WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) are pushing Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz to provide a full picture of the DOJ’s use of Confidential Human Sources (CHS) and undercover agents on January 6, 2021 (J6) during the electoral certification in Washington, D.C.
The chairmen are seeking clarity on whether, in addition to the 26 previously identified Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) CHSs present on J6, any of DOJ’s other federal law enforcement agencies had employees, contractors or untasked CHSs assigned to the area. DOJ component agencies include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
Inspector General Horowitz’s April 7, 2025, response to the chairmen noted that his office “did not request all of the text messages for all of the 26 CHSs and their handlers.” The Inspector General’s response also failed to answer whether his office obtained all classified communications as part of its review. The chairmen have requested all communications, including text messages, between DOJ component agency handlers and their CHSs/undercover agents.
“It’s well past time the American people received complete transparency and clarity regarding the full extent of the Justice Department and its component agencies’ involvement in the events of J6. Inspector General Horowitz must be thorough in his approach and shed light on every corner of the department he oversees. We expect Horowitz to bring finality to this investigation by fully complying with our requests,” Grassley and Johnson said of their oversight push.
Background:
On December 12, 2024, the DOJ Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report revealing that 26 FBI CHSs were present at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Quickly after the report’s release, Grassley and Johnson wrote to Horowitz requesting more information, including whether DOJ component agencies other than FBI had tasked or untasked CHSs present at the Capitol that day. Horowitz’s response on April 7, 2025, failed to address all of the chairmen’s questions and requests. Today’s letter follows up on their December 12 inquiry and asks for a timely response for all requested records.
Read the full letter HERE.