FBI Concerned Jan. 6 Footage Would Expose Undercover Agents, Informants: Whistleblower
In recent revelations, it has come to light that FBI officials expressed concerns regarding the release of footage from inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. According to a whistleblower, the worry was that the footage might expose undercover agents and confidential informants who were operating within the crowd that day. This information was disclosed during a testimony on May 18, shedding light on the inner workings of the FBI.
George Hill, a retired supervisory intelligence analyst from the FBI's Boston field office, recounted the pressure exerted by the bureau's Washington field office (WFO) on Boston officials to open investigations on 138 individuals who had attended a rally on January 6. Interestingly, there were no indications at the time that these individuals had violated any laws. In response, Boston officials rightfully requested evidence, such as footage of individuals inside the Capitol, before initiating investigations.
Boston officials expressed their willingness to investigate further if provided with the necessary evidence. However, the WFO officials replied that they could only share the videos if they were provided with precise details about the time and location of each individual inside the Capitol. This exchange, as detailed by Hill, raises questions about the availability and accessibility of the approximately 11,000 hours of footage from inside the Capitol.
The explanation given by the Washington-based officials for their reluctance to share the footage was that there could potentially be undercover officers or confidential human sources (CHS) featured in the videos. Protecting the identities of these individuals was of utmost importance to ensure their safety and the integrity of ongoing investigations. This response from the WFO officials emphasized the need to safeguard the identities of law enforcement personnel who were operating covertly.
Hill's testimony, which took place before the U.S. House's Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, provided critical insights into these internal discussions within the FBI. The testimony, played during a hearing on May 18, was also detailed in a report released by the subcommittee. The FBI's national headquarters and the WFO have refrained from providing any official comments on these allegations.
Another FBI employee, Marcus Allen, has also emerged as a whistleblower, claiming that he faced retaliation for sharing an email among fellow FBI workers.
The email questioned the truthfulness of FBI Director Christopher Wray's testimony before Congress. During the hearing, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) addressed Allen, inquiring whether Wray had indeed stated that there were no confidential informants or FBI assets present during the violent riot on January 6. Allen confirmed that this was the case, indicating a potential discrepancy between Wray's public statements and undisclosed information provided behind closed doors.
Gaetz pointed out the apparent contradiction between Allen's situation and the actions of the Washington field office. It seemed that Allen faced retaliation for expressing the same concerns that the office had conveyed to Boston. This raises questions about the consistency and transparency of the FBI's communication with its employees and the public. Furthermore, during a public hearing in late 2022, Wray declined to confirm or deny whether the bureau had confidential sources embedded among the protesters on January 6, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding the FBI's involvement and transparency in this matter.
