FBI Discloses 274 Plainclothes Agents Were Present in Jan. 6 Crowds

The FBI has revealed to Congress that 274 plainclothes agents were embedded in the crowds at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Blaze Media reported.

Although a congressional source noted the number was not entirely surprising, as the FBI often deploys counter-surveillance personnel at large events, the disclosure comes after years of the bureau resisting transparency on its presence that day. Except for intense questioning under oath before Congress, the FBI denied any agents or informants in the crowd. Until they were forced to admit that not only did they have undercover informants and assets in the crowd, but many were also already inside the Capital building before any breach was made.

The announcement appears to contrast with a December 2024 Department of Justice Inspector General report, which stated the FBI had “no undercover employees” in the protest crowds. That same report did confirm the presence of 26 confidential human sources (informants), four of whom entered the Capitol, though the FBI insisted none were directed to commit crimes or encourage others.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), chairman of the House Jan. 6 Select Subcommittee, has pressed for further clarification:

“With that many paid informants being in the crowd, we want to know how many were in the building, but I also want to know, were they paid to inform or instigate?” (Blaze Media, citing Just the News).

Questions persist about the FBI’s role, particularly given reports of undercover Metropolitan Police Department officers who admitted to encouraging protesters and assisting them in climbing barriers.

The FBI also had tactical teams on site that helped clear the Capitol later in the day. Still, the disclosure of the bureau’s large presence is unlikely to resolve ongoing debate about whether federal agents influenced events on January 6.

Source: Joseph M. Hanneman & Steve Baker, Blaze Media, Sept. 25, 2025