DOJ Inspector General’s report reveals FBI informants present at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 riots, with most engaging in illegal activity
A recent bombshell report from the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has revealed that at least 26 FBI confidential informants were present in Washington, D.C., during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The report confirms that most of these informants engaged in illegal activity amid the chaos, raising serious questions about the FBI’s role and oversight during the events of that day.
For years, FBI leadership has maintained that the bureau did not have sources who “orchestrated” the riot. Claims suggesting otherwise were frequently dismissed as “conspiracy theories” by mainstream media.
“If you’re asking if the violence at the Capitol was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources or agents, the answer is no!” outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray told lawmakers in July. Despite repeated inquiries, Wray refused to disclose the exact number of informants present during the incident.
Informants Inside the Capitol
The OIG report, released Thursday, indicates that four FBI informants entered the Capitol building during the riot, while 13 others entered restricted areas around the Capitol grounds. Only nine of the 26 informants were not found to have engaged in illegal activity.
The findings contradict the FBI’s long-standing narrative and have intensified scrutiny of the bureau’s handling of the situation. Critics argue that the presence of FBI informants engaging in illegal acts undermines public trust in federal law enforcement and raises ethical concerns about the use of confidential sources in high-stakes events.
Calls for Accountability
Lawmakers and watchdog groups are now calling for further investigation into the FBI’s actions on Jan. 6. Questions linger about how much the bureau knew beforehand, the extent of its informants’ involvement, and whether more transparency could have mitigated the chaos.
The report’s revelations are likely to add fuel to ongoing debates about government accountability and the handling of investigations into politically charged events.
THRIVE! News will continue to monitor and report on developments as the fallout from this report unfolds.
