FBI HQ conducted poll to determine Capitol informants on Jan. 6, says official.
FBI Headquarters Conducted Poll to Determine Number of Informants at Capitol on Jan. 6, Former Official Reveals
The FBI headquarters recently conducted a poll to ascertain the presence of its paid informants during the events at the Capitol on January 6, according to a former FBI assistant director.
During his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee, Steven D’Antuono, the assistant director-in-charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, disclosed that he became aware of paid informants or confidential human sources (CHS) from other field offices only after the headquarters conducted the poll.
D’Antuono further explained that while some field offices were aware that their informants would be present on January 6, others arrived “on their own accord.”
According to the transcript, he stated, “I don’t remember at what point, but 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. So 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.”
Interestingly, one informant from the Kansas City Field Office was in communication with his FBI handler ”while in the crowd,” D’Antuono confirmed.
While it is possible that the Washington field office had prior knowledge of some informants, D’Antuono claimed that he was not informed.
Concerns Raised Over FBI’s Handling of Informants
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan expressed deep concern over the revelations shared by D’Antuono in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray.
In the letter, Jordan wrote, “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. These revelations reinforce existing concerns, identified by Special Counsel [John] Durham, about the FBI’s use of, and payment to, CHSs who have fabricated evidence and misrepresented information.”
Jordan has requested further briefings on how the FBI utilized informants during the events of January 6.
Meanwhile, a defense attorney for Proud Boys member Dominic Pezzola claimed in court documents that there were at least 40 undercover informants conducting surveillance on that day.
Despite these claims, FBI Director Wray has consistently refused to confirm or deny the presence of informants in the crowd.
The FBI has not yet responded to requests for comment.
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The post FBI HQ Conducted Internal Poll to Find Out How Many Informants Were at Capitol on Jan. 6, Official Says appeared first on The Western Journal.
Why were the field offices not informed about the presence of informants at the Capitol?
Er, Chairman Jordan requested answers to several key questions, including:
- Why were the field offices not informed about the presence of informants at the Capitol?
- Who approved the use of informants on January 6?
- Did any informants or CHSes engage in or incite violence?
Chairman Jordan emphasized that it is crucial for the American people to have trust and confidence in the FBI and expressed concern that the handling of informants in relation to the events at the Capitol could undermine that trust.
Furthermore, he raised the issue of potential entrapment, stating that if informants played a role in planning or inciting the events at the Capitol, it would raise serious questions about the FBI’s operations and tactics.
Impact on Ongoing Investigations
The revelations about the FBI’s use of informants at the Capitol also have implications for ongoing investigations and prosecutions related to the events of January 6.
Chairman Jordan highlighted the fact that if informants or CHSes were actively involved in organizing or inciting violence, it could potentially compromise the credibility of evidence collected by the FBI as well as the cases brought forward by the Department of Justice.
It is essential that any evidence collected or actions taken by informants are thoroughly examined to ensure the integrity of the investigations and prosecutions.
Transparency and Accountability
The revelations surrounding the FBI’s use of informants raise serious questions about the transparency and accountability of the agency.
Chairman Jordan stressed the importance of the FBI being forthright and transparent about its activities, especially regarding its use of informants and their involvement in sensitive events such as the events at the Capitol on January 6.
He called on FBI Director Christopher Wray to provide a detailed account of the agency’s knowledge, approval, and utilization of informants, as well as any protocols or guidelines in place to ensure their proper supervision and accountability.
Conclusion
The recent disclosure of the FBI’s poll to determine the number of informants at the Capitol on January 6 has raised concerns about the agency’s handling of informants, transparency, and accountability.
Chairman Jordan’s letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray highlights the need for answers regarding the presence and involvement of informants on that day, as well as the potential impact on ongoing investigations and prosecutions.
As the investigation into the events of January 6 continues, it is vital for the FBI to address these concerns and provide clear and accurate information to restore public trust in the agency and uphold the principles of justice and accountability.
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