FBI Deployed 274 Agents Plainclothes Capitol January 6 Riot

Newly released documents and reports reveal that the FBI deployed approximately 274 plainclothes agents to the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, riot, many arriving after the violence had begun. These agents, primarily from the Washington Field Office, operated without proper safety equipment or clear identification, leading to frustrations and complaints within the bureau about being used as political pawns in what some agents describe as a politicized and biased operation. Anonymous FBI personnel criticized the agency's uneven treatment of protesters, contrasting the aggressive prosecutions after January 6 with the more lenient approach toward the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The disclosures have reignited debates about the FBI's role and transparency regarding the events of January 6, especially given previous denials about undercover personnel's presence. Critics argue that these revelations expose a deeper politicization within the FBI, raising questions about the integrity of subsequent prosecutions and the agency's influence on public trust. This information was brought to light by FBI Director Kash Patel and has been shared with Congress and the public through various media outlets.