The individual suspected of planting pipe bombs in Washington DC on the eve of the deadly 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol is set for his initial federal court hearing.
Charges and Arrest in Long-Running Investigation
Brian Cole Jr, a 30-year-old from Woodbridge, Virginia, was taken into custody on Thursday. He faces two explosives-related charges for allegedly placing pipe bombs outside the headquarters of both the Democratic and Republican national committees on the evening of 5 January 2021. The devices, located not far from the Capitol and White House, were discovered and safely deactivated by police the following day. Neither bomb exploded and no injuries were reported.
Evidence and Investigation Breakthrough
According to an FBI affidavit, investigators traced the purchase of several components used to construct the bombs back to Cole. These items included pipes, kitchen timers, and battery connectors. Furthermore, cellphone and vehicle licence plate data allegedly placed Cole in the vicinity of the two political party buildings that evening.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the arrest resulted from a renewed review of existing evidence, not from new information coming to light. Cole is the first suspect to be publicly named and apprehended in connection with this specific plot, marking a significant development in a case that has challenged authorities for over three years.
Context of the January 6th Capitol Attack
The pipe bombs were planted the night before a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol in a violent attempt to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. FBI officials noted that dealing with the explosive devices required substantial police resources on a day when law enforcement was already stretched thin by the impending rally and subsequent insurrection.
Justice Department officials have not publicly disclosed a motive for the pipe bomb incident or confirmed any direct link between the bombs and the riot at the Capitol, where lawmakers and staff were forced to flee for safety.
Cole is scheduled to appear in a Washington DC federal court on Friday, the day after his arrest. The charges against him carry a potential maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years if he is convicted.
