The suspect accused of placing two pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) the night before the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol made his initial court appearance on Friday. Brian Cole Jr., a resident of Virginia, was arrested by federal authorities on Thursday, following a comprehensive investigation that had puzzled law enforcement for nearly five years.
As Cole entered the courtroom, members of his family, seated in the gallery, could be heard gasping and breaking down in tears. Cole took his seat next to his attorney, John Shoreman, and throughout the hearing, his arms and legs visibly shook, reflecting the tension of the moment. The judge detailed the charges against him, which could lead to a maximum sentence of up to 30 years if convicted. Notably, Cole did not enter a plea during this initial appearance.
During the hearing, government attorneys revealed that Cole participated in a four-hour interview with the FBI following his arrest. They indicated that a transcript of this interview would be provided to Cole's legal team over the weekend. According to law enforcement sources cited by ABC News, Cole confessed to investigators that he was responsible for planting the bombs. However, a clear motive has yet to be officially determined.
Sources suggest that during his interviews, Cole expressed beliefs that there were irregularities in the 2020 election. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, informed ABC News' Pierre Thomas that Cole conveyed his disappointment regarding various facets of the election process. This information may provide insight into his motivations, although the investigation continues.
During the court proceedings, the government's counsel announced intentions to seek Cole's continued detention until the trial, citing the serious nature of the charges he faces. The judge has scheduled a detention hearing for December 15, where the court will further assess Cole's status pending trial.
As Cole exited the courtroom, emotional family members rose to their feet, expressing their support with shouts of "We love you, Brian!" and "We're here for you, baby!" Despite the emotional turmoil, both Cole's family and his attorney opted not to comment to the press following the conclusion of the hearing.