DOJ: Jan. 6 Pipe‑Bomb Suspect Cited 2020 Election Conspiracy Theories, Faces Federal Terrorism Charges

The Justice Department says Brian Cole Jr., arrested earlier this month after a five‑year manhunt, told investigators he planted pipe bombs outside the headquarters of both the Democratic and Republican National Committees on Jan. 6, 2021, and repeatedly invoked conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election.

What the DOJ filing says

In a filing released ahead of Cole's detention hearing, prosecutors say he told agents he "was going to a protest in support of then‑President Trump" on Jan. 6 and expressed frustration that votes were being "thrown away." According to the document, Cole said, "If people feel that their votes are like just being thrown away, then … at the very least someone should address it."

Prosecutors wrote there is an "intolerable risk that he will again resort to violence to express his frustration with the world around him."

Charges and investigation

Federal authorities arrested Cole after a multistate investigation and charged him with transporting explosives across state lines and with maliciously attempting to use explosive devices to damage or destroy property — the latter charged as a federal terrorism offense carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years. The FBI has described the devices as "viable explosive devices" that ultimately did not detonate.

The filing also notes that Cole "has never really been an openly political person" and that relatives and acquaintances were unable to clearly identify his political views. When asked why he targeted the RNC and DNC headquarters, Cole reportedly said, "I really don't like either party at this point," and denied the placement of the devices was aimed at Congress or directly connected to the planned certification of the 2020 election at the Capitol.

Context and additional details

Then‑Vice President‑elect Kamala Harris was inside the DNC headquarters when law enforcement discovered one of the devices outside that building; she was evacuated after U.S. Capitol Police responded. Cole also told investigators he drew inspiration from The Troubles, the decades‑long sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland during which paramilitary groups used pipe bombs in numerous attacks.

Cole is scheduled for a detention hearing on Tuesday at 1 p.m. The prosecutor listed on the docket is Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine, who previously led prosecutions of leaders of the Proud Boys for their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Note: This article summarizes allegations in a Department of Justice filing. Charges are allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.