9/11 was 'nothing compared to Jan 6' on terms of 'threat to democracy,' disgraced ex-FBI agent says

WASHINGTON (TND) — A discredited former FBI agent says 9/11, the deadliest terrorist attack ever on American soil, was "nothing compared" to the January 6 U.S. Capitol riots.

Peter Strzok made the comparison during an appearance on MSNBC Monday night. Strzok, who was terminated from the FBI after texts between him and FBI lawyer Lisa Page revealed his anti-Donald Trump bias during the Trump-Russia investigation, was on to discuss the bureau's response to Jan. 6.

The remark followed host Nicolle Wallace referring to Jan. 6 as "the deadliest attack on the U.S. Capitol" in history.

"I think that's right, and I think if you look at the scale in terms of a threat to democracy, I mean, 9/11 was a tragedy," Strzok said. "But when you look at something that is an attack on democracy, something that could actually bring about a fundamental change to American governance as we understand it, 9/11 is nothing compared to January 6th."

Strzok went on to say that if the FBI and federal government are not on the same "war footing" following Jan. 6 as they were in the weeks, months and years following 9/11, then "shame on everyone."

He indicates he does not feel this is the case, saying "if they were, we might hear about it," and that the response is cause for concern for former FBI members.

"This is a far greater threat to our constitutional democracy than anything we've faced in the past 20 or more years," Strzok said.

Nearly 3,000 Americans died as a result of the attacks on 9/11, while nine died on or after Jan. 6, according to the bipartisan Senate report "Examining the U.S. Capitol Attack."

Comparisons between the two events have been made before.

Vice President Kamala Harris came under fire for doing so on the first anniversary of Jan. 6, saying some dates in U.S. history "occupy not only a place on our calendars, but in our collective memory." She included 9/11, Pearl Harbor and Jan. 6 all in that group.

Wallace has also been involved in a previous comparison between the two. In July, she said on MSNBC that Americans should "relive" Jan. 6 the same way they do 9/11, by re-watching footage ahead of the Jan. 6 committee hearings. Further demonstrating how much she supported the approach, she said she may do it herself.