's role in monitoring domestic political events. The presence of multiple unauthorized informants within restricted areas raises questions about oversight and accountability.
For future events, the FBI commits to reassessing its preparation protocols, particularly regarding the division of responsibilities between field offices and headquarters. This restructuring aims to prevent confusion and improve operational efficiency during similar situations.
The Justice Department Inspector General's investigation has revealed the extensive presence of FBI informants during the January 6 Capitol riot, with 26 confidential human sources on the scene and only three officially assigned to attend. This disclosure comes amid broader scrutiny of FBI operations and leadership changes. The report's recommendations focus on improving coordination between FBI field offices and headquarters while maintaining appropriate boundaries for confidential human source activities.
