Pardon Tracker: U.S. Intelligence Agencies Investigating Capitol Riot

U.S. intelligence agencies are reportedly 'investigating whether the FBI was involved in planning the January 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.'

Apr 14, 2025

Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the walls of the Capitol building during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. (*Image: Getty Images*)

U.S. intelligence agencies are reportedly “investigating whether the FBI was involved in planning the January 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump,” despite the fact that a U.S. Justice Department watchdog report “debunked claims by far-right conspiracy theorists who falsely alleged that FBI operatives were secretly involved.”

Joseph Kent, chief of staff to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, said that intelligence agencies are “looking into it right now," however, Kent did not “elaborate on which of the 18 intelligence agencies is conducting the probe.”

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly may “refund money to some Jan. 6 rioters who were charged to cover the estimated $3 million in damages they caused to the Capitol Building,” according to court documents filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Dreher.

QAnon adherents have reportedly “found a new and unlikely enemy in the freed Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendants,” and claim that Enrique Tarrio and Joe Biggs “were part of a clandestine effort to frame Trump supporters as violent, and for whom Patel is a trusted figure whose motives are not to be questioned.”

Ryan Taylor Nichols, who was pardoned for participating in the Capitol Riot, has “announced he will no longer be running for Congress.” Nichols said in a statement on social media that “my heart is in the right place, but I do not have the ability to properly lead this country.”