MPD Chief of Police Pamela Smith and U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan attend a news conference at the Department of Justice on Thursday, December 4, 2025, announcing the arrest of Brian Cole Jr., who allegedly placed pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee offices on January 6, 2021.
Tom Williams | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Accused pipe bomb planter Brian Cole Jr. confessed his crimes to the FBI, and told agents he supported President Donald Trump and held anarchist views, MS NOW reported Friday.
Cole, 30, was arrested Thursday morning at his family’s home in Woodbridge, Virginia, nearly five years after he allegedly placed explosive devices outside Republican and Democratic party offices in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
While in custody, Cole confessed to planting the pipe bombs, which did not detonate, two sources familiar with his interview with the FBI told MS NOW.
John Shoreman, Cole’s defense attorney, did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on the reporting.
A suspect in the planting of explosive devices near the Democratic and Republican committee headquarters in Washington is seen in this still frame taken from video released on March 9, 2021.
FBI | Via Reuters
During his initial court appearance on Friday afternoon, the government told Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya that Cole spoke to the authorities for “more than four hours” the previous day, NBC News reported.
Federal authorities have yet to publicly disclose what motive Cole might have had to allegedly plant the bombs.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, asked at a press briefing Thursday what motivations Cole may have possessed, said the investigation is ongoing.
Cole is currently charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce with intent to kill, injure or intimidate or unlawfully destroy property.
He is also charged with “malicious destruction or attempted malicious destruction by means of fire and explosive materials.”
“I believe there are more charges to come,” Bondi said Friday morning on Fox News.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
