The Justice Department’s Inspector General, Michael Horowitz, released a much-anticipated report on Thursday, shedding light on the FBI’s use of confidential human sources (CHS) in connection with the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. The report reveals significant shortcomings in intelligence management and coordination, raising questions about the FBI’s readiness and oversight during the events surrounding that day.
Horowitz’s investigation scrutinized the FBI’s deployment of confidential informants leading up to and during January 6, uncovering that 26 such sources were present at the Capitol—far more than the three officially assigned to monitor events.
Nine remained in non-restricted areas and engaged 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. There is no evidence that informants played leadership roles in organizing the day’s events or directly incited violence.
