FBI’s use of Sedition Hunters as paid J6 informants raises questions about Wray's 'reform' promises

 Recent reports indicate that the FBI has employed members of a group called "Sedition Hunters" as paid informants to assist in investigations related to the January 6 Capitol riot. This has brought into question the bureau's adherence to its own rules regarding confidential human sources and concerns over bias.

1. Payment to Sedition Hunters:

• The FBI has reportedly made over $100,000 in payments to Sedition Hunters, a group of tech sleuths assisting in the analysis of video evidence concerning the Capitol riot.

• This decision has drawn parallels to the controversial use of informant Christopher Steele during the 2016 election, who was criticized for his anti-Trump bias and foreign connections.

2. Concerns About Policy Violations:

• Critics, including FBI Director Kash Patel, argue that the payments to Sedition Hunters may violate FBI policies on informant bias and secrecy.

• The use of openly anti-Trump individuals has stirred fears of partisanship within the Bureau, similar to concerns raised during the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.

3. Historical Context of Informant Use:

• Historical precedence indicates the FBI's reliance on informants has often been fraught with issues, such as bias and lack of proper vetting.

• Previous investigations into the FBI’s actions, including the Crossfire Hurricane probe, have identified major flaws and criticized the agency's oversight mechanisms.

4. Steele Dossier Controversy:

• The Steele dossier, a collection of unverified claims regarding Trump’s ties to Russia, was used to obtain FISA warrants based on politically biased information.

• Horowitz's report highlighted severe inaccuracies in the dossier and the FBI's failure to disclose Steele's biases while seeking warrants.

5. Calls for Accountability:

• Republican lawmakers are pushing for more transparency regarding the FBI's use of informants, particularly during politically charged investigations.

• Patel argues that the FBI's approach to handling informants must change to prevent political bias and restore public trust.

6. Potential Impact of Findings:

• The revelations about the FBI's practices may lead to renewed scrutiny of its confidential human source program.

• There are concerns about ensuring that future investigations remain free of political motivations and are conducted in accordance with the Constitution.

The FBI's payments to Sedition Hunters as paid informants raise serious questions about the agency's reform efforts and adherence to its policies. Past controversies relating to informant use, such as the Steele dossier scandal, continue to undermine trust in the FBI. Calls for greater transparency and accountability emphasize the need for the Bureau to operate without political bias and to assure the American people of its commitment to justice and fairness. 

https://justthenews.com/government/federal-agencies/steele-20-fbis-use-sedition-hunters-paid-j6-informants-raises-questions