Overview
- Brian Cole Jr., 30, was indicted on counts including interstate transportation of explosives and attempted malicious destruction, with the filing arriving on the fifth anniversary of Jan. 6.
- Prosecutors allege he planted two devices near the DNC and RNC on Jan. 5, 2021; the explosives were found the next day and rendered safe by U.S. Capitol Police.
- Evidence outlined in filings includes video of a masked individual matching Cole’s build and clothing, cell-site records placing his phone near the scenes, a sighting of his Nissan Sentra, and purchases of matching components in 2019–2020.
- Court papers say Cole confessed after his December arrest, describing a political motive tied to 2020 election beliefs; he remains detained after a magistrate cited public-safety risk, with a hearing set for Friday.
- Reporting says Justice Department lawyers are concerned that President Trump’s broad Jan. 6 pardon could be argued to cover the case, and recent filings avoided explicit links to the Capitol events.