Trump Claims FBI Planted 274 Agents at Capitol Riot, Citing Unverified Reports
Former president accuses ex-FBI Director Wray of deception and demands disclosure on alleged agents' actions
President Donald Trump has asserted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation secretly placed 274 agents in plain clothes among the crowd during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach, accusing them of acting as “agitators and insurrectionists” and calling for a full accounting of their identities and roles.
The claim was made in a social media post that criticized former FBI Director Christopher Wray for “lying” about the agency’s involvement.
Trump’s post states, “I want to know who each and every one of these so-called ‘Agents’ are, and what they were up to on that now ‘Historic’ Day,” and further alleges that many American patriots were forced to “pay a very big price” because of federal misconduct.
He also linked this accusation to earlier criticism of FBI leadership, including former Director James Comey.
The allegation surfaced after conservative news outlets reported that 274 plainclothes FBI agents were embedded in the crowd that day.
These reports suggest that the agents were present both prior to and during the riot, though they offer no credible documentation of such deployment.
However, a 2024 Justice Department Inspector General’s investigation found no evidence that FBI undercover employees were embedded in the protest crowds on January 6.
The report confirmed that there were 26 confidential human sources present—but none were directed to break the law or incite violence, nor were they full-time FBI agents operating undercover.
The IG’s findings have served as a consistent counterpoint to conspiracy theories alleging institutional orchestration of the riot.
The FBI has publicly stated that many agents were dispatched during and after the breach to help restore order, assist law enforcement, and investigate threats, but has repeatedly denied a role in inciting or facilitating the event.
In responding to Trump’s renewed accusations, FBI and DOJ spokespeople have declined immediate comment.
Meanwhile, supporters of the president and aligned media outlets are pushing for hearings and internal memos to reveal whether any undisclosed agency actions took place.
As legal, congressional, and public scrutiny intensify, the battle over the official narrative of January 6 continues to take shape—and with it, the legitimacy of institutions charged with protecting democracy.
The claim was made in a social media post that criticized former FBI Director Christopher Wray for “lying” about the agency’s involvement.
Trump’s post states, “I want to know who each and every one of these so-called ‘Agents’ are, and what they were up to on that now ‘Historic’ Day,” and further alleges that many American patriots were forced to “pay a very big price” because of federal misconduct.
He also linked this accusation to earlier criticism of FBI leadership, including former Director James Comey.
The allegation surfaced after conservative news outlets reported that 274 plainclothes FBI agents were embedded in the crowd that day.
These reports suggest that the agents were present both prior to and during the riot, though they offer no credible documentation of such deployment.
However, a 2024 Justice Department Inspector General’s investigation found no evidence that FBI undercover employees were embedded in the protest crowds on January 6.
The report confirmed that there were 26 confidential human sources present—but none were directed to break the law or incite violence, nor were they full-time FBI agents operating undercover.
The IG’s findings have served as a consistent counterpoint to conspiracy theories alleging institutional orchestration of the riot.
The FBI has publicly stated that many agents were dispatched during and after the breach to help restore order, assist law enforcement, and investigate threats, but has repeatedly denied a role in inciting or facilitating the event.
In responding to Trump’s renewed accusations, FBI and DOJ spokespeople have declined immediate comment.
Meanwhile, supporters of the president and aligned media outlets are pushing for hearings and internal memos to reveal whether any undisclosed agency actions took place.
As legal, congressional, and public scrutiny intensify, the battle over the official narrative of January 6 continues to take shape—and with it, the legitimacy of institutions charged with protecting democracy.
