An Office of Inspector General (OIG) report revealed Thursday that 26 confidential intelligence sources (CHS) working with the FBI in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot were arrested in January 2021. It was revealed that he was in Washington DC on the 6th.
CHS was not an undercover employee, but provided information to FBI “agents,” the report said. state. On January 6, the FBI field office ordered three of the sources to “debrief on domestic terrorism matters” in Washington, D.C.
The OIG noted that no CHS was authorized to enter restricted areas or violate laws, including the U.S. Capitol. However, four of the sources were inside the Capitol during the riot, and 13 entered the secure area around the building.
“No one from CHS who entered the Capitol or restricted areas has ever been charged,” the report said. (Related: In case you missed it, Ray Epps’ lawsuit against Tucker went viral)
One CHS person was reimbursed for travel expenses on Jan. 6 and the day of the inauguration, the report said. The OIG noted that CHS is not tasked with attending elector certification.
BREAKING NEWS: The FBI had 26 confidential intelligence sources at the Capitol on January 6th, according to the just-released Justice Department Inspector General reporter, four of whom broke into the Capitol and 13 who were in the area surrounding the Capitol. It is said that he entered a “restricted area”. pic.twitter.com/Zq9ftlp7Q6
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 12, 2024
Many CHSs provided election eligibility information before the event, and some provided details about the riot. One CHS member had “contact” with Oath Keepers leadership, the report said.
The Oath Keepers are a right-wing militia group that was involved in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2020. However, the scheme also involved multiple FBI agents and informants. (Related article: Last three people acquitted in Whitmer kidnapping plot packed with FBI intervention)
On January 6, a CHS also shared information about the travel plans of another right-wing group, the Proud Boys, according to the report. The New York Times previously reported The FBI said it had about eight informants in the group in the months before and after the Capitol riot.
The group’s former leader, Enrique Tarrio, was previously an informant for federal and local law enforcement agencies. According to to Reuters.
Contacted for comment, the FBI referred the Daily Caller to its response in Appendix 2 of the report.
“The FBI continues to follow certain factual allegations in the report regarding the manner of certain actions and the scope of investigations conducted by the FBI prior to January 6, 2021, the period recognized by the report. Although not agreed, the FBI has accepted OIG recommendations regarding potential process improvements for future events, including the Washington Field Office and multiple field offices providing information in response to direction from FBI Headquarters. ,” the FBI wrote.
The FBI noted that no one at CHS was directed to violate any laws, and the OIG found no evidence that there were undercover FBI agents at the protests or at the Capitol.
The OIG concluded that the FBI failed to formally investigate classified intelligence source (CHS) information prior to January 6.
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— House Judiciary Republican 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) December 12, 2024
The FBI did not request information from field offices until January 6, which it said “may have helped the FBI and law enforcement prepare for January 6.” According to Go to OIG’s press release.
This contradicts what the FBI initially reported to Congress, but the OIG said the FBI’s inaccurate statements were due to “confusion and lack of coordination.” (Related: FBI agent refuses to cooperate with Biden administration’s anti-‘extremism’ policy – it cost him career)
Among other recommendations, the report says the FBI should “clearly define” how it will determine whether a CHS investigation or nationwide intelligence gathering is necessary.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.
