FBI Continues Massive Investigation Into January 6 Capitol Riot, Hundreds Arrested

The investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot has become the largest in FBI history. That is not hyperbole. That is not political rhetoric. That is simply what happens when thousands of people storm the seat of American democracy while the whole world watches on live television and cell phone cameras capture everything.

As of the one year anniversary, over 725 people have been arrested in connection with the attack. NPR has been tracking every federal case from initial charges through sentencing, creating a comprehensive database of the prosecutions. The charges range from misdemeanors like “parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building” to serious felonies including assaulting police officers with deadly weapons.

But heres what stands out: the FBI estimates that between 2,000 and 2,500 people actually entered the Capitol that day. That means investigators are still working to identify and arrest potentially a thousand more participants. Every week brings new arrests as the crowdsourced investigation – with tips pouring in from the public, including family members and coworkers identifying rioters – continues to yield results.

The conspiracy charges are particularly significant. TIME has been documenting the arrests and sentences of key figures, including members of far-right extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. These arent just people who wandered into the building – prosecutors allege coordinated planning and communication before the attack.

What makes this investigation unprecedented isnt just its scale but its transparency. The FBI has publicly acknowledged the domestic terrorism threat that the attack represented, and the Justice Department has made case information publicly available in ways rarely seen for ongoing investigations.

Five people died during or shortly after the riot. Approximately 140 law enforcement officers were injured. Over $2.9 million in damage was done to the Capitol building itself. And the peaceful transfer of power – a cornerstone of American democracy since George Washington voluntarily left office in 1797 – was violently disrupted for the first time in the nations history.

The investigation continues. More arrests are coming. And historians will be studying this event for generations to come.