Brian Cole Jr., a 30-year-old resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, is facing explosives charges after a confession regarding the placement of pipe bombs outside the national party headquarters the day before the January 6 Capitol riot. During interviews with investigators, sources report that Cole voiced his opinions about the 2020 election being stolen, aligning his motivations closely with those of extremist supporters of then-President Donald Trump. Following his arrest, Cole has been cooperative with federal authorities, leading to questions surrounding his potential connections to the violence that unfolded the following day.

The FBI has not officially released any statements on whether Cole's actions had direct ties to the Capitol attack, which complicates the narrative of the insurgency that unfolded in Washington. Cole is expected to appear in court as the investigation progresses, amidst growing concerns regarding the implications of the bomb threats posed to national security. His arrest marks a notable turning point in a case that has remained unresolved for nearly five years.