FBI Director Kash Patel Blames Prior Administration for 'Sheer Incompetence' in Jan. 6 Pipe-Bomb Probe After Arrest

FBI Director Criticizes Prior Handling of Jan. 6 Pipe Bomb Investigation

FBI Director Kash Patel sharply criticized the previous administration on Thursday for its handling of the investigation into two pipe bombs placed near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Speaking on Fox News @ Night Now with Trace Gallagher, Patel said key evidence had been overlooked for four years and that his team reopened the case using cellphone geolocation data and other investigative techniques.

Re-examining Old Leads

Patel described a methodical review of earlier investigative steps: agents rechecked cellphone tower "data dumps," contacted service providers about information supplied under prior search warrants, and questioned why phone numbers were not cross-matched or subject to geolocation analysis sooner. "That is either sheer incompetence or complete intentional negligence — and neither of which is acceptable for this FBI," he said.

'We went back and looked at the cellphone tower data dumps. We went back and looked at the providers and what information they provided pursuant to search warrants at the time,' Patel said.

Arrest and Evidence

The remarks came hours after the FBI arrested Brian Cole Jr., of Woodbridge, Va., on allegations that he planted two pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee offices as protesters marched toward the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced federal charges that include the use of an explosive device; Cole is scheduled to appear in federal court in Washington, D.C.

Patel said investigators returned to what he termed "good cop basics" — reviewing hundreds of tips, conducting interviews, and re-checking surveillance footage. He highlighted cellphone analysis as a pivotal tool: investigators matched devices in the area to the suspect's physical description and even to distinctive footwear captured on video.

'We, the FBI, have the best cellphone capability tracking systems, and we use that to say who was around the area that matches the description, the height, the weight, the size, and who was wearing this sort of sneakers,' Patel said. 'But on top of that, I can generally say that, you know, some of our biggest breakthroughs always come from cell phone analysis.'

Patel noted that a pair of distinctive Nike sneakers seen on surveillance video helped narrow leads because only a limited number of that model were produced domestically. He emphasized that building court-admissible evidence and coordinating with prosecutors was a priority before executing arrests and search warrants.

"We can arrest anyone we want. But we worked with our partners at the Department of Justice, the attorney general and the U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, to leverage countless subpoenas and legal processes before we ever decided to hit the house, like we did this morning," Patel said.

Prosecutors and Secrecy

Attorney General Bondi echoed Patel's criticism on Fox & Friends, saying the case "languished" for four years and praising the recent investigation for being tightly controlled to avoid leaks. Bondi confirmed that both devices were real and did not detonate, and she said she expects additional charges as the probe continues.

Officials say hundreds of agents have worked on the case since it was reopened, and investigators continue to review evidence. The report credits Fox News reporters Anders Hagstrom, David Spunt and Greg Wehner for contributions.