DC pipe bomb suspect targeted both parties over election claims, DOJ says

The man accused of planting a pipe bomb in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2021, told investigators he felt compelled to “speak out” on behalf of 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, federal prosecutors said Sunday.

Prosecutors detailed the allegations in a memo submitted to the Justice Department, arguing that Brian J. Cole Jr., who was arrested earlier this month, should remain in custody as the case progresses.

Cole was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, after investigators identified him as the suspect accused of planting pipe bombs near the Capitol complex and outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters; This marked the first major break in a case that had gone cold for years.

Sunday’s memo is the most detailed government statement to date, including prosecutors’ statements Cole made to investigators. The report also includes evidence found in his home after his arrest, such as bomb-making materials that authorities said linked him to the crime.

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Undetonated homemade bombs were found on Jan. 6, but prosecutors said Cole denies his actions were connected to the events at the Capitol that day.

Although he initially denied involvement, prosecutors allege Cole later admitted to planting the devices outside the RNC and DNC.

Cole also allegedly said he was disappointed in the election results and sympathized with claims by President Donald Trump and some of his allies that they were stolen.

FBI PUBLISHED NEW SURVEILLANCE VIDEO ABOUT THE SUSPECT PLACING PIPE BOMBS NEAR DNC, RNC OFFICES IN DC

The Department of Justice has released new photos of Brian J. Cole, who was arrested by the FBI for his alleged involvement in the D.C. pipe bomb incident. (Ministry of Justice)

“In the defendant’s view, if people feel like something as important as voting in a federal election is being tampered with, you know, invalidated and invalidated, then someone has to speak up, right? Someone at the top. You know, just to at least calm things down,” prosecutors wrote.

Agents added that when he returned to questions about his motives, Cole explained that “after watching the whole thing, something broke, it just got worse.”

The suspect is seen walking in front of the Democratic National Committee headquarters just before planting one of two pipe bombs found near party offices in Washington, DC. (FBI)

“The defendant wanted to do something to the ‘parties’ because they were ‘responsible,'” prosecutors wrote. “When asked why he placed the devices at the RNC and DNC, the defendant responded, ‘I really don’t like either side at this point.'”

Cole also told investigators that the idea to use pipe bombs stemmed from his interest in the historic conflict in Northern Ireland, prosecutors said.

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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.