{"id":61503,"date":"2025-12-05T04:31:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T04:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/61503\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T04:31:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T04:31:12","slug":"accused-dc-pipe-bomber-brian-cole-jr-s-face-unmasked-for-first-time-after-arrest-in-resurfaced-photo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/61503\/","title":{"rendered":"Accused DC pipe-bomber Brian Cole Jr.’s face unmasked for first time after arrest in resurfaced photo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Accused DC pipe-bomber Brian Cole Jr.\u2019s face was revealed for the first time since he was busted for allegedly planting explosive devices<\/a> outside the Republican and Democratic National Committees ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot.<\/p>\n

Cole\u2019s mother shared the smiling picture of him in a blue dress shirt and tie on Instagram for National Son\u2019s Day in September 2024<\/a> \u2014 more than three years after the alleged attempted bombing.<\/p>\n

The Virginia native was busted Thursday morning after FBI investigators descended on his family\u2019s quiet Woodbridge home after the shocking case went cold under the Biden administration.<\/p>\n

DC pipe bombing suspect Brian Cole Jr. seen in a Sept. 28, 2024, on his mom\u2019s Instagram. <\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2019s arrest happened because the Trump administration has made this case a priority,\u201d US Attorney Pam Bondi told reporters at a press conference Thursday afternoon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She stressed that multiple law enforcement agencies spent months combing through evidence to identify a clear lead that allowed the operation to be carried out \u201csafely and successfully.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe total lack of movement in this case in our nation\u2019s capital undermined the public trust of our enforcement agencies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bondi added that the evidence the FBI used to track down Cole, 30, was \u201ccollecting dust\u201d and wholly disregarded by the Biden administration.\u00a0<\/p>\n

FBI Director Kash Patel, whose agency was at the forefront of the investigation, echoed Bondi\u2019s critiques and alleged that Biden-era officials \u201crefused and failed\u201d to act on the information they\u2019d gathered.<\/p>\n

Cole was allegedly seen on surveillance footage on Jan. 5, 2021, the night before the Capitol riot. FBI<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what a focused, disciplined Bureau delivers for the American people,\u201d Patel said.<\/p>\n

Cole\u00a0was charged with the use of an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials.\u00a0Bondi said that additional charges could be tacked on later in the investigation.<\/p>\n

The night before the 2020 electoral votes were certified, a man \u2014 now believed to be Cole \u2014 was seen stalking around Washington, DC, and\u00a0planting \u201cviable explosive devices\u201d<\/a>\u00a0outside the Republican and Democrats\u2019 respective headquarters.<\/p>\n

The devices were uncovered the following afternoon, right as Congress was finalizing the votes \u2013 and a swarm of Trump supporters were clambering into the US Capitol.\u00a0<\/p>\n

An explosive device is shown outside of the Republican National Committee offce on Jan. 6, 2021 \u2014 the day of the Capitol riot. AP<\/p>\n

Under the Biden administration, the FBI offered a $500,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.<\/p>\n

The Trump administration renewed the reward offer in early October alongside the release of\u00a0a new video<\/a>\u00a0showing the suspect walking around a residential DC neighborhood the same night the bombs were planted.<\/p>\n

Authorities alleged that Cole purchased items from several retailers around northern Virginia, including eight different Home Depots, a Micro Center, Lowes and Walmart. They believe he\u00a0started building the bombs in 2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The bombs themselves were in 8-inch galvanized steel pipes with the ends capped. They were rigged with nine-volt batteries and white kitchen items, feds claimed.<\/p>\n

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