Feds arrest suspect for pipe bombs placed on eve of Jan. 6 riot

Federal officials Thursday morning arrested and charged a Virginia man in connection with pipe bombs placed at political headquarters on the eve of Jan. 6. The reported arrest came nearly five years after pipe bombs were discovered outside the Republican and Democratic national committee buildings in Washington, D.C.

What do we know about the suspect? At a news conference Thursday afternoon, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro identified the suspect as Brian Cole. He’s charged with transporting an explosive device via interstate commerce and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials, Pirro said. Attorney General Pamela Bondi added that he may face additional charges in the future, but declined to elaborate. 

Both Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stressed that no recent tips had been submitted in the case. They said the arrest was made based on evidence in storage. Bondi accused the administration of former President Joe Biden of allowing the investigation to languish for four years.

What's the background of the case? Surveillance footage appeared to show a man suspected of placing the bombs the night before, wearing a gray hoodie, a mask, and Nike sneakers. The FBI offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect. Security officials discovered the bombs—made of pipe, black powder, and timers—just before crowds of Trump supporters swarmed Capitol Hill as legislators certified former President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.

There were pipe bombs associated with Jan. 6? Investigators found no ties between the bombs and the subsequent Capitol building riots. The Department of Homeland Security and the Republicans on the House Oversight Committee conducted probes into the incident. Both investigations found that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris separately passed within feet of the incendiary device outside the DNC before it was discovered.

Dig deeper: Read Emily Belz’s report in WORLD Magazine for more background on the events of Jan. 6, 2021.