A source has revealed that the FBI acknowledged having 275 plainclothes agents in the crowds at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, more than four and a half years after initial questions arose about their involvement. This admission contradicts earlier statements from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Inspector General, which claimed in December 2024 that the FBI had no “undercover employees” present at the Capitol on that day.
The revelation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the FBI’s role during the events. A senior congressional source noted the number was not surprising, citing the bureau’s standard practice of embedding countersurveillance personnel at large gatherings. However, the FBI’s previous refusal to disclose its presence has fueled skepticism.
The DOJ OIG report highlighted that 26 FBI confidential human sources were in the January 6 crowds, with four entering the Capitol. It stated none were authorized to break laws or enter restricted areas, and no agents encouraged illegal acts. The report also clarified that only three informants were assigned to monitor “domestic terrorism subjects” at the event.
The disclosure has reignited calls for transparency, with critics questioning the true purpose of the plainclothes agents. Questions remain about whether they were merely observing or actively influencing the situation. A source emphasized the need for a full investigation into the events of that day.
