A Virginia man faces federal charges for allegedly planting pipe bombs at major political party headquarters in DC the day before the Capitol Riot.
WASHINGTON — A Woodbridge man who is accused of planting pipe bombs at both the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters and the Republican National Committee’s headquarters has been charged in a federal indictment, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Brian Cole Jr. allegedly traveled from his home in Northern Virginia to Downtown DC to deposit the homemade explosives on January 5, 2021 — one day before the notorious Capitol Riot.
The federal indictment, which supersedes a prior federal indictment returned by a D.C. Superior Court grand jury, charges Cole with interstate transportation of explosives and with malicious attempt to use explosives.
“Given that Cole crossed state lines and targeted the political leadership of both parties, for which there is an inherent crime of federal jurisdiction, handling this in federal court is most proper,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “The FBI and my office worked around the clock to ensure that this defendant is charged with the right crimes for his dangerous acts.”
Federal investigators were foiled for years in their search for a suspect.
They finally caught up with Cole in December 2025.