Accused DC pipe bomber told FBI he believed the 2020 election was stolen, sources say

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

Updated Dec 5, 2025, 9:42 AM ET
PUBLISHED Dec 5, 2025, 9:31 AM ET


During interviews with the FBI, the suspect arrested in the pipe bomb probe told investigators that he believed the 2020 election was stolen, providing perhaps the first indication of a possible motive for the bombs placed near the DNC and RNC headquarters, people briefed on the matter said.

The FBI arrested Brian Cole, 30, on Thursday on charges that he planted pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters the night before the 2021 US Capitol riot.

Cole spent hours with FBI investigators and made multiple statements, the sources said. Dan Bongino, deputy FBI director, told Fox News on Thursday that the FBI had interviewed the suspect at length, but didn't elaborate. The FBI and the Justice Department declined to comment for this story.

The bureau believes the man compiled bomb-making supplies for months before leaving the viable explosive devices outside of the political offices. Cole is charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and attempted malicious destruction by means of fire and explosive materials. He is expected to appear in court Friday afternoon and has not yet entered a plea.


This story is developing and will be updated.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/politics/accused-pipe-bomber-made-statements

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Article updated.

Original article -

PUBLISHED Dec 5, 2025, 9:31 AM ET


During interviews with the FBI, the suspect arrested in the pipe bomb probe told investigators that he believed the 2020 election was stolen, providing perhaps the first indication of a possible motive for the bombs placed near the DNC and RNC headquarters, people briefed on the matter said.

The FBI arrested Brian Cole, 30, on Thursday on charges that he planted pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters the night before the 2021 US Capitol riot. The FBI declined to comment.

The bureau believes the man compiled bomb-making supplies for months before leaving the viable explosive devices outside of the political offices.

Cole is expected to appear in court Friday afternoon. He has not yet entered a plea.


This story is developing and will be updated.

[mercuryblues]

1. There you have it.

Another man loses his freedom for little Donnie 2 scoops.

How long before Trump pardons him? His best defense would be saying he was already pardoned when Trump issued the pardon for all the insurrectionist that day.

[travelingthrulife]

3. Wait. The FBI director is still scratching 'Antifa rising' on the bomb canisters.

[rampartd]

6. he has a case based on the blanket pardon

[onenote]

7. The blanket pardon doesn't cover him.

The blanket pardon is specific: it applies to individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021;

That doesn't mean he won't seek and/or get a pardon. But the "blanket" pardon doesn't cover him.

[rampartd]

8. we shall see.

[mercuryblues]

14. He'd better hope so.

He doesn't have enough money to buy one.

[rogue emissary]

13. Well that just means he'll be pardoned. Especially if his family donates to Felon34.

[gab13by13]

2. Well then, if Krasnov is consistent,

he should pardon him, or give him a position in his cabinet, maybe replace (deer in the headlights) Kash Patel?

[rampartd]

4. angling for a pardon?

or just stating the obvious.

who did they think they would find planting the bombs? antifa? obama?

[bucolic_frolic]

5. That's not much of an explanation.

Gold-plated MAGA Patriot Pardon territory ...

from the looks of his home, perhaps he slipped out the back door and walked through the woods.

No comment? Downplaying the event?

Any accomplices? Just rogue?

[ruet]

9. "providing perhaps the first indication of a possible motive"

[DrFunkenstein]

10. What Comes First: Evidence of the Steal or Infrastructure Week?

Or maybe Mexico paying for the wall?

MAGA has the patience of a saint.

PS - The Epstein deadline is looming. Anyone want to take bets on how that one goes down?

[EuterpeThelo]

11. I'm rather surprised

they haven't tried to charge MTG with this as revenge for her sudden "change of heart" (one has to actually HAVE a heart in order for it to change, but that's a topic for another day).

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Wait A Minute

I thought we were told at the time that the bombs were fabricated so poorly that they wouldn't have actually gone off.
Now they're viable devices?
That seems odd.

[eppur_se_muova]

15. So ... Trmp was an accessory before the fact ?? nt

An accessory before-the-fact is a person who aids and abets, or encourages another to commit a crime but who is not present at the scene. An accessory before the fact, like an accomplice may be held criminally liable to the same extent as the principal. Many jurisdictions refer to an accessory before the fact as an accomplice.

See: Evans v. State, 145 So. 3d 674 (Miss. 2014); accessory

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/accessory_before_the_fact

[RedWhiteBlueIsRacist]

16. Brian Cole, his legal argument for election theft amounts to "Cole slaw" whipped up on the internet with Maga nuts.

He's a fucking stooge.