Reps. Thompson, Slotkin seek answers from DHS on intelligence sharing before Jan. 6 attack

U.S. Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) are seeking answers from the Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) on intelligence sharing related to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The congressional inquiry comes after the Wall Street Journal report that I&A sent a national summary to law enforcement across the country, stating there was “nothing significant to report” before the attack. The lawmakers said this is contrary to I&A’s previous warnings about potential violence toward government officials.

“Part of I&A’s mission is to share threat-related information among partners at all levels of government and with the private sector. In October 2020, DHS warned about the heightened potential for violence, particularly toward government officials. Yet, according to a recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article, on January 5, I&A sent a national summary to law enforcement across the country stating there was ‘Nothing significant to report,’ in the lead-up to the attack,” Thompson and Slotkin wrote to Melissa Smislova, acting undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis.

Thompson is chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, while Slotkin is chair of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism.

“We are concerned about these inconsistencies, which may have prevented adequate preparation by the Federal government in advance of the Capitol siege,” the lawmakers added in the letter.

They ask Smislova to provide a copy of the Jan. 5, 2021, national summary referenced in the WSJ article and any correspondence between I&A and its partners regarding potential threats and or any preparations in advance of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The WSJ article also references a January 4 Fusion Center Network call discussing possible threat information leading up to the events on Jan. 6. The lawmakers also seek to understand if I&A was invited to or a participant in that call and, if so, what information was shared.

This is part of the Homeland Security Committeeʻs review of the events and intelligence surrounding the insurrection at the Capitol and related threats against the peaceful transition of power.