US Man Confesses to Planting Pipe Bombs at Party Headquarters

Breakthrough in 2021 Pipe Bomb Investigation

In a significant development in one of the most perplexing unsolved cases related to the January 6th Capitol attack, 30-year-old Brian Cole has confessed to planting pipe bombs at both Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington D.C. on January 5, 2021. The confession comes nearly five years after the devices were discovered and represents a major breakthrough for federal investigators who had been searching for the perpetrator since the night before the Capitol riot.

'Something Just Snapped'

According to court documents obtained by multiple news outlets, Cole told FBI investigators during a 90-minute interview that 'something just snapped' in him after watching political events unfold following the 2020 presidential election. He expressed frustration with both major political parties, stating 'I really don't like either party at this point' and explaining that he targeted both headquarters because 'they were in charge' of what he perceived as a broken political system.

The pipe bombs, which were discovered on January 6, 2021, outside both party headquarters, contained black powder and metal fragments but failed to detonate. Law enforcement officials have stated that had they exploded, they could have caused significant damage and potential casualties. 'These were functional explosive devices that posed a serious threat to public safety,' said a Justice Department spokesperson in court filings.

Timing and Investigation

The placement of the bombs on the eve of the Capitol attack had raised questions about whether they were intended to distract law enforcement or were part of a coordinated effort. Cole denies any connection to the January 6th riot, claiming he chose nighttime placement specifically to avoid casualties. He told investigators he used kitchen timers set for 60 minutes as detonators, but the devices failed to explode.

The FBI's investigation spanned nearly five years, with agents reviewing surveillance footage, purchase records, and vehicle sightings. According to USA Today reporting, Cole learned bomb-making techniques from video games and YouTube videos, purchasing materials from hardware stores. His vehicle was spotted near both locations on the night of the bomb placements.

Political Context and Aftermath

The confession comes amid ongoing investigations and legal proceedings related to the January 6th attack. Former President Donald Trump had repeatedly claimed without evidence that the 2020 election was stolen, rhetoric that investigators say contributed to the climate that led to both the pipe bomb placements and the Capitol riot. The New York Times reported that this confession provides crucial information about security threats surrounding the Capitol attack.

Cole was arrested in December 2025 after the FBI revisited evidence collected earlier in the investigation. Prosecutors have requested he remain jailed without bond, arguing he poses 'an intolerable risk of danger' to the community. A detention hearing is scheduled to determine whether his pretrial detention will be extended.

In his confession, Cole expressed relief that the bombs didn't detonate, telling investigators 'I'm pretty relieved they didn't go off.' He faces multiple federal charges related to planting improvised explosive devices at both political party headquarters, with potential sentences that could amount to decades in prison if convicted.