Federal prosecutors say a Virginia man has confessed to manufacturing and planting two pipe bombs near the headquarters of the Republican and Democrat national committees on the eve of Jan. 6, 2021, according to newly filed court documents.
The suspect, Brian J. Cole Jr., was arrested this month and is charged with transporting and attempting to use improvised explosive devices in downtown Washington, D.C.
"Following his December 4, 2025 arrest, the defendant waived his Miranda rights and gave a detailed confession to the charged offenses," the Sunday court filing read.
Prosecutors say surveillance footage, cellphone location data, and years of purchase records place Cole at both locations within minutes of one another Jan. 5, 2021.
The FBI later determined the devices were fully functional pipe bombs that failed to detonate and were not discovered until the following day.
According to the government, Cole waived his Miranda rights and gave a detailed, videotaped confession, admitting he built the bombs, transported them in his car, and set 60-minute timers before placing them outside the two party headquarters.
Investigators say Cole told them he targeted both parties because he was angry with political leaders on "both sides," adding that "something just snapped."
Prosecutors are seeking to keep him detained before trial, arguing he poses a continuing danger to the community.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.