Capitol Attack: Federal Agencies Identified Some Threats, but Did Not Fully Process and Share Information Prior to January 6, 2021

Prior to and during the events of January 6, 2021, federal, state, and local entities were responsible for identifying and sharing information on potential threats to inform security measures and ensure the safety of the U.S. Capitol.

GAO was asked to review the January 6, 2021, attack. This report addresses how federal agencies identified threats related to the events of January 6, 2021; the extent to which federal agencies took steps to process and share threat information before the events of January 6, 2021; and how federal agencies identified threat information for the events of January 6, 2021, compared to other large demonstrations in Washington, D.C. This report is a public version of a sensitive report issued in January 2023. Information that agencies deemed sensitive has been omitted.