A suspect is now in custody, finally answering for the placement of pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol on January 5, 2021 – a breakthrough celebrated by Department of Justice leaders who sharply criticized the pace of the investigation under the current administration.
The arrest of Brian Cole Jr. comes after nearly five years of silence in a case that once sparked intense speculation and accusations of deliberate inaction. Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed that the evidence needed to identify Cole wasn’t newly discovered, but rather had “been sitting there collecting dust.”
Bondi emphasized this wasn’t the result of fresh leads or witnesses, but rather “good, diligent police work and prosecutorial work” applied to existing materials. Investigators painstakingly sifted through records, ultimately pinpointing Cole through bank statements detailing purchases of bomb-making materials and cell phone tower data.
The bombs themselves were discovered in the hours before the January 6th riot, one by a woman doing laundry who immediately alerted authorities. Surveillance footage showed a hooded figure strategically placing the “viable” devices near the headquarters of both the Republican and Democratic National Committees – explosives capable of causing devastating harm.
A congressional report detailed a shift in FBI priorities shortly after President Biden took office, with resources being “diverted” away from the pipe bomb investigation less than two months after the initial discovery. This change fueled concerns that the case was being deliberately sidelined.
For years, theories swirled, particularly within former President Trump’s base, questioning the timing of the bomb placements alongside the Capitol riot and highlighting potential security lapses that allowed individuals like Vice President Kamala Harris to unknowingly approach the dangerous devices.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, a vocal advocate for continued investigation, previously suggested the possibility of an “inside job” and accused the Biden administration of concealing evidence. He stated he made the case a top priority from the beginning, confidently predicting a successful resolution.
While the motive behind the pipe bomb placements remains unclear, authorities are proceeding with charges against Cole, with the possibility of further charges to come as the investigation continues. Bongino declared, “You’re not going to walk into our capital city, put down two explosive devices and walk off in the sunset.”
The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has lingered for years, offering a measure of closure and reaffirming the commitment to pursuing justice, even in the face of prolonged uncertainty.
