Prosecutors break rules to seize reporters' phone records

In the United States, a report from the Justice Department inspector general's office revealed significant intelligence failures regarding the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. The FBI had prepared for the possibility of violence but fell short in thoroughly collecting and analyzing relevant intelligence from its 56 field offices. Though it had informants present on the day of the riot, none were authorized to breach the law or the Capitol building. This revelation dispelled conspiracy theories alleging that the FBI played a role in instigating the violence. The report noted that several Capitol Police leaders were unaware of an early warning bulletin from the FBI, challenging the effectiveness of inter-agency communication and coordination during this critical event. As the investigation continues, scrutiny remains on how federal law enforcement agencies manage intelligence operations, particularly those involving public protests and national security. The findings underscore the need for improvements in intelligence gathering and dissemination to avoid similar failures in future incidents involving public safety and law enforcement. The report’s conclusions also highlight ongoing concerns over accountability and transparency within federal agencies, especially in relation to their interactions with informants and the public's right to know about government actions that impact democracy.