The Department of Justice’s Inspector General, Michael Horowitz, has raised eyebrows after he did not deny the possibility that FBI informants were present among the crowd during the January 6 Capitol riot. During a recent hearing, Horowitz was pressed on the matter but declined to confirm or deny whether FBI sources had been embedded within the group that stormed the Capitol.
The exchange took place as lawmakers continue to scrutinize the federal government’s handling of the events surrounding January 6, with some Republicans questioning the extent of the FBI’s involvement in monitoring or potentially influencing the actions of the crowd. When asked directly whether FBI informants were present, Horowitz responded cautiously, stating that his office was still reviewing aspects of the event and the FBI’s role in the investigation.
Horowitz’s comments have fueled speculation about the presence of undercover agents or informants during the attack on the Capitol, with some lawmakers calling for greater transparency from the FBI and the DOJ. The possibility of FBI informants being part of the crowd has become a focal point for critics who argue that the federal government has not been fully forthcoming about its activities on that day.
While the DOJ Inspector General did not provide a definitive answer, his reluctance to outright dismiss the idea has further intensified calls for more information regarding the FBI’s methods and operations in relation to January 6. The question of informants adds a new layer to the ongoing investigations into the Capitol riot and how federal agencies responded to the unfolding crisis.
As Horowitz’s office continues its review, the issue of FBI involvement remains a subject of debate, with both sides seeking clarity on the role that federal informants may have played in the chaotic events of January 6. The hearing underscores the ongoing tension between efforts to ensure accountability and the need for transparency in one of the most consequential investigations in recent U.S. history.