Warner criticizes DOJ for claiming they make America safer

Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) expressed skepticism on Thursday regarding the Department of Justice's assertion that their efforts are making the United States safer, following President Trumps pardons of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

During an appearance on MS NOWs Katy Tur Reports, Warner commended the DOJ for its successful investigation that led to the arrest of a Virginia man linked to pipe bombs placed outside both Democratic and Republican national committee offices on January 5, 2021. He described the arrest as good news but added that it seemed ironic for the DOJ to claim that the country is now safer.

Warner questioned whether the suspect could have been apprehended sooner if law enforcement resources had not been diverted, and he reflected on the events at the Capitol on January 6, calling it an ugly, awful day. He criticized the Trump administration for issuing pardons to nearly all perpetrators of the insurrection, describing their selective presentation of facts as frustrating.

On Thursday, the FBI revealed that 30-year-old Brian Cole from Woodbridge, Virginia, faced charges including transporting an explosive device across state lines and attempting malicious destruction using explosive materials. For years, authorities had only identified him as a hoodie-wearing individual with a face mask and Nike Air Max sneakers, approximately 56 tall. Forensic analysis connected various components used in the bomb to Cole.

According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, 233,000 end caps similar to those in the explosive device were sold commercially. Charging documents indicate that Cole purchased multiple black and galvanized end caps from Home Depot stores in Northern Virginia between October 2019 and November 2020. Cell phone data placed him near the RNC and DNC buildings on January 5, and his vehicle was seen close to the suspected bomb placement site shortly after.

Following his return to the White House, President Trump signed an executive order pardoning almost all individuals convicted of assaulting police during the Capitol riot, while commuting sentences for a handful of others. The DOJ was also instructed to dismiss pending indictments for Jan. 6 defendants whose cases had not been resolved. In response, Senate Democrats introduced a resolution condemning these pardons, with Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) denouncing them as a wholesale endorsement of political violence as long as it serves Donald Trump.

Author: Benjamin Carter