But while the FBI has opened more than 160 case files in the six days since pro-Donald Trump protesters breached the United States Capitol building, officials acknowledged on Tuesday that the evidence gathered so far “is just the tip of the iceberg.” iceberg. ”
“People will be shocked by some of the blatant contacts that took place at the Capitol,” said Union Prosecutor Michael Sherwin.
At the same time, FBI and Justice Department officials sought to reassure the American public on Tuesday that they are up to the task on both fronts during a news conference that also revealed the enormity of the challenge currently facing enforcement agencies. of the law involved in both efforts.
“The FBI is very familiar with complex investigations on a large scale … we are up to the challenge,” said Steven D’Antuono, assistant director of the FBI’s field office in Washington DC.
Sherwin repeated this point, telling reporters: “The scope and scale of this investigation in these cases is really unprecedented not only in the history of the FBI, but probably in the history of the DOJ, in which essentially the Capitol grounds outside and inside are essentially a crime scene “
“It will not be resolved in the coming months,” he added.
FBI director Christopher Wray did not attend the press conference.
The Justice Department has already charged 70 cases and Sherwin said he believes that number will rise to 100 and that individuals already in prison could face more serious crimes.
The FBI is tracking money, travel records, people movements and communications, as well as following tips from the public and images and photos from last Wednesday’s scene.
D’Antuono also said that agents are still investigating whether riot participants intend to take members of Congress hostage.
D’Antuono noted that the FBI is seeking information about a person or persons who helped plant pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic headquarters last week.
He said the bombs were real and had timers.
“We don’t know exactly why they didn’t explode.”
This story is emerging and will be updated.
CNN’s Katelyn Polantz contributed to this report.