Republican lawmakers are intensifying their scrutiny of federal law enforcement after a Justice Department report revealed numerous FBI informants attended the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol protest.

The disclosure that 26 confidential sources were present during the demonstration has prompted fresh concerns about transparency in the hundreds of related prosecutions, according to legal experts familiar with the cases.

A detailed investigation by Inspector General Michael Horowitz highlighted that 17 of these informants accessed restricted zones, with four entering the Capitol building itself. The report indicated these individuals supplied information about the Electoral Certification both before and during the incident.

“The presence of these sources raises significant questions about disclosure to defense attorneys,” said legal scholar Jonathan Turley in a social media statement. He noted that defense teams would likely want detailed information about the activities of these confidential sources.

The findings align with previous congressional inquiries, including pointed questions from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) during a Senate Judiciary Committee session. When pressed about agency involvement, FBI Assistant Executive Director Jill Sanborn repeatedly declined to provide specific answers about informant activities.

Congressional oversight committees are preparing to launch additional investigations into the matter. The focus will likely center on whether defendants and their legal representatives received complete information about the presence of these sources during their trials.

The Inspector General’s document specifically noted that these confidential sources lacked authorization to enter restricted areas or breach any laws during the protest. However, the report confirmed that one informant received compensation for travel expenses related to both the Capitol protest and the presidential inauguration.

This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations and prosecutions stemming from the Capitol breach. Legal experts suggest these revelations could impact both pending cases and previous convictions related to the events of Jan. 6.

The disclosure has reignited debate about federal law enforcement’s role during the protest, with many conservative lawmakers demanding additional details about the scope and nature of the FBI’s involvement in monitoring the demonstration.