DC pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole questioned outcome of 2020 election: report

The suspect charged with planting pipe bombs outside the Washington, DC headquarters of the RNC and DNC, Brian Cole Jr, told investigators after his arrest that he believed that the 2020 election was stolen. People briefed on the matter told CNN that Cole was with FBI investigators for hours and made multiple statements.

Cole made his first appearance in court on Friday afternoon, where a judge set a detention hearing for December 15. Cole has been charged with unlawful transportation of an explosive device in interstate commerce with the intent to kill, injure, or intimidate and malicious destruction or attempt of malicious destruction, and faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

The pipe bombs were placed outside the RNC and DNC headquarters in DC’s Capitol Hill neighborhood on the night of January 5, 2021, and weren’t discovered until January 6, 2021, when the certification of the 2020 election was taking place at the Capitol.

The bombs had been live, with the FBI previously saying that they were capable of hurting anyone who may have been near them if they had exploded. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris had come within 20 feet of the bomb that was located outside of the DNC.

The year leading up to the incident, authorities said that Cole had been purchasing supplies that could be used for bomb making, such as galvanized piping, end caps, wiring, and kitchen timers. Cole was taken into custody on Thursday morning at his family’s home in Woodbridge, Virginia. Investigators were seen taking items out of the home and searching for a car parked near the residence.

Per CNN, six family members of Cole came to the hearing, and were visibly emotional. After the hearing, they shouted, "We love you Brian. We’re here for you baby."