DOJ Inspector General Releases Jan. 6 Bombshell: Dozens of FBI 'Confidential Human Sources' Were in Crowd

A report released on Thursday by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz disclosed that the FBI had over two dozen confidential human sources (CHSs) among the protesters at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The 79-page document examined how the FBI managed its confidential sources and conducted intelligence operations in the lead-up to the Capitol breach.

On that day, 26 confidential human sources were present at the scene. Among them, four entered the Capitol building, while another 13 moved into restricted areas surrounding it.

“None of these FBI CHSs were authorized to enter the Capitol or a restricted area, or to otherwise break the law on January 6, nor was any CHS directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6,” the report stated.

“The [Office of Inspector General] determined that many of these 26 CHSs had provided information relevant to the January 6 Electoral Certification before the event and that a few CHSs also provided information about the riot as it occurred.”

The OIG found evidence indicating that one CHS who entered the Capitol was reimbursed for travel expenses related to both the January 6 incident and President Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021.

George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley reacted to the IG’s report posting on social media platform X that it “may raise more questions than answers. It confirms that confidential sources did indeed enter the Capitol and restricted areas.

“The question is whether the presence of these sources were revealed to the defense in the hundreds of prosecutions.”

He further noted, “The IG suggests that they were not engaged in the core criminal conduct prosecuted on that day. Yet, if revealed to the defense, including hundreds who pleaded guilty, defense counsel would not just take the government’s word for what these sources did on that day.”

Turley anticipated that House committees will have additional questions about the role of these FBI sources on Jan. 6.

In Jan. 2022, GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas questioned then FBI Assistant Executive Director Jill Sanborn during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing regarding how many confidential human sources the FBI had on the ground during the Capitol incursion.

“How many FBI agents or confidential informants actively participated in the events of Jan. 6?” Cruz asked.

“Sir, I’m sure you can appreciate that I can’t go into the specifics of sources and methods,” Sanborn answered.

Cruz then asked the broader question, “Did any FBI agents or confidential informants actively participate in the events of Jan. 6? Yes or no.”

“Sir, I can’t answer that,” replied Sanborn.

“Did any FBI agents or confidential informants commit crimes of violence on Jan. 6?” Cruz then queried.

Sanborn would not say.

The senator continued, “Did any FBI agents or FBI informants actively encourage and incite crimes of violence on Jan. 6?”

“Sir, I can’t answer that,” Sanborn said.

Cruz closed his line of questioning saying, “Ms. Sanborn, a lot of Americans are concerned that the federal government deliberately encouraged illegal and violent conduct on Jan. 6.”