The US intelligence community is investigating if the FBI was involved in planning the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. The statement came from Joseph Kent, chief of staff to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Kent commented on his nomination to lead the US National Counterterrorism Center on Wednesday during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.
“We’re looking into it right now,” Kent told the panel. He did not say which of the 18 intelligence agencies is conducting the investigation.
Gabbard oversees the FBI’s intelligence functions. Her office referred questions to a statement she made Tuesday. In it, she said a new task force is working to rebuild trust in US intelligence. The team is focusing on “weaponization,” “politicization,” and declassifying key information.
A US Justice Department watchdog report released in December rejected claims that FBI agents were involved in the Capitol riot. The report confirmed that 26 FBI informants were in Washington that day. But none were allowed to enter the Capitol or take part in violence.
Kent’s remarks came after questioning from Democratic Senator Mark Kelly. Kelly asked about Kent’s past statements suggesting FBI and US spy agencies had a role in the riot.
Kelly referred to a post-Kent made on social media platform X. In the post, Kent claimed FBI informants were “directing” actions and “removing barriers” during the riot.
“We’ve already identified multiple confidential human sources run by the FBI and other agencies,” Kelly said. “That has been investigated widely. We continue to look into that intelligence.”
Kent replied that it was “probably” the FBI’s Washington Field Office that was involved. He added that the matter is under review by the intelligence community.
Kent has called the January 6 attack an “intelligence operation.” He has referred to those charged in the assault as “political prisoners.” He also questioned the validity of President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win. President Donald Trump, who claimed the election was stolen, pardoned over 1,500 people in connection with the Capitol riot earlier this year.
Kent is a former Green Beret and CIA officer. He is a known supporter of Trump. Gabbard backed his failed 2022 run for Congress in Washington state.
Senators also asked Kent about his role in a Signal group chat. In the chat, Trump national security officials discussed March 15 airstrikes on Houthi militants in Yemen.
Kent said the material in the chat was unclassified. But he declined to answer further questions, citing ongoing litigation.
The Pentagon’s Inspector General is also investigating Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal to plan the strikes.
The Senate panel is expected to continue reviewing Kent’s nomination in the coming weeks.
