Pipe Bomb Suspect Claims Anger at Both Parties, Not Jan. 6 Plot
Federal prosecutors say the man charged with planting pipe bombs outside the headquarters of both major U.S. political parties on the eve of January 6, 2021, insists his actions were not meant to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election, even though he believed the election was stolen.
According to a new court filing, Brian Cole, a Virginia man now facing multiple federal charges, told investigators that his motivation stemmed from anger toward both parties rather than allegiance to either. During a lengthy interview with law enforcement, Cole reportedly said he disliked Republicans and Democrats alike and viewed them as “the ones in charge.”
The devices were placed near the headquarters of the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee the night before the Capitol riot. Prosecutors say the bombs were real, functional, and set with 60-minute timers. Cole allegedly left the area after placing them, picked up food, and returned to Virginia.
While Cole later claimed he placed the devices at night because he did not want to kill anyone, prosecutors say the bombs were not meant as symbolic warnings and were intended to detonate. He reportedly admitted hoping the incident would make the news, though he said he felt relieved when the devices failed to explode.
Investigators also allege that Cole took extensive steps to evade detection in the years following the incident. Court filings say he wiped his cellphone data nearly a thousand times, never confided in anyone about the crime, and disposed of bomb-making materials at a dump after recognizing himself in FBI surveillance footage released to the public.
Cole reportedly told agents that his method was inspired by historical conflicts, citing the Troubles in Northern Ireland as a point of interest rather than modern American political movements. Prosecutors argue this undermines claims that his actions were spontaneous or politically ambiguous.
Federal authorities are seeking to keep Cole detained pending trial, citing the seriousness of the charges, the sophistication of the devices, and what they describe as a prolonged effort to obstruct the investigation. A detention hearing is scheduled for this week, as first reported by ABC News.
If convicted, Cole could face decades in federal prison.
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