A highly anticipated report released by the Justice Department’s Inspector General, Michael Horowitz, has shed new light on the FBI’s use of confidential human sources during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. The report reveals significant shortcomings in intelligence management and coordination, sparking critical questions about the FBI’s preparedness and oversight.
The investigation focused on the FBI’s deployment of confidential informants leading up to and during January 6. The findings show that 26 confidential sources were present at the Capitol, far exceeding the three officially assigned to monitor events. Four of these sources entered the Capitol building, 13 entered restricted areas outside, and nine remained in non-restricted areas, engaging in no illegal activity.
The report confirms that none of these sources were prosecuted, nor were they authorized by the FBI to commit or incite unlawful actions. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that informants played leadership roles in organizing the day’s events or directly incited violence. These findings have raised important questions about the FBI’s handling of confidential sources and their role in the events surrounding January 6.
