In a significant development, Brian J. Cole, Jr., a 30-year-old resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, was arrested this morning in connection with the transportation and placement of two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the headquarters of both the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on January 5, 2021. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Cole is facing serious charges in a complaint that was unsealed today. He has been charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce with the intent to kill, injure, or intimidate individuals, or unlawfully damage or destroy property. Additionally, he is charged with attempted malicious destruction using fire and explosive materials.
The announcement of Cole's arrest was made in collaboration with several high-profile law enforcement officials, including U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, Darren B. Cox, the FBI Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Pirro emphasized the importance of law enforcement in maintaining societal safety, stating, “The well-being of our society rests on our ability to safeguard our citizens. When bad actors intervene to disrupt that peace, we must track them down and hold them accountable.”
Attorney General Bondi noted the diligent police work that led to this arrest, stating, “Today’s arrest was the result of good, diligent police work and collaboration on a case that languished for four years under the prior administration. The American people are safer thanks to this morning’s successful operation.”
FBI Director Patel highlighted the investigation's priority status, saying, “The investigation into the pipe bombs in Washington, D.C. has been a high priority since Deputy Director Bongino and I assumed our roles nine months ago. Today’s arrest is the result of that outstanding work.”
The investigation into the pipe bombs has been ongoing and extensive. According to the complaint, during 2019 and 2020, Cole purchased various components needed to manufacture the two IEDs from multiple retailers in northern Virginia. On January 6, 2021, law enforcement agencies received reports of suspected IEDs near the RNC headquarters around 1 p.m., followed by a second report near the DNC headquarters approximately 15 minutes later. The Hazardous Devices Section of the United States Capitol Police successfully neutralized both devices, which contained a main explosive charge, a fuzing system, and a container.
Surveillance footage revealed that the same individual placed both devices on the evening of January 5, 2021. The suspect was seen wearing dark clothing, including dark pants and a grey hooded sweatshirt, and adjusting eyeglasses while carrying a backpack.
On January 5, 2021, at around 7:10 p.m., Cole’s Nissan Sentra was captured on a License Plate Reader near the South Capitol Street exit from I-395 South, which is less than half a mile from where the suspect was initially observed. Furthermore, records indicate that Cole's cell phone communicated with cell towers in the vicinity of the RNC and DNC during that evening, corroborating his presence at the scene.
This investigation has been a collaborative effort involving the FBI Washington Field Office, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
The arrest of Brian J. Cole, Jr. serves as a reminder of the commitment of law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety and bring those who threaten it to justice.