In Washington, a man believed to have planted pipe bombs outside the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters on January 5, 2021, has been apprehended. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr., is thought to be a supporter of former President Trump. Cole has been in discussions with investigators since his arrest, according to multiple sources who have spoken to CBS News.
On the night before the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol building, two explosive devices were left outside the headquarters of the two major political parties. These devices, however, did not explode. Cole was apprehended in Virginia on a Thursday and had an initial hearing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on the following day. He is facing two charges connected to the explosive devices.
Despite the arrest, investigators have not publicly disclosed a potential motive yet. On Friday, two law enforcement sources revealed that Cole is believed to be a fervent supporter of the former president. Two additional sources confirmed that Cole has been in discussions with the authorities since his apprehension.
Appearing in court, Cole was dressed in a khaki-green short-sleeve jumpsuit. He was represented by a private attorney, John Shoreman. The hearing was presided over by Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya, who read out the charges against Cole: attempted malicious destruction by fire and explosives, and transporting an explosive device across state lines. Cole did not enter a plea during the hearing.
There were six family members present in the courtroom during Cole’s appearance. As he was leaving the courtroom, several of them expressed their love for him. Shoreman, speaking on behalf of the family, declined to provide any comments. Cole’s next scheduled court appearance is slated for December 15.
The pipe bombs were discovered on the afternoon of January 6. This was the same day a mob of supporters of Mr. Trump breached the Capitol building, overwhelming nearby law enforcement. An affidavit from an unidentified FBI agent filed in support of the charges against Cole did not mention the Capitol attack.
The FBI stated that although the devices did not detonate, they were viable, and could have seriously injured or killed innocent bystanders. The bureau had previously noted that the suspect “may still pose a danger to the public or themselves,” and had offered a half-a-million-dollar reward for any information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
This case had been a complex and perplexing issue for the FBI for a considerable period. The investigators had initially released footage of a potential suspect and details about the Nike shoes he was wearing when the bombs were planted. However, there was little progress made in solving the case.
According to the affidavit, cellphone records showed that Cole’s phone was located in the vicinity of the DNC and RNC headquarters on January 5. This was the same day the person who planted the bombs was seen on surveillance footage. Additionally, Cole’s car was also spotted by a license plate reader less than half a mile from where the person was seen on the footage. The document states that investigators have records of him purchasing components that were used to make the explosives.
A press conference was held on Thursday to announce Cole’s arrest. Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, declined to provide details about Cole’s potential motive during the conference. Bondi told reporters that no new tip or witness emerged that led to the arrest. She said that the development was the result of going over evidence that had already been in the FBI’s possession.
“Today’s arrest happened because the Trump administration has made this case a priority,” Bondi said. “The total lack of movement on this case in our nation’s capital undermined the public trust of our enforcement agencies.”
This report was contributed to by Alex Sundby.
