The FBI are examining more than 100,000 digital images and videos sent to them by the public as they continue to investigate the insurrection at the Capitol last week.
Giving an update on Wednesday, FBI Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Steven D'Antuono that the agency has already opened more than 170 investigations against those accused of storming the building in an apparent attempt to overthrow the government, warning that this is "just the tip of the iceberg."
Images and videos of the Donald Trump supporters, far-right extremists, and followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory in the halls of Congress were widely shared online following the attack, a number of whom have since been formally identified.
The FBI has frequently asked for the public's help in identifying those pictured at the Capitol during the deadly riot.
"To be clear, the brutality the American people watched with shock and disbelief on the 6th will not be tolerated by the FBI," D'Antuono said. "The men and women of the FBI will leave no stone unturned in this investigation.
"The significance of this investigation is not lost on us. This is a 24/7, full-bore, extensive operation into what happened that day.
"We cannot do our job without the help of the American people. Since our call for tips, videos, and pictures, we have received more than 100,000 pieces of digital media—which is absolutely fantastic—and are scouring every one for investigative and intelligence leads."
D'Antuono said that even those suspects who have since left D.C. should still expect agents to "be knocking on your door" if they committed any criminal acts on January 6. The FBI are also offering people to come forward to volunteer information about their participation in the riot.
In contrast to earlier claims by Capitol Police, D'Antuono said the FBI had gathered intelligence that a number of individuals were planning to travel to the D.C. area with intentions to cause violence, which they shared with police.
D'Antuono said as a result of this sharing of intelligence Enrique Tarrio, leader of the far-right Proud Boys group, was arrested by Metropolitan Police on January 4 while he was entering D.C. on suspicion of destruction of property. Tarrio was accused of setting fire to a Black Lives Matter flag that had been ripped down from a church on December 12 following a previous pro-Trump protest in the capital.
Police also allegedly found him in possession of two high-capacity firearm magazines ahead of the demonstrations.
"The FBI receives enormous amounts of information and intelligence, and our job is to determine the credibility and viability of it, under the laws and policies that govern FBI investigations," D'Antuono said.
"We have to separate the aspirational from the intentional and determine which of the individuals saying despicable things on the internet are just practicing keyboard bravado or they actually have the intent to do harm. If the latter, we work diligently to identify them and prevent them from doing so."
It is unclear if the FBI shared their information regarding potentially violent suspects with Capitol Police. The department has been contacted for comment.
