WASHINGTON — A Justice Department report has revealed that more than two dozen FBI informants were present in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, ahead of the Capitol riot, though none were authorized to participate in the breach of the Capitol building.

The report, issued by the department’s Office of the Inspector General, stated that 26 confidential human sources—FBI informants paid to provide intelligence—were in the city on the day of the riot. Four of them entered the Capitol during the breach, while 13 others crossed into the restricted security area surrounding the building.

However, the investigation confirmed that none of the informants acted under FBI orders to enter the Capitol or join the mob.

The report also found shortcomings in the FBI’s preparations for January 6, noting that the agency failed to adequately use its field offices nationwide to gather intelligence that might have foreseen the events of that day. Despite intelligence reports warning of potential violence, this “basic step” was overlooked, the Inspector General stated.

Some of the informants were in contact with or traveling alongside members of far-right groups, including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. However, the report noted that none of the informants who entered the Capitol or the restricted area were among those charged with trespassing or other crimes related to the riot.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.