FBI agents or informants were not involved in the January 6 riot

In the United States, a report from the Department of Justice's inspector general, Michael Horowitz, concluded that no undercover FBI agents or informants participated in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. This finding directly counters numerous conspiracy theories that have circulated primarily among Republican circles, suggesting that federal agents instigated or facilitated the violence. The report addressed claims made by some Republican figures, who argued that the presence of undercover agents was a significant factor in the violent assaults on law enforcement that occurred during the riot. While the FBI had more than two dozen confidential human sources in Washington on that day, none were authorized to engage in illegal activities or incite violence. Only a few of these sources entered restricted areas, but their entry was not linked to any undercover operations that would imply active encouragement of the riotous behavior. The emphasis on misinformation surrounding January 6 has fueled ongoing debates regarding accountability and the actions of government entities in monitoring potential threats. As the country continues to navigate the implications of the riot, the DOJ's report serves as an essential point of reference to dispel lingering misconceptions about the involvement of federal agents in the events of that day. The findings, while arriving late in the political landscape affected by the events, provide clarity on the NRA and the alleged conspiracy claims which have become a focal point of political narratives in recent years.