The Secret Service inspector general's in-depth investigation into the events of January 6, 2021, has unveiled significant procedural failures, raising concerns over the agency's transparency and protocol adherence.

According to PJ Media, the investigation highlighted the Secret Service's mishandling of the Capitol breach and associated security threats, including unlogged incidents and destroyed evidence.

The detailed 82-page report released by the Secret Service inspector general scrutinizes how the agency responded to the breach of the Capitol Building and the discovery of pipe bombs near the DNC and RNC headquarters. Numerous concerns regarding operational failures prompted this inquiry.

Key findings indicate that during the chaos of January 6, the Secret Service destroyed critical communications. This included texts, emails, and documents, which were deleted in the process of a system-wide phone migration, as claimed by the agency.

This migration purportedly took place from January 27 to April 2021. However, questions arose as congressional preservation letters requesting data retention were sent on January 16, indicating a potential breach of protocol.

The report further criticized the agency for its failure to log significant security events. Among these, the discovery of a pipe bomb near the DNC and the evacuation of then Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were not recorded under the category "Unusual Protective Event."

Subsequent consequences of these omissions included the absence of an After Action report, which would have provided a detailed account of the incident’s handling and potentially offered lessons for future responses.

The inspector general and experts have expressed significant doubts about the timing of the data deletion, arguing that stopping a planned migration should have been possible after the required retention request by Congress.

In response to the report, the head of the Secret Service admitted that failing to document the bomb discovery and Harris's evacuation was a clear protocol violation. The absence of logs and after-action reports has been criticized as undermining both oversight and accountability.

Expert on misinformation and security incidents, Dr. J. Michael Waller, commented on the implications of such omissions and the accidental or intentional lack of documentation.

In a recent interview on the "Adult in the Room" podcast, which features PJ Media's Victoria Taft, misinformation specialist Dr. J. Michael Waller suggested that the Secret Service might be either knowingly or unknowingly involved in the operation.

Further indicating procedural issues, the Department of Homeland Security delayed email turnovers to the OIG, complicating the investigation. This delay has sparked discussions about transparency within the agency tasked with critical national security.

These findings and the ensuing critiques highlight a concerning possibility: that the Secret Service might not only have failed in immediate responses but also in its obligation to document and review critical security events accurately.

The integrity of Secret Service operations is crucial for national trust and security. Incidents like these question the procedural fidelity and the agency’s capacity to self-audit and reform after significant failures.

Following these revelations, a thorough review and reformation of protocols are inevitable, as suggested by governmental oversight bodies and security experts. Such reforms are essential to restore confidence in the agency tasked with protecting the nation’s highest offices and their functions.

If the findings of the Secret Service Inspector General's report are validated, broader implications for agency protocol and transparency will likely lead to stringent revisions and possibly public accountability measures.

Misinformation about operational incidents is particularly damaging in an era where factual clarity is fundamental to public trust and security.

The investigative report paints a troubling picture of oversight and handling of significant national security threats at a time of immense political and social stress. How the Secret Service adapts to these findings will be crucial in shaping its future operations and public perception.