DOJ Says Alleged DNC–RNC Pipe Bomber Not Covered by Trump Jan. 6 Pardons
The Justice Department has asked a federal court to reject an effort by Brian Cole Jr., the man accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021, to have his charges dismissed under President Donald Trump’s broad Jan. 6 pardons. In a filing Friday, prosecutors argue Trump’s 2025 clemency proclamation applies only to people who had already been convicted of, or indicted for, offenses related to events at or near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 itself—conditions Cole did not meet because he was unidentified and uncharged at the time and the alleged bomb-planting occurred the night before. DOJ cites Cole’s own FBI interview, in which he allegedly said he traveled to Washington to plant the devices, disliked both parties, and explicitly denied that his actions were directed at Congress or related to the Jan. 6 certification proceedings. Cole, who was charged last year with interstate transportation of explosives and malicious attempt to use explosives, contends the pardon’s "related to" language should cover his conduct because it was tied to the same election controversy that fueled the riot. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali has not yet set a hearing on Cole’s motion, and legal commentators online are already parsing how far courts will let DOJ go in narrowing a sweeping, politically charged pardon order that was never clearly tested in court.
📌 Key Facts
- Defendant: Brian Cole Jr. is charged with interstate transportation of explosives and malicious attempt to use explosives for allegedly planting pipe bombs outside the DNC and RNC on Jan. 5, 2021.
- DOJ position: Prosecutors say Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons only cover individuals who, as of Jan. 20, 2025, had been convicted of or indicted for offenses related to events at or near the Capitol on Jan. 6, which did not include Cole.
- Defendant’s interview: According to DOJ, Cole told the FBI he traveled to D.C. to plant the bombs, disliked both parties, and denied that his actions were aimed at Congress or related to the Jan. 6 proceedings.
📊 Relevant Data
Over 92% of the 716 individuals prosecuted for January 6 Capitol riot-related offenses as of July 2023 were White, compared to approximately 58% of the U.S. population being non-Hispanic White in 2023.
A Demographic and Legal Profile of January 6 Prosecutions — Seton Hall University School of Law
Counties with the most significant declines in the non-Hispanic White population were more likely to be home to individuals who participated in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, with White population decline serving as a stronger predictor of involvement in such events than other factors like ideology or geography.
Fears of White People Losing Out Permeate Capitol Rioters’ Towns, Study Finds — The New York Times
Approximately 86% of individuals arrested or charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot were male, with ages ranging from 18 to 81 and a significant portion (around 40%) in their 30s and 40s.
Studies Show Capitol Rioters Were Majority White Men — PBS Amanpour & Co.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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