Former FBI Director reveals multiple informants in Jan. 6 crowd.
Multiple FBI Informants Were Present at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021
A former official revealed that there were confidential FBI informants among the crowd at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Steven D’Antuono, the former assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington field office, testified before Congress that he learned about these informants after the event. This testimony was made public on Sept. 20.
“My understanding now is there were CHSes onsite. So back then I didn’t know that there were going to be CHSes onsite. I didn’t,” Mr. D’Antuono said in the testimony, which was made public (pdf) on Sept. 20.
The Washington field office did not intentionally send informants into the crowd, but it is possible that at least one informant from the office participated without informing the FBI, according to Mr. D’Antuono.
“People have a citizen’s right to go and protest. We’re not going to stop them from doing that,” he said.
“So if a CHS was there and then we found out afterwards, that doesn’t necessarily mean that there was malicious, nefarious action by the FBI to put that person there, right. They might have just been there and then told us after the fact that they went. That happens all the time. We don’t have that much control over CHSes.”
During the investigation, the presence of informants became a significant focus.
“I think at one point we were like, we need to know how many CHSes were here, because that’s going to be a question,” Mr. D’Antuono said. “I think we asked headquarters to do a poll or put out something to people saying was any CHSes involved. And I think that’s when we started getting responses back. I think also through the course of some investigations we would find out that there was a CHS involved.”
The former FBI official highlighted one informant who testified that he was given permission to break the law if necessary to protect himself from the crowd. This informant traveled from Kansas City, Missouri, to Washington.
“The one in particular I’m remembering was the Kansas City CHS that I believe the case agent knew he was coming because I think he told them,” Mr. D’Antuono said. This person maintained contact with their FBI handler while being present in the crowd.
A poll conducted among other field offices revealed the presence of multiple informants in the crowd.
“I think it was a handful, but I’m not honestly sure,” Mr. D’Antuono said. He later added, “my recollection is maybe a handful of people, but I can’t say for sure.”
He also mentioned that the number includes informants who did not inform their handlers about their attendance, as well as those who did notify their handlers.
According to Mr. D’Antuono, field offices are supposed to inform each other when a source enters their territory, but this does not always happen.
“Even in Baltimore, which is right next door, coming into WFO, technically, they’re supposed to tell us when they’re coming into WFO’s territory. Realistically, does it always happen? No. And that’s what causes some consternation, like, why are you doing an operation in our city?” he said. “And the reason for that is because if there’s a shooting or something happens, you need to know, right. If all of a sudden FBI agents get into a shooting and I’m getting called by the deputy director saying your people are—my people aren’t deployed. What the hell’s going on? Then that’s a bad day. That’s a problem, right. So that’s normally what happens.”
The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General found that the FBI, which spends around $42 million annually on its CHS program, repeatedly failed to follow guidelines in handling informants (pdf).
Mr. D’Antuono provided his testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.
Attorneys for Jan. 6 defendants have claimed that there were over 50 confidential sources, including FBI informants, present on Jan. 6. Some defendants have attempted to identify suspected informants. According to Steven Sund, the former U.S. Capitol Police chief, there were informants and undercover agents in the crowd. Mr. D’Antuono stated that, to his knowledge, the FBI did not have any agents present.
New Letter
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House committee, expressed concerns about the FBI’s handling of confidential sources based on Mr. D’Antuono’s testimony.
“This new information is extremely concerning. It suggests that the FBI cannot adequately track the activities and operations of its informants, and that it lost control of its CHSs present at the Capitol on January 6,” Mr. Jordan said.
He has requested a briefing from the FBI on how confidential sources were utilized on Jan. 6 and whether specific guidelines were provided. Mr. Jordan also demanded all documents related to reporting from these sources.
What are the implications of having informants present at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during the events that unfolded that day?
T appears that some informants were present at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, during the events that unfolded that day. This revelation came to light through the testimony of Steven D’Antuono, the former assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington field office, who spoke before Congress about the matter.
D’Antuono stated that he learned about the presence of confidential FBI informants at the Capitol after the event had taken place. He further clarified that he was not aware beforehand that there were informants present among the crowd on that fateful day.
The testimony of D’Antuono was made public on September 20 and can be accessed through the provided link. According to his statement, there were Confidential Human Sources (CHSes) on-site during the events at the Capitol. It is important to note that the Washington field office did not intentionally send these informants into the crowd, suggesting that their presence was not part of a specific investigative operation.
The implications of having informants at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 are significant. This event, which involved a violent breach of the Capitol building by a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump, has been widely condemned as an attack on American democracy. The presence of informants raises questions about the extent of the FBI’s knowledge and involvement in the events leading up to and during that day.
Some have speculated that the presence of informants may have been intended to gather intelligence on potential threats or acts of violence. Others question whether the informants played a role in instigating or fueling the unrest that occurred. However, it is important to note that D’Antuono’s testimony suggests that the informants’ presence was not planned or orchestrated by the FBI.
The revelation of multiple informants at the Capitol on January 6 adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation into the events of that day. It highlights the need for transparency and a comprehensive examination of the FBI’s actions leading up to and during the Capitol breach.
As the investigation continues, it is crucial to uncover the full details surrounding the informants’ presence and their actions. The public deserves a thorough understanding of the FBI’s role in this deeply troubling incident and the extent to which it may have been aware of the potential for violence.
Ultimately, the revelation of multiple informants at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 raises important questions about the FBI’s handling of the situation and its ability to prevent or mitigate the violence that occurred that day. It underscores the need for a comprehensive and impartial investigation to shed light on the events and hold those responsible accountable.
The American people deserve clarity and transparency as the nation grapples with the aftermath of January 6, 2021. The presence of FBI informants at the Capitol further underscores the urgency and importance of uncovering the truth behind this dark chapter in American history.
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