DOJ Confirmed 26 FBI Sources Were in D.C. on January 6
A December 2024 report detailed the presence of confidential human sources during the January 6 Capitol breach.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Terrorism
Live Poll
Do you trust the FBI to be transparent about its use of confidential sources?
A December 2024 Justice Department Office of Inspector General report confirmed 26 FBI confidential human sources were present in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021. The findings followed internal investigations into intelligence operations surrounding the certification of the presidential election.
Why it matters
The report provides oversight into the FBI’s intelligence gathering and use of human sources during the protest. It clarifies the extent of bureau involvement after public claims suggested hundreds of assets were embedded among demonstrators.
The Inspector General confirmed 26 total sources were present, with 3 tasked by field offices and 23 attending on their own initiative. The investigation found no evidence of undercover FBI employees embedded among the crowds.
The players
Justice Department Office of Inspector General
This independent entity within the U.S. Department of Justice conducts audits and investigations to promote integrity and efficiency.
Clay Higgins
He is a U.S. Representative who has actively sought information regarding the FBI's role and human source operations during the January 6 events.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
This domestic intelligence and security service serves as the primary federal law enforcement agency in the United States.
The details
While three sources entered the Capitol and eleven entered restricted areas, the report noted these individuals were not authorized to break the law. The investigation explicitly contradicted claims that hundreds of FBI assets operated within the protest crowds at the U.S. Capitol.
Timeline
January 6, 2021: The Capitol breach occurred in Washington, D.C.
December 2024: The Inspector General released the report on FBI sources.
Legal Context
The report establishes a definitive federal account regarding intelligence activity during the January 6, 2021, certification of the presidential election. This finding challenges persistent claims about the scale of FBI infiltration during high-profile political events.
The investigation confirms that the FBI maintained intelligence visibility during the events without the presence of embedded undercover employees. Residents and the public can use these findings to understand the official oversight and limitations placed on federal human sources.
The takeaway
This report distinguishes between official intelligence gathering and unverified allegations of agency-wide orchestration. It serves as a benchmark for understanding how federal agencies manage human sources during volatile political demonstrations.
Further reading
Learn more about the federal investigation into the Terrorism events surrounding the Capitol.
Source note: This article includes information reported by [your]NEWS - Freddy Peralta to make Rays' debut vs. Rockies - The Tampa Bay Rays were active right up to Monday night's trade deadline, and their most significant addition is set to debut with his new team on Tuesday. Right-hander Freddy Peralta (5-9, 4.99 ERA), acquired from the New York Mets on Sunday, will be on the mound when Tampa Bay plays the second contest of.
Live Poll
Do you trust the FBI to be transparent about its use of confidential sources?
