FBI Most Wanted Puts out Capitol Rioters Photos, Pleas for Information

The FBI has released photos of dozens of people they want to speak to in connection with the riots in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

Five died during the siege, including a Capitol Police officer who was injured "while physically engaging with protesters" when hundreds of pro-Trump supporters stormed the building after the president encouraged them to "show strength" and march on Congress.

A protester was also shot to death by Capitol Police while three other unidentified people died after "medical emergencies" related to the siege.

Early on Friday, the FBI's Washington D.C. field office said it was seeking help from the public to identify individuals who "made unlawful entry" into the Capitol.

In all, 40 photos—some showing half-a-dozen or so protesters—were published on the FBI's website, the majority of whom were white men, often wearing red Trump MAGA hats or draped in the U.S. flag.

Several were individuals whose photos were already widely shared on social media, including a member of the pro-Trump mob carrying a Confederate flag as he trespassed through the second floor of the Capitol. He was photographed passing the portraits of slaveholder John Calhoun and abolitionist Charles Sumner.

Also on the FBI's wanted list was a protester seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate chamber, and a man seen dialling a phone at a desk inside the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Another photo showed a protester sitting in Pelosi's chair in the Senate. A separate image featured an individual dressed in an animal skin costume, holding a wooden staff and plastic shield.

Many of those who took part have already been informally identified.

A man—not believed to feature in the FBI photos—who was pictured sitting at a desk in the unoccupied office of Pelosi was named by several media outlets including The New York Times as Richard Barnett, 60, from Gravette, Arkansas.

He described how he barged his way in and "wrote her a nasty note" before taking a letter bearing the House Speaker's name and leaving.

Speaking to the Times, Barnett denied stealing the envelope—"I put a quarter on her desk"—and claimed he had only knocked on Pelosi's door before he was pushed into the room by other rioters.

Another, Josiah Colt, told Idaho-based news outlet KBOI-TV he sat in the Senate chamber chair.

"I love America," he said in a statement to the outlet. "I love the people, I didn't hurt anyone and I didn't cause any damage in the Chamber.

"I got caught up in the moment and when I saw the door to the Chamber open, I walked in, hopped down, and sat on the chair. I said my peace then I helped a gentleman get to safety that was injured then left."

Anyone with information regarding these individuals, or anyone who witnessed any unlawful actions at the Capitol or nearby, was asked to contact the FBI's Toll-Free Tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Witnesses can also submit any information, photos, or videos linked to the unrest at fbi.gov/USCapitol, or contact a local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate.