Defendant in D.C. pipe bomb case ordered held in custody during initial court appearance

Washington Brian Cole Jr., 30, suspected of placing pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee offices on January 5, 2021, was ordered held during his first federal court appearance. Cole was arrested in Virginia on Thursday and appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Friday.

Cole faces two federal charges connected to explosive devices discovered outside the party headquarters the night before the January 6 Capitol riot. At the hearing, he wore a khaki-green short-sleeve jumpsuit and was represented by private attorney John Shoreman.

Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya oversaw the proceeding, reading the charges of attempted malicious destruction with fire and explosives, and interstate transportation of an explosive device. Cole did not enter a plea. Six family members attended the hearing, expressing support as he left the courtroom. Shoreman declined to comment on their behalf. His next court date is set for December 15.

The pipe bombs were found on the afternoon of January 6, when supporters of then-President Trump stormed the Capitol. An FBI affidavit supporting the charges did not link the devices directly to the Capitol breach. The explosives did not detonate, but authorities stated they were functional and posed a serious threat to public safety. The FBI previously warned that Cole "may still pose a danger to the public or themselves" and offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to his capture and conviction.

The investigation had remained unresolved for years. FBI officials had released surveillance footage and noted the suspect's distinctive Nike shoes. Cellphone data placed Cole near the DNC and RNC offices on January 5, matching the location of the person captured in security footage. Additionally, license plate records showed his car within half a mile of the sites, and investigators documented purchases of materials used in the devices.

During a press briefing announcing the arrest, Attorney General Pam Bondi did not elaborate on Coles motive. She stated that no new tips or witnesses led to the arrest; it resulted from a careful review of existing evidence. Bondi emphasized that prioritizing the case was a decision of the Trump administration and criticized the slow progress previously, saying it had eroded public trust in law enforcement agencies.

Author: Connor Blake