Former Capitol Police Officer Shauni Kerkhoff has filed a defamation lawsuit against Blaze Media, Steve Baker, Joseph Hanneman, and their new publication, Veritas Regnut, in response to claims regarding a pipe bomb incident in Washington D.C. in 2021. The incident involved two pipe bombs placed outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters on the eve of the January 6 protests. Thankfully, the bombs did not explode, and no injuries resulted.
The lawsuit references a Blaze News article from November 8, 2025, which labeled Kerkhoff as a “forensic match” to the bombing suspect based on gait analysis. However, in December, the Department of Justice revealed that the suspect was actually Brian Cole Jr., of Woodbridge, Virginia. Blaze News promptly retracted its article following Cole’s arrest.
Kerkhoff, represented by the defamation law firm Claire Locke based in Alexandria, claims that the accusations have “irrevocably changed her life.” Her complaint states that she was ultimately acquitted, and it alleges that the investigative actions initiated by Blaze News prompted the FBI to look into her.
It also notes that the publication cited the subsequent FBI investigation as supporting evidence for its accusations. According to Kerkhoff’s complaint, she was questioned by FBI agents on November 6 and took a polygraph test that night. The results of the polygraph are not included in her lawsuit, but Cole’s complaint mentions questions related to the bombing, indicating Kerkhoff supposedly failed the test.
Interestingly, Kerkhoff’s complaint doesn’t delve into how she failed the polygraph test. Yet, Cole’s complaint mentions that the polygraph examiner felt her responses seemed rehearsed. The FBI designated Kerkhoff as a “person of interest” on November 7, a day before Blaze News’s article was published.
Initially, Blaze News reported that Kerkhoff was a “94% match” to the bombing suspect based on gait analysis, and this was reportedly confirmed by official channels. After the real suspect’s arrest, Blaze News took back its claims. They have stated they will defend themselves against what they call a “frivolous lawsuit,” arguing it pertains to legitimate news reporting under the protection of the First Amendment and Virginia’s anti-SLAPP law.
Kerkhoff’s lawsuit comprises six defamation claims, with four specifically targeting Blaze Media. She seeks an unspecified amount in damages that will be determined during the trial.
