A report released Thursday by Inspector General Michael Horowitz reveals new details about the FBI’s involvement in the events of January 6, 2021.
The report states that the FBI had 26 confidential human sources (CHSs) among the crowd at the Capitol, including three specifically tasked to be present by the FBI.
Of these three, one entered the Capitol building, while two entered the restricted area around it. Additionally, three other CHSs entered the Capitol, and 11 entered restricted areas. None of these individuals have been prosecuted.
IG report reveals that 26 FBI sources were on the ground at J6, with 3 of them entering the Capitol Building.pic.twitter.com/NHIMCiGMeM
— Resist Times (@resistupdates) December 12, 2024
According to the report, the FBI deployed three CHSs to monitor specific domestic terrorism concerns. These individuals were tasked with reporting on potential threats related to known subjects attending the January 6 events.
While the FBI did not instruct these sources to enter restricted areas or engage in illegal activity, one did enter the Capitol building itself.
The remaining 23 CHSs in the crowd were not directed by the FBI but were individuals already affiliated with groups attending the events.
Horowitz emphasized that these sources were not undercover FBI agents but rather individuals who had previously worked with the FBI in intelligence-gathering capacities.
Horowitz’s report highlights that the FBI played a supporting role in preparing for and responding to the events of January 6. This limited role was partly due to the Department of Homeland Security not classifying the certification of the Electoral College as a high-security event. Despite this, the report states that the FBI took “significant and appropriate steps” to prepare for potential violence.
However, the report also points to missed opportunities. The FBI did not conduct a formal canvass of its field offices to gather intelligence from CHSs ahead of January 6.
FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate acknowledged this oversight, calling it a “basic step that was missed.” This lack of coordination contributed to inaccurate reports to Congress, where the FBI mistakenly claimed it had conducted such a canvass. The report concludes that these inaccuracies were not intentional but were due to confusion and poor communication.
The report underscores that the FBI did not possess critical intelligence that could have altered the course of events on January 6. It also highlights the need for better coordination and intelligence-gathering practices in the future.
The January 6 events have since become a focal point for political and legal battles. The Department of Justice, under President Joe Biden, has prosecuted nearly 1,500 individuals for their roles that day.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who faces prosecution for allegedly inciting the crowd, has pledged to pardon non-violent offenders if reelected.
The events of January 6 and the subsequent investigations have polarized public opinion. Horowitz’s report offers critical insights into the FBI’s role and highlights areas for improvement in intelligence gathering and preparation.
While it sheds light on the agency’s limited involvement, questions remain about the broader handling of that day’s events and the steps necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.