Rep. Barry Loudermilk has raised concerns that the FBI may have withheld important intelligence before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which could have changed security preparations. He recently reviewed reports from confidential informants warning of potential armed conflict and the presence of groups like Antifa among protesters.
• Warnings Received: The FBI received alerts from around two dozen confidential informants weeks prior to the riot, indicating a significant chance of violence at the Capitol. Loudermilk noted that these warnings should have led to increased security measures, potentially altering the course of events.
• Review of Intelligence: Loudermilk expressed surprise at the level of detail in the intelligence reports, which included multiple sources confirming plans for violent actions against the Capitol during the certification of the 2020 election results. He stated that it was likely the FBI was aware of the intent to attack.
• Questions of Communication: Loudermilk is investigating whether the intelligence was shared adequately with Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies. He emphasized the need for answers to questions about what the FBI knew and how they acted on that information.
• Presence of Informants: It was previously reported that the FBI had around 26 informants within the crowd on January 6, and Loudermilk revealed for the first time that Antifa was mentioned in the intelligence warns about potential violence. He noted concerns that Antifa and other groups may have been planning to join the crowd with the intent to incite violence.
• Capitol Police Preparedness: The reports indicated that Capitol Police did not receive warning of the scale of potential violence expected on January 6, leading to a smaller security presence than necessary. Loudermilk criticized the decision to not deploy the National Guard in response to these intelligence warnings.
• Credibility of Informants: Loudermilk stated that the informants effectively reported on the situation, both before and during the riot, suggesting their intentions were to warn about potential threats rather than create chaos.
The revelations from Rep. Loudermilk highlight significant concerns regarding the handling of intelligence by the FBI prior to the January 6 Capitol riot. As the investigation continues, key questions remain about the dissemination of intelligence and the adequacy of security measures for such a pivotal event in U. S. history.
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