Arrest Made in Pipe Bomb Incident Linked to Capitol Attack

Sun Dec 07 2025 05:00:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Federal investigators have arrested a man, Brian Cole Jr., accused of planting pipe bombs outside party headquarters ahead of the Capitol attack. He admitted to the act and shared his beliefs about the election.

Brian Cole Jr., 30, was arrested for reportedly planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national party headquarters on January 5, 2021, just before the Capitol riot. He has confessed to the crime, expressing belief that the 2020 election was stolen. Although the FBI has not linked the bombs to the Capitol attack, the case has reopened discussions about security during that tumultuous time. Cole's case is set to be represented by the federal public defender's office as the investigation continues.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The man accused of planting a pair of pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national parties in Washington on the eve of the U.S. Capitol attack has confessed to the act during interviews with investigators, according to unnamed sources.

Brian Cole Jr., 30, indicated that he believed the 2020 election had been stolen and expressed support for then-President Donald Trump. This adds to the evolving image of the suspect from Woodbridge, Virginia, following his recent arrest.

The case remains clouded in uncertainties as federal authorities have yet to disclose a motive or confirm any ties between Cole's actions and the Capitol riots that ensued. As of now, Cole is facing explosives charges regarding the placement of the bombs on January 5, 2021. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but both explosives could have been lethal, as noted by the FBI.

Representatives from the federal public defender’s office, assigned to Cole's case, remain tight-lipped ahead of his court appearance. Consistent attempts to reach Cole's family have gone unanswered.

The investigation has identified Cole through a detailed analysis of purchases related to the pipe bomb components, which also included monitoring credit card transactions and license plate readings.

The arrest brings to light a mystery that has lingered for nearly five years since the violent events that unfolded on that day, raising significant security concerns at the Capitol.