Trump Revives January 6 Claims, Sparking Online Debate
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump ignited a new wave of online discussion late on October 12, alleging that over 200 FBI agents where involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump’s claim,posted on his truth Social platform,asserted,”THE BIDEN FBI PLACED 274 AGENTS INTO THE CROWD ON JANUARY 6,” and called for “big apologies” if the assertion was accurate,labeling it a “SCAM.”
The claim is factually inaccurate, as Joe Biden was not president and did not direct the FBI at the time of the insurrection. Trump was in office on January 6, 2021, with the FBI operating under his management. Biden was inaugurated two weeks later.
Trump’s post resurfaced similar allegations he made weeks prior,claiming the FBI had “secretly placed” agents within the crowd. Current FBI Director Kash Patel clarified those earlier remarks, stating agents were deployed for “crowd control mission after the riot was declared by metro Police.”
The January 6th attack occurred after Trump announced a “big protest” in Washington, D.C., following his 2020 election loss to Biden, stating the event’s purpose was to ”build momentum and pressure” on Congress to prevent certification of the election results. Following a speech by Trump, his supporters breached the Capitol, resulting in property damage and four deaths. The D.C. medical examiner resolute three deaths were due to medical emergencies, while the fourth was ashli Babbitt, fatally shot during the unrest.
Despite the attack, Congress certified the election results.Later, Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th events during his presidency.
The White House has not directly addressed Trump’s recent claims. However, Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson previously stated the administration is “returning the agency to its intended mission by rooting out the hyper-politicized elements and restoring integrity,” referencing changes made to the FBI under Trump and Patel’s leadership. The FBI itself has consistently denied any involvement in orchestrating the January 6th insurrection.
