Capitol protests
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
  • The FBI has asked for the public’s help in identifying insurrectionists who breached the Capitol on Wednesday.
  • The ask has gotten a lot of attention online, as the historical attack was one of the most well-documented crimes in history.
  • CNN’s Jim Sciutto tweeted that some FBI arrests will be announced on Thursday.
  • Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

The FBI has asked for help identifying rioters who took part in Wednesday’s violent breach of the Capitol building.

Some members of the public are left scratching their heads because the siege was among the most well-documented crimes in history.

“The FBI is seeking information that will assist in identifying individuals who are actively instigating violence in Washington, D.C.,” the bureau said in a statement shared online. “The FBI is accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting and violence in the U.S. Capitol Building and surrounding area in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021.”

When dozens of crazed fanatics obsessed with the false idea that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent breached the Capitol building on Wednesday, few made any apparent attempt to mask their identities.

Their faces were well documented by the journalists who were trapped inside with the rioters, and even by insurrectionists themselves who were streaming to alt-right social channels.

It took more than four hours for law enforcement to take back control of the US government building, which was being looted and damaged in the chaos.

So when the taxpayer-funded FBI requested help from civilians to identify the criminals who incited violence at what should have been one of the most well-protected properties in the world, the internet found some humor in it.

Cody Keenan, President Barack Obama's chief speechwriter, responded to the FBI tweet that the pro-Trump rioters were not hard to find.

Keenan was referring to photos and video of Trump supporters at nearby hotels.

Others shared video of the moment when screaming rioters in Trump gear busted their way through Capitol gates, pushing police officers to the ground.

CNN reporter Jim Sciutto reported Thursday morning that FBI arrests will be announced later in the day.

"Just because people weren't arrested yesterday doesn't mean they won't be arrested," Scuitto reported a DOJ official told him. "No charges are off the table."

Those with information about violent behavior at the Capitol can reach the FBI at ‪1-800-CALL-FBI (1-‪800-225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov.

Images can be submitted at fbi.gov/USCapitol.

Read the original article on Insider