DC pipe bomb suspect admits to planting devices outside DNC, RNC: sources
On Thursday afternoon, a Virginia man named Brian Cole Jr. confessed to planting pipe bombs at the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican National Committees on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, sources revealed to The Post. Cole, aged 30, appeared in DC federal court on Friday afternoon but did not enter a plea. He was ordered to be held pending a detention hearing scheduled for December 15.
Cole is facing charges of transporting explosives across state lines with intent to kill, injure, and cause damage, as well as attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials. The arrest of Cole came after an exhaustive re-examination of the case led by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
The pipe bombs, which were placed outside the headquarters of the two main political parties in America, were not discovered until 17 hours later, just before supporters of then-President Trump breached the Capitol building, leading to a delay in the certification of the 2020 election results. Investigators revealed that Cole admitted to the crime and claimed he believed Trump had won the election, not Joe Biden.
Despite Cole’s alleged endorsement of the stolen election claim, a national Republican operative stated that there was no indication that Cole was a Trump voter. It was also noted that Cole did not appear to be registered with either political party in Virginia and had not voted in primary races, but did cast ballots in general elections in various years.
The motive behind Cole’s actions remains unclear as his four-hour interview with investigators included conflicting statements. Federal investigators did not rely on any new outside tips to apprehend Cole, who had evaded police for nearly five years. FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned that the case was re-examined from scratch after the previous leadership had no success for four years.
The FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The investigation into Cole’s involvement in the pipe bomb incident continues as more details unfold.
