Federal prosecutors revealed on Sunday that the man charged with planting pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021, expressed a desire to “speak up” for those who believed the 2020 election was rigged. He allegedly targeted both major political parties, viewing them as the architects of the political landscape.
The allegations were outlined in a Justice Department memo that argued for the continued detention of Brian J. Cole Jr., who was arrested earlier this month, as the legal proceedings unfold.
Cole was apprehended in Woodbridge, Virginia, after being identified as the individual suspected of placing explosive devices near the Capitol complex and outside the headquarters of both the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee. This arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a case that had remained unsolved for years.
The memo released on Sunday offers the most comprehensive account from the government so far, including statements attributed to Cole by prosecutors. Additionally, it mentions the discovery of bomb-making components in Cole’s residence, which authorities claim tie him to the incident.
Brian J. Cole Jr., the suspect in the D.C. pipe bomb case, made his initial court appearance on Friday, December 5, 2025.
Homemade bombs, which did not detonate, were found on January 6, but prosecutors noted that Cole has denied any connection between his actions and the events at the Capitol that day.
Although he initially denied involvement, prosecutors allege Cole later confessed to placing the devices outside the RNC and DNC.
Cole also allegedly said he was disillusioned by the election outcome and sympathetic to claims by President Donald Trump and some allies that it had been stolen.
The Department of Justice releases new photos of Brian J. Cole, who was arrested by the FBI for alleged involvement in the D.C. pipe bomb incident. (Department of Justice)
“In the defendant’s view, if people ‘feel that, you know, something as important as voting in the federal election is being tampered with, is being, you know, being – you know, relegated null and void, then, like, someone needs to speak up, right? Someone up top. You know, just to, just to at the very least calm things down,’” prosecutors wrote.
They added that when agents returned to questions about his motive, Cole explained that “something just snapped” after “watching everything, just everything getting worse.”
The suspect is seen walking outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters moments before placing one of two pipe bombs discovered near party offices in Washington, D.C. (FBI)
“The defendant wanted to do something ‘to the parties’ because ‘they were in charge,’” prosecutors wrote. “When asked why he placed the devices at the RNC and DNC, the defendant responded, ‘I really don’t like either party at this point.’”
Prosecutors said Cole also told investigators the idea to use pipe bombs stemmed from his interest in the historical conflict in Northern Ireland.
Cole’s attorneys are expected to argue against his detention at a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in federal court in Washington.
