WASHINGTON — Attorneys representing Brian J. Cole Jr., charged with planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic party headquarters shortly before the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, are advocating for the dismissal of charges based on clemency granted by former President Donald Trump. In their court filing submitted on Monday, they argue that Trump’s blanket pardons for those involved in the Capitol riot should extend to their client, citing the close relationship between his alleged actions on January 5 and the riot itself.
The motion was made ahead of any trial proceedings, as the defense presented the argument that Cole’s conduct is 'inextricably tethered' to the events that unfolded at the Capitol the following day. Legal representatives for Cole, who is diagnosed with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder, are seeking to utilize the context of his case to paint a broader picture of political unrest.
There has been no immediate response from prosecutors to these claims, although previous filings indicate Cole initially denied any connection between his actions and the Capitol riot during questioning by FBI agents. Prosecutors have previously characterized Cole as having confessed to feelings of being 'bewildered' by conspiracy theories related to the 2020 presidential election and claimed he stated that 'something just snapped' after witnessing the unfolding political turmoil.
Cole, who has remained in custody since his arrest, has a clean criminal record. His attorneys have been pursuing his release prior to trial, which has yet to be scheduled. Prosecutors have outlined that phone records and other evidence helped identify Cole as a suspect in a case that has perplexed investigators for years. The legal challenges presented highlight tensions ongoing in the political landscape, especially concerning those who were involved in actions surrounding the January 6 insurrection.
