Man Accused of Planting Pipe Bombs Near Capitol Before Jan. 6 Riot to Stay Detained Until Trial, Judge Rules

Table of Contents

Brian Cole Jr. is accused of planting two pipe bombs near the Capitol building on the night before the January 6, 2021, riot. The suspect, who has been identified nearly five years after the bombs were placed, will remain in custody prior to his trial, as ruled by a judge.

Cole, a resident of Virginia, was arrested on December 4, 2025, and charged with two counts related to the bombs. According to a press release from the Department of Justice, the bombs were discovered on January 6, 2021, but never detonated. That same day, a group of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election, which was won by Joe Biden.

Cole faces charges of transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of fire and explosive materials. He has not yet entered a plea. A federal judge ruled that he should remain in jail ahead of his trial, stating that there are no conditions of release that could reasonably assure the safety of the community.

"The government carried its ultimate burden to demonstrate that there are no conditions of release the Court could impose to reasonably assure the safety of the community," the judge wrote in a 19-page opinion. "Mr. Cole reportedly stated that he planted the devices — one of them underneath a public bench, no less — hoping they would detonate and that there would be news about it. Mercifully, that did not happen."

The judge continued: "But if the plan had succeeded, the results could have been devastating: creating a greater sense of terror on the eve of a high-security Congressional proceeding, causing serious property damage in the heart of Washington, D.C., grievously injuring DNC or RNC staff and other innocent bystanders, or worse."

Cole's case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the alleged offenses. The judge emphasized that the nature and circumstances of the charges point strongly toward pretrial detention.

According to previous reports, Cole lived with his parents and worked for a bail bond company before his arrest. He had no criminal history and had remained under the radar until his identification as a suspect. The case initially baffled investigators, but a criminal complaint obtained by a news outlet revealed that Cole was identified in part due to his cell phone location being traced to the area where the bombs were found.

Prosecutors allege that Cole confessed to planting the bombs following his arrest. Surveillance footage that circulated after the discovery of the bombs showed a suspect wearing a hoodie, gloves, and a face mask. The FBI previously revealed that the suspect used backpacks to carry the explosives. The bombs were placed within 30 minutes of each other.

Cole’s actions, if proven true, represent a serious threat to public safety and national security. His alleged plan to detonate the bombs on the eve of a critical Congressional proceeding highlights the potential consequences of such acts. The judge’s ruling underscores the gravity of the situation and the need to ensure the safety of the community.

As the trial approaches, more details about Cole’s motives and the full extent of his alleged involvement are expected to come to light. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to address threats to democratic institutions and public safety.