**FBI Not Behind Capitol Riot, Report Shows**
Social media users are spreading false information about a report from the Justice Department inspector general‘s office. They claim that the report shows the FBI was behind the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
The report looked at several areas, including whether the FBI made mistakes before the riot and if they encouraged violence. Some online claims focus on the report’s finding of 26 FBI informants in Washington on January 6. These informants were monitoring election-related protests and some were tasked with reporting on others who might be planning to attend.
**The Truth**
While 17 of these informants entered the Capitol or a restricted area, none were authorized by the FBI to do so. The report also found that no undercover FBI employees were at the riot on January 6.
Many online users took key information out of context and made false conclusions. They pointed to the fact that there were 26 FBI informants in Washington on January 6 but didn’t mention the important details about the report’s findings.
**FBI Response**
The FBI has said it accepts the inspector general’s recommendation for potential process improvements for future events. The Justice Department’s inspector general said the FBI failed to canvass informants across all its field offices before the riot, which could have helped with preparations.
**Don‘t Spread False Information**
Social media users should be careful not to spread false information. In this case, online claims that the report shows the FBI was behind the Capitol riot are simply not true. The report actually found that no undercover FBI employees were at the riot and none of the informants were authorized to break the law.