Capitol pipe bomb suspect appears in Court

Brian Cole Jr., the Virginia man charged with planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic national headquarters during the January 2021 Capitol unrest, made his first federal court appearance in Washington on Friday as emotional family members shouted messages of support from the gallery.

Prosecutors said Cole, 30, had spoken with investigators for more than four hours the day before, with a transcript to be handed to his attorney. Wearing a tan jumpsuit and glasses, Cole confirmed he understood the charges, which include transporting an explosive device across state lines and attempting to destroy property with explosives. Authorities say he purchased bomb components in 2019 and 2020, and FBI footage allegedly shows him placing the devices, which were deemed capable of causing serious harm.

Cole will remain in custody ahead of a Dec. 15 detention hearing. FBI Director Kash Patel criticised the Biden administration’s handling of the long-running investigation, saying the case should have been resolved years earlier.