Recently, some conservative sources have been claiming that the FBI had a role in instigating or planning the January 6 riot at the Capitol. This theory, first reported by Revolver News, received a major push when Tucker Carlson also reported on it on Fox News. This idea was supposedly supported by the fact that there were numerous ‘unindicted co-conspirators’ mentioned in the government charging documents against several suspects.
This was taken to mean they were FBI informants, agents, operatives, or assets, and that the FBI somehow helped plan or instigate the riot. This argument always seemed tenuous to me, at best.
While the possibility clearly exists that FBI informants were involved in the riot, the ‘unindicted co-conspirator’ angle doesn’t appear to hold water.
Still, this does not mean FBI informants or operatives weren’t infiltrated into groups involved in the riot, or the FBI did not have foreknowledge of any planning for the riot. As a matter of fact, they are very likely, and those possibilities need to be fully investigated.
The FBI-instigated-the-riot narrative started with a June 14 report by Revolver News that said there’s a “strong possibility” the federal government had “undercover agents or confidential informants embedded within the so-called militia groups” that were seeking to obstruct the Senate certification of the 2020 election results. Tucker Carlson, Republican lawmakers, and social media users then amplified that claim, adding that this meant FBI assets were involved in organizing or instigating the riot.
USA TODAY noted that this produced a firestorm of outrage and questions because critics argued that since upward of 20 unindicted co-conspirators listed in federal charging documents haven’t been charged, there is a “disturbing possibility” that they could be undercover FBI agents or federal informants.
Facebook users have shared an open letter from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in which he demands FBI Director Christopher Wray “fully disclose the role and involvement of FBI operatives during the January 6th Capitol riot.” Other users shared a clip of Carlson’s June 15 show, during which he said “FBI operatives were organizing the attack on the Capitol on January 6.”
But, notes the USA Today report, “that theory relies on a false assumption: that anyone identified as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in charging documents is a government agent.”
In fact, legal experts say that term cannot be used to describe FBI agents or undercover government operatives. Charging documents and other evidence indicate that the Jan. 6 rioters included Trump supporters, conspiracy theorists and members of far-right groups.
The term “unindicted co-conspirators” refers to people who allegedly took part in the same offense in some fashion but are not being criminally charged for their role, Ira Robbins, an American University law professor, wrote in a 2004 paper that represents the legal consensus on the term.
This can include someone who cooperated with law enforcement to receive a deal or who authorities don’t feel they have sufficient evidence to charge.
“Prosecutors would not name FBI agents as unindicted co-conspirators,” Robbins told USA TODAY via email. “Tucker Carlson’s allegation that the FBI organized the attack on the Capitol is pure fantasy.”
According to USA Today, Robbins said that while it is possible FBI agents were acting undercover in extremist organizations involved in the Capitol riot, that “would not necessarily mean they had instigated the insurrection.”
This last point made by Robbins, however, leaves open a significant line of questioning for federal agencies. Were FBI agents or informants, or those of other federal agencies, acting undercover in extremist organizations involved in the Capitol riot? And did the FBI, or other agencies, have any foreknowledge of plans for the riot?
This should be one important issue to be investigated by Nancy Pelosi’s new select committee on the January 6 riot.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AmericanActionNews.com
LISTEN UP….THERE Were a WHOLE MIX of PEOPLE at the CAPITOL BUILDING on JAN 6. Grandma and GrandPa…DISABLED PEOPLE..Those Who Spoke NO ENGLISH…HOMELESS People etc etc ARE YOU Going to ARREST THEM ALL???? THEY Had NO GUNS. From SamuraiQueen. 😄😄😄
Those not indicted could also possibly be members of the sanctioned ATIFA and BLM.
No doubt about it. The deep state is larger and deeper than anyone could imagine
Trump requested troops to protect the Capitol, Queen Nancy refused. Do you really believe anything will come of her investigation?
nothing will, to many TRAITORS on her side, she hated THE REAL POTUS No.45 D.J.TRUMP , she blocked every thing he tried to do for the US, and like the wall, she is hip deep with the CCP, she is on the take from every government and country, she is not in this for the US CITIZENS, she in her rapidly declining mental state , SELLING OUT THE US for her own gains. FIRE pelosi. Fore pelosi to resign, impeach pelosi.
Fortunately she was removed after the 6th January. An actress or clone is playing her part
I don’t think it’s a far fetched idea that the FBI were involved….they are corrupt to the core…and we know nothing is below Piglosi and her band of merry men….I just keep hoping someone with a conscious will step up and blow the whole thing wide open….but then I’ve been hoping that for a lot of things they’ve been pulling….and then finding that Bill Bar is just another swamp creature….my thread of hope is getting thin….are there no good guys?
It definitely bears further investigation. If even one FBI related person were involved the citizens of the US deserve answers.
But don’t expect the Pelosi partisan ‘committee’ to ask any questions in that vein. Nor to hear any clarification from the corrupt Wray.
i dont trust the fraudulent bureau investigations . i believe they are behind alot of these mass shootings an terrorist attacks to use against us , to drive the anti gun movement an white supremist nonsense
Place Wray under arrest until he “sings” and explains the entire mess, OR, just let him rot in a cell until he does.
PS-Better still, charge him with TREASON and place him in front of a military tribunal – -MAKE THE CHARGES STICK!
I wish….
The FBI has been involved with a lot of shady deals. Russiagate, Michigan Gov. planned abduction and many many other bizarre dealings, so this is not much of a stretch.
Behind every mass shooting in the United States, the FBI knew about it beforehand and did nothing. FBI, CIA, WHO, CDC, Un, EU, DOJ, all corrupt
“This should be one important issue to be investigated by Nancy Pelosi’s new select committee on the January 6 riot.”
Are you kidding????? There is a better chance of green men from Mars landing on the Capitol steps and asking to be taken to our leader.
FBI used informants for Cap Hill on 1-6
I’ll bet any organization that is considered “radical” is infested with FBI agents and/or informants.
Paul Crespo! You KNOW the FBI was behind the so called Jan. 6 riot! Otherwise we’d already know the name of the officer who shot Ashley Babbit and much more! This was perpetrated by the Dems and the corrupt FBI.
first and for most, IT WAN”T A RIOT.Let me explain riot just look at the BLM?ANTIFA peaceful protests for examples. These idiot dem lawyers said that the FBI would nopt be unindicted co-conspitors is, well, bull s..t. Lets look at your source and some statements that are so totally false, yet you by it.
“But, notes the USA Today report, “that theory relies on a false assumption: that anyone identified as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in charging documents is a government agent.””
your using USA Today as a reptubal source, really, wow. No the bad assumption here is
that anyone identified as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in charging documents is a government agent.””
I guess I need to explain English to you. This says anyone is a….anyone seems to include all of unindicted co-conspirator. Nobody said that at all. If there were just a few unindicated co-consiperators that were FBI agengents, well then that coulkd be a problem. Would the FBI do anything so wrong. Oh I think they would. I used to support the FBI but since the FBI has become and intimidation arm for the left/libs/progressives/dems I don’t trust them as far as I can trow them. But hey you keep the blinders on and keep up the lying on this being a riot. I find you and it amusing