Suspect Arrested After Nearly Five Years Following Pipe Bomb Discovery

After almost five years since “live, active” pipe bombs were found at the RNC and DNC headquarters on January 6, 2021, authorities have made an arrest.

The Department of Justice revealed on Thursday that 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. from Woodbridge, Virginia, is in custody. Cole, who resides with family members and works at a bail bonds office, was apprehended based on evidence gathered through investigative efforts, not new information.

Speaking at a press conference, Attorney General Pam Bondi, along with FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, stated that Cole faces charges of transporting explosives across state lines and attempting to destroy explosives maliciously.

Details about the arrest process remain sparse due to the ongoing investigation, but officials emphasized a commitment to transparency. This case has been prioritized by the Trump administration, as highlighted by Bondi.

She noted that evidence had been, in her words, “left gathering dust” during the Biden administration, which, according to her, contributed to a decline in public confidence in executive agencies.

While acknowledging the involvement of “forensic evidence” in Cole’s arrest, officials did not reveal a possible motive. They mentioned Cole is specifically charged with “planting” bombs at the RNC and DNC the day prior to the Capitol riot.

Authorities also indicated that more charges could potentially be brought against Cole, as the investigation is still developing, and further details may come to light.
“He’s going to have his day in court,” Patel assured.

An FBI affidavit outlines evidence linking Cole to bomb components including galvanized pipes and timers. Investigators were able to track Cole’s phone activity around the times of the bomb placements, noting calls connected to towers near both party headquarters.

Additionally, a Nissan Sentra registered to Cole was spotted close to the locations where the bombs were allegedly placed. His appearance also seemed to correspond with descriptions captured on surveillance footage.

A previous investigation had suggested that a former Capitol Police officer’s gait matched that of the suspect, but currently, there is no indication of her involvement in this case. Reports suggest that video evidence implicated her elsewhere during the bomb placement.