FBI Director Kash Patel has confirmed that a definitive response regarding the presence of FBI "sources" during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots is forthcoming. Speaking in an exclusive interview on Fox News, Patel indicated the forthcoming revelations could "surprise and shock people" by contradicting previous statements from former FBI leadership.
Addressing public speculation, Patel clarified the distinction between FBI agents and confidential human sources (CHSs) on the ground during the Capitol attack. He emphasized that the Bureau has collaborated with the Department of Justice (DoJ) to verify this information and is preparing to disclose it in full.
"People have questioned whether there were FBI sources present—not agents, but sources—at the Capitol on January 6. I committed to providing a definitive answer, and that answer is on its way," Patel stated. He stressed the necessity for transparency and accountability, particularly highlighting the importance of FBI leadership being forthright with Congressional inquiries.
This revelation comes in the context of the DoJ Inspector General’s report released last year, which examined the FBI’s handling of confidential sources and intelligence during the events leading to the Capitol breach. The report detailed that 26 confidential human sources were present among the crowd, with only three explicitly assigned by the FBI to attend the event. It further clarified that none of these sources were authorized to commit or encourage illegal activities.
Of note, the report stated that one of the three FBI-assigned sources entered the Capitol building, while the other two remained in the restricted perimeter. These sources receive compensation for their duties, as is standard bureau protocol.
Patel criticized former FBI Director Christopher Wray’s previous responses to Congressional questions, advocating for a culture shift within the Bureau where leadership is fully informed and transparent under oath. "When Congress asks if there were sources present on January 6, the FBI director must know the answer and respond candidly, without deflection," Patel asserted.
The January 6 Capitol attack followed former President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the November 2020 election results, leading to violent unrest as officials attempted to certify President Joe Biden’s electoral victory. The FBI’s role and intelligence operations during this period remain subject to scrutiny and political debate.
As investigations and disclosures continue, the public awaits detailed information from the FBI on its covert activities on that critical day, which may significantly impact understanding of the events and responses during the Capitol riot.
