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Dan Bongino Distances Himself From Earlier 'Pipe-Bomb Cover-Up' Claim After 2021 Case Arrest

05:55 PM, 12/05/2025

Former Fox commentator Dan Bongino declined to repeat an earlier claim of a "massive cover-up" after authorities arrested 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. in connection with pipe bombs placed at the DNC and RNC headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021. Justice Department officials credited renewed investigative work and interagency cooperation for the arrest after the case remained unresolved for years. On Fox News, Bongino emphasized that, in his current role, investigations must be guided by facts rather than opinion.

FBI Investigation Reignited After Arrest in 2021 Pipe-Bomb Case

Dan Bongino, the former Fox News host described in the original report as serving in a senior role at the FBI, declined on air to repeat an earlier social-media assertion that there had been a "massive cover-up" to conceal who planted pipe bombs at the Democratic and Republican national committee headquarters.

On Thursday, authorities arrested 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. of Virginia in connection with explosive devices that were placed at both party headquarters on the evening of Jan. 5, 2021 — the day before the Capitol riot. Justice Department officials credited the arrest to renewed investigative work and interagency collaboration after the case remained unresolved for several years.

Speaking later that day on Fox News' Hannity, host Sean Hannity reminded Bongino of an earlier post in which he suggested the investigation might involve an "inside job" or an anti‑Trump insider. Bongino acknowledged his prior commentary but emphasized that his role has changed.

"Listen, I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions. That's clear. And one day I will be back in that space, but that's not what I'm paid for now. I'm paid to be your deputy director and we base investigations on facts."

Bongino added that the FBI's approach is to let new information shape conclusions: investigators "evolve as information and new inputs come out" and base their work on facts rather than speculation.

At the Justice Department press conference announcing the arrest, officials highlighted cooperative police work and forensic analysis that led to the identification and arrest of a suspect. The episode reopened public attention on why the case remained unsolved for years and revived debate about how early speculation can shape public narratives.

Note: The original source included specific attributions that may warrant independent verification. See improvement notes below for details.

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