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Federal prosecutors said Sunday that the man accused of planting pipe bombs in Washington, D.C.on January 5, 2021, told investigators he felt compelled to “speak” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen and said he targeted the two major political parties because they were in charge of the political system.
Prosecutors detailed the allegations in a memo filed with the Justice Department, saying Brian J. Cole Jr., arrested earlier this month, should remain in custody as the case moves forward.
Cole was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginiaafter investigators identified him as the suspect accused of planting pipe bombs near the Capitol complex and outside the headquarters of the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee, marking the first major break in a case that has gone unsolved for years.
Sunday’s memo provides the most detailed government account yet, including statements prosecutors say Cole made to investigators. He also cites evidence such as bomb-making materials recovered from his home after his arrest, which authorities say link him to the crime.
EVIDENCE AGAINST PIPE BOMB SUSPECT J6 WAS JUST “SITTING THERE” FOR YEARS, DOJ SAYS
Washington pipe bomb suspect Brian J. Cole Jr. made his first court appearance on Friday, December 5, 2025. (Dana Verkouteren)
Unexploded pipe bombs were discovered on Jan. 6, although prosecutors said Cole denied his actions were related to events at the Capitol that day.
Although he initially denied any involvement, prosecutors allege Cole later confessed to place the devices outside the RNC and the DNC.
Cole also reportedly said he was disappointed by the election result and sympathetic to the president’s claims. Donald Trump and some allies that it had been stolen.
FBI releases new surveillance video of suspect who planted pipe bombs near DNC and RNC offices in DC
The Justice Department releases new photos of Brian J. Cole, who was arrested by the FBI for his alleged involvement in the pipe bomb incident in Washington. (Ministry of Justice)
“In the defendant’s view, if people feel like, you know, something as important as voting in the federal election is being tampered with, is, you know, is, you know, relegated null and void, then, like, someone has to speak up, right? Someone at the top. You know, just to, just to at least calm things down,” prosecutors wrote.
They added that when officers returned to questions about his motives, Cole explained that “something broke” after “looking at everything, everything was getting worse.”
The suspect is seen walking outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters moments before planting one of two pipe bombs discovered near the party’s offices in Washington, DC. (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 that the idea of using pipe bombs stemmed from his interest in historic conflict in Northern Ireland.
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Cole’s lawyers are expected to argue against his detention at a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in federal court in Washington.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
