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FBI Deputy Director Bongino Walks Back Conspiracy Claims After Pipe-Bomb Arrest

01:05 AM, 12/06/2025
FBI Deputy Director Bongino Walks Back Conspiracy Claims After Pipe-Bomb Arrest

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino publicly distanced himself from past conspiracy rhetoric after the arrest of Brian Cole Jr. in the January 6 pipe-bomb investigation. Cole, 30, was charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and malicious destruction by means of explosion; the FBI says the devices could have been lethal but caused no injuries. Bongino told Fox News he previously "was paid" for opinion work but must now rely on facts in his role as deputy director, a shift underscored by the arrest that undercuts his earlier claims.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has publicly distanced himself from conspiracy-filled rhetoric he promoted before joining the bureau’s leadership, offering a notable reversal after an arrest in the pipe-bomb investigation tied to the Jan. 6, 2021 events.

Bongino, who was sworn in earlier this year, was asked on Fox News by host Sean Hannity about his prior allegation that the FBI planted pipe bombs near the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee. Responding to the question, Bongino acknowledged a change in role and tone, saying:

"I was paid in the past for my opinions, that’s clear, and one day I’ll 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."

The timing of Bongino's shift came after federal agents arrested Brian Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia. Authorities say Cole is believed to have planted the two explosive devices; he has been charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and malicious destruction by means of explosion.

The FBI reports that no one was injured, but both devices could have been lethal if not disarmed by authorities. The arrest undercuts Bongino’s earlier public assertions: on his podcast in January—weeks before taking office—he called the pipe-bomb episode "the biggest scandal in FBI history" and suggested, without presenting evidence, that the agency "knew" the bomber’s identity and that the devices were meant to create a political narrative.

On Fox News following the arrest, Bongino emphasized that the bureau will now proceed based on verified information. "We’re going to be guided by the facts as this thing goes forward," he said.

Context And Background

Before joining the FBI leadership, Bongino gained a large audience as a podcaster and commentator who frequently promoted aggressive conspiracy theories. He amplified debunked claims about the 2020 election, framed federal institutions as a politicized "deep state," and spread misinformation about COVID-19 while opposing vaccine mandates despite being vaccinated himself. He also advocated for aggressive legal and political pressure against critics and perceived opponents.

The comments represent a relatively rare public effort by a senior FBI official to qualify or walk back conspiracy-adjacent statements tied to an active investigation. The FBI has been contacted for comment.

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