The bomb did not explode, but was discovered the next day, just before supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol.
January 6th: Pipe bomb suspect arrested in Washington, DC
The suspect who planted pipe bombs near the DNC and RNC offices before the January 6 Capitol riot is now in custody.
WASHINGTON – A man accused of setting off pipe bombs in Washington the night before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol pleaded not guilty Friday to two explosives-related charges.
Brian Cole, 30, is accused of leaving two explosive devices outside the Democratic-Republican National Committee headquarters on the night of January 5, 2021.
Cole, wearing a tan prison jumpsuit, made his own plea during a brief hearing in Washington federal court.
The bomb, which did not explode, was discovered the next day, shortly before supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the nearby Capitol Building in a failed attempt to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election.
Cole is charged with two counts of interstate transportation of explosives and malicious attempt to use explosives.
The judge found evidence that Cole posed a danger to public safety and ordered him held in custody pending trial.
FBI agents struggled for nearly five years to identify the suspect. Cole was arrested and indicted last month following a new review of evidence ordered by top FBI officials appointed by President Trump.
Prosecutors said Cole made a detailed confession in an interview with FBI agents after his arrest. He expressed dissatisfaction with both political parties and echoed Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent, according to court filings.
In an FBI interview, Mr. Cole denied that the bomb planting was connected to the Congressional election certification and the events of the next day.
