The man accused of placing two pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee offices on Jan. 5, 2021, told investigators he was “disappointed” in the results of the 2020 election, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said.
Authorities arrested 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. on Thursday after identifying him as the suspect following a yearslong investigation. He made his first court appearance Friday and did not enter a plea.
Pirro told ABC News Cole said he had gotten rid of the unusual shoes seen in CCTV images — a distinctive pair of Nike Air Max Turf sneakers that long had been a focus of investigators. “He told us that he had those sneakers and that he got rid of them after he placed the pipe bombs,” she said.
When asked whether Cole had given a full confession, Pirro declined to go further but said the combination of video, forensic evidence, items and receipts makes it clear the government can prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Investigators reviewed roughly 3 million pieces of data, and Pirro said it is “unmistakable” Cole is the suspect. She cited cellphone pings that matched the locations and times shown in video of the person walking where the devices were left.
Pirro confirmed Cole is speaking with authorities and that he expressed concerns about the 2020 election. “He was disappointed in various aspects of the election,” she said, adding it is “really isn’t clear” whether he supported President Donald Trump or former President Joe Biden. “This guy was an equal opportunity bomber,” Pirro said. “He put a bomb outside the Republican National Committee and the Democrat National Committee. He was disappointed to a great deal in the system, both sides of the system, and for me as a prosecutor, my job is to prove what his intent was in placing those pipe bombs, and what he intended to do, and what we can prove, and we can prove that.”
Pirro said investigators will continue executing search warrants and gathering information. She emphasized the public will see the facts and the evidence as the case moves forward.