Brian Cole Jr., suspect in D.C. pipe bomb case, ordered detained after first court appearance

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

December 5, 2025 / 1:49 PM EST


Washington — The man suspected of planting pipe bombs outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021, was ordered detained in his first appearance in federal court.

The suspect, 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr., was arrested Thursday in Virginia and appeared at an initial hearing Friday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He faces two charges related to a pair of explosive devices that were left outside the parties' headquarters on the night before the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Cole appeared at Friday's hearing wearing a khaki-green short-sleeve jumpsuit. He was represented by a private attorney, John Shoreman. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya presided over the hearing and read the two charges: attempted malicious destruction by fire and explosives, and transporting an explosive device across state lines. Cole did not enter a plea.

Six family members were in the courtroom, and said "I love you" as Cole exited. Shoreman, on behalf of the family, declined to comment. Cole's next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brian-cole-jr-dc-pipe-bomb-case-plea/

[moniss]

1. I've been absent but I haven't seen

much reporting for any background on this guy.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Probably because

this is not what they expected (and they are trying to retrofit an explanation and talking points).

[moniss]

6. Usually by now somebody has dug into

social media, friends etc. but we're seeing none of that so far as I've seen. Look at how quick they all had stuff on the sandwich guy.

[jaymac]

2. pardon

if trump pardoned all J6 ers. does that mean this guy gets a pardon too? just asking

[IronLionZion]

4. Trump support is proof of mental illness

Targeting the headquarters of political parties is proof of no political agenda

The man suspected of planting pipe bombs outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021, is believed to be a supporter of President Trump and has been speaking with investigators, multiple sources told CBS News.

[ToxMarz]

5. The problem is that A.) he is clearly a trump supporter B.) he clearly has interest in anarchist ideas

and C.) he is anti-social.

Apparently the media has conclusively determined he could only be motived by A.) his support for Tump or B.) his being an antisocial anarchist. Never the twain shall meet. They haven't nailed down which one, and they may never reach a definitive conclusion, it may forever remain a mystery locked away in Mr Coles mind.

[John1956PA]

7. There is a possibility that he was played by a J6 conspirator.

Cole chatted on a website frequented by disenfranchised young males, incels and the like. An agent provocateur of Putin or the right wing may have talked him into making the pipe bombs and planting then on the night of January 5. Even if one bomb had gone off on the morning of January 6, police would have made a mass response, thereby weakening security at the Capitol. Of course, if that scenario is true, it will be covered up.