No undercover FBI agents during Jan. 6 Capitol riots, says report

WASHINGTON

A review by the US Department of Justice has found that there were no undercover FBI agents during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots in 2021.

The report, released Thursday by Inspector General Michael Horowitz, examined the FBI's handling of its confidential human sources and intelligence collection efforts leading up to the events on Jan. 6.

The report said the agency took appropriate steps in advance of Jan. 6 to prepare for its supporting role against the potential violence on that day.

It also said confusion and a lack of coordination contributed to the FBI’s "inaccurate report" to Congress that it had canvassed field offices.

FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate called the lack of a canvass prior to Jan. 6 a “basic step that was missed.”

"We found no evidence in the materials we reviewed or the testimony we received showing or suggesting that the FBI had undercover employees in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6," said the report.

On Jan. 6, 2021, far-right groups and supporters of then President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol as lawmakers gathered to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. The attack drew widespread condemnation.