DC bombing suspect targeted both sides of election campaign, DOJ says

Prosecutors said Sunday the man accused of planting bombs in Washington, DC, on January 5, 2021, told investigators he felt compelled to “talk” about people who believe the 2020 election was rigged and said he targeted two major political parties because they ran the political agenda.

Prosecutors detailed the allegations in a memo to the Justice Department, saying Brian J. Cole Jr., who was arrested earlier this month, should remain in custody as the case moves forward.

Cole was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, after investigators identified him as the suspect accused of planting pipe bombs near the Capitol building and outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters, marking the first major break in a years-long case.

Sunday’s memo provides the government’s most detailed account to date, including statements prosecutors say Cole made to investigators. It also cites evidence such as bomb-making equipment found in his home after his arrest, which officials say links him to the case.

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Unidentified improvised explosive devices were found on Jan. 6, although prosecutors say Cole denied that his actions were connected to the events at the Capitol that day.

Although he initially denied involvement, prosecutors said Cole later admitted to wiretapping outside the RNC and DNC.

Cole is said to have also said that he was disappointed with the outcome of the election and sympathized with the claims of President Donald Trump and some of his allies that it was stolen.

FBI RELEASES NEW SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF SUSPECT WHO PLACED PIPE BOMBS NEAR DNC, RNC OFFICES IN DC

The Department of Justice is releasing new photos of Brian J. Cole, who was arrested by the FBI on suspicion of involvement in the DC pipe bombing. (Department of Justice)

“In the defendant’s view, if people ‘feel that, you know, something as important as voting in a federal election is being tampered with, it’s, you know, being – you know, null and void brought down, then, like, somebody needs to speak up, right? Somebody up there. You know, just to, just to at least keep things quiet,'” prosecutors wrote.

They added that when the agents returned with questions about his motive, Cole explained that “something just shot” after “watching everything, everything gets worse.”

The suspect is seen walking outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee before setting off one of two pipe bombs found near the party’s offices in Washington, DC. (FBI)

“The defendant wanted to do something to the ‘groups’ because they were ‘in charge,'” prosecutors wrote. “When asked why he put resources on the RNC and DNC, the defendant replied, ‘I don’t like either party right now.’

Prosecutors said Cole also told investigators that the idea to use pipe bombs stemmed from his interest in the historical conflict in Northern Ireland.

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Cole’s attorneys are expected to challenge his arrest at a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in federal court in Washington.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.