FBI Working on Developing Better Sources in Wake of Capitol Breach: Wray

The FBI is examining how to improve its sourcing after failing to detect the potential for large-scale mayhem before the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, the bureau’s director said on Aug. 4.

While the FBI did put out various intelligence documents warning about the prospect of politically-motivated violence before the breach, “it is also the reality that we did not, I think, have any specific credible intelligence that point to thousands of people breaching the capital,” Director Christopher Wray said.

“And so one other things we are determined to do on our part, to make sure we can do our part to make sure that nothing like that ever happens again, is to see how we can go about developing better sources,” he added. “Anytime in the intelligence field where there is any kind of successful attack, we make a point in trying to figure out, are there better ways to develop sources, higher-quality sources, etc., so we’re doing that now.”

The bureau was tipped off about social media posts suggesting the potential for violence in Washington on Jan. 6 by companies like Parler and Facebook, while law enforcement partners also forwarded concerning messages before Congress convened to certify the electoral votes that day.

But the FBI “had no specific concerns” during a Jan. 2 meeting regarding the events scheduled in Washington, according to a Department of Defense Inspector General report, and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) has said he was assured on Jan. 4 that the FBI was on top of the chatter.

The day before the breach, the FBI’s Norfolk, Virginia office shared a bulletin about the potential for violence in connection with the “Stop the Steal” protest, with one thread discussing specific actions such as breaking glass and kicking in doors at the Capitol so members of

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases