CNN's Evan Perez Commends Sean Hannity for Challenging Dan Bongino on Alleged Involvement in Previous J6 Pipe Bomber Incident

CNN senior justice correspondent Evan Perez acknowledged Fox News host Sean Hannity for challenging FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino regarding earlier conspiracy claims about the Washington, D.C. pipe bombing suspect.

Perez appeared on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown to discuss developments in the case of Brian Cole, 30, accused by the FBI and Justice Department of placing pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee offices on January 5, 2021, the night before the Capitol attack.

According to CNN sources, Cole told investigators he believed the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent, which Perez highlighted as a potential key factor in understanding the suspects motives. Cole is scheduled for arraignment and has not yet entered a plea.

Perez also praised Hannity for directly addressing Bonginos previous statements about the pipe bomb incidents. Less than a year ago, Bongino suggested in a podcast that the events might have been an inside job and claimed on social media that a massive cover-up was preventing the public from knowing the truth.

In a clip shared by Perez, Bongino responded to Hannity: I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions. Thats clear. One day Ill return to that space, but currently, I am paid to serve as your deputy director and we base investigations on facts.

Perez noted that Hannity asked the question he himself had wanted to pose during a recent press briefing about Coles arrest. I raised my hand multiple times yesterday but was not called on, Perez said. Hannity asked the question I had in mind: do you still believe this was an inside job? The deputy FBI director has been particularly focused on this case since taking office.

Author: Ava Mitchell