Overview
- Cole, 30, made an initial appearance in D.C. federal court, did not enter a plea, and was ordered detained pending further proceedings.
- Prosecutors charged him with transporting an explosive device across state lines with intent to kill, injure, intimidate, or damage property, and with attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials.
- An unsealed affidavit details purchases of galvanized pipe, end caps, timers, wiring, batteries, and steel wool in 2019–2020, historical cell-site records placing his phone near both sites, surveillance footage, and a license-plate reader hit.
- The devices were planted outside the RNC and DNC on Jan. 5, 2021, deemed viable and potentially lethal by the FBI, and discovered the next day during the Capitol turmoil.
- Officials say the probe is ongoing and motive is not established, while some outlets report a confession and election-fraud beliefs citing unnamed sources; DOJ and FBI leaders credit a renewed review of existing evidence for the breakthrough.