Evidence against J6 pipe bomb suspect was just ‘sitting there’ for years, DOJ says
In a significant development in the investigation surrounding the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest of Brian Cole Jr., a suspect linked to the placement of pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol. This arrest comes nearly five years after the devices were discovered, a case that had drawn considerable attention and speculation, particularly from former President Donald Trump’s supporters. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that the breakthrough was not due to new evidence or tips but rather the diligent work of investigators who sifted through existing evidence that had been overlooked during the Biden administration. She expressed frustration over the lack of progress made during that time, stating, “What I will tell you is that evidence has been sitting there collecting dust.”
The investigation, which involved months of painstaking analysis, ultimately led to Cole’s identification through bank records indicating purchases of materials used to create the bombs, alongside cell phone tower data. The explosives were described as “viable,” and their discovery was serendipitous, occurring when a woman found one of the devices while doing laundry. The FBI had released surveillance footage showing an unidentified individual planting the bombs, which were positioned strategically near the Republican and Democratic National Committees’ headquarters, raising alarm about the potential for catastrophic consequences had they detonated. Despite the arrest, the DOJ has yet to disclose Cole’s motive, as the investigation remains in its early stages.
Critics of the Biden administration, including FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, have suggested that the investigation was hampered by a diversion of resources shortly after the incident, leading to a lack of credible leads. Bongino, who has been vocal about the case, asserted that the FBI was “closing in” on suspects and reaffirmed the commitment to bringing the perpetrator to justice. The arrest of Cole has reignited discussions about the security lapses that allowed such a dangerous situation to develop during a time of heightened political tension, particularly as it coincided with the Capitol riots. As the case unfolds, it continues to raise questions about the effectiveness of the investigations conducted during differing administrations and the implications for national security.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLWKu7M8K4U
Department of Justice
leaders criticized the Biden administration for failing to achieve what they accomplished on Thursday by arresting a suspect after pipe bombs were found near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said during a press conference announcing the arrest of Brian Cole Jr. that existing evidence led to the FBI’s breakthrough in a cold case that had “languished” for nearly five years.
“What I will tell you is that evidence has been sitting there collecting dust,” Bondi said. “This wasn’t a new tip. It wasn’t some new evidence. It was the hard work of President Trump’s administration.”
Bondi said federal investigators were able to identify Cole after spending months “sifting through evidence that had been sitting at the FBI with the Biden administration.” She said bringing charges against Cole was not a result of any new witnesses or leads but rather “good, diligent police work and prosecutorial work.”
FBI ARRESTS SUSPECT IN DC PIPE BOMB CASE AFTER 5-YEAR INVESTIGATION
Court papers unsealed Thursday revealed that bank records showing purchases of pipe bomb material and cell phone tower data were used to identify Cole. The suspect is now in custody facing charges of using explosives, with more charges possible, and he is expected to make his first court appearance Friday.
Surveillance footage released by the
FBI
showed an unidentified suspect in a hoodie planting two explosive devices near the Republican and Democratic National Committees’ headquarters on the night of Jan. 5, 2021.
Authorities said the devices were “viable” and could have detonated. The first one was discovered by a woman in an alleyway doing her laundry, investigative reports said. She immediately reported her finding to the police, prompting a search that led to the discovery of the second bomb, the reports said.
A
congressional report
revealed that the FBI during the Biden administration began “diverting resources” away from the investigation at the end of February 2021, after less than two months.
“In the immediate aftermath of January 6, the FBI’s case team worked aggressively to cultivate and pursue leads toward apprehending the pipe bomb suspect,” the report stated, adding the inquiry might have fizzled because of a lack of credible leads.
The yearslong mystery left many in Trump’s base raising questions and theories about the case. Speculation centered on the discovery of the bombs timed up with the riot on Jan. 6 and the security failures that allowed top politicians, including Vice President Kamala Harris, to unwittingly come into proximity with the explosives.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino was among the top voices promoting the theory, before he joined the bureau, that the Biden administration was hiding evidence about the case and that planting the bombs was an “inside job.” DOJ leaders have given no information on the suspect’s motive and said the investigation is in an early stage.
FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR CLAIMS BUREAU ‘CLOSING IN’ ON SUSPECTS WHO PLANTED JAN. 6 PIPE BOMBS
At a news conference, Bongino said he made the pipe bomb case a top priority after he told
Fox News
in May the bureau was “closing in” on suspects.
“I spoke with Ms. Bondi very early, maybe day two, and I said, ‘We’re going to get this guy.’ She said, ‘Yes, you are.’ And we did,” Bongino said Thursday.
“You’re not going to walk into our capital city, put down two explosive devices and walk off in the sunset. Not going to happen,” Bongino said. “There was no way he was getting away.”
