A federal judge in the United States has denied pre-trial release for Brian Cole, the 30-year-old man accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ruled on Friday that Cole poses a significant risk to public safety and that no conditions of release—such as home detention or GPS monitoring—would adequately mitigate that risk.

Details of the Alleged Plot

Prosecutors with the Department of Justice (DOJ) say Cole confessed to placing two pipe bombs only hours before a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Cole reportedly admitted that he hoped the bombs would detonate, saying he “hoped there would be news about it.” Judge Sharbaugh noted in his order that, had the bombs succeeded, the consequences could have been catastrophic, including:

• Serious property damage in central Washington, D.C.
• Harm or death to DNC or RNC staff and other bystanders
• Heightened fear and terror during a high-security Congressional proceeding

According to prosecutors, Cole told investigators that he believed it was necessary to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election, won by Joe Biden, was stolen. Cole targeted the political parties because, in his view, they were “in charge.”

Legal Background and Charges

Cole faces multiple charges, with potential sentences of up to 10 years on one count and up to 20 years on a second count, including a five-year mandatory minimum. The FBI says Cole continued purchasing bomb-making components months after the January 6 riot. He admitted to planting the devices because “something just snapped,” according to prosecutors.

Cole’s lawyers argued for home detention, citing his autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, a stable home environment in Woodbridge, Virginia, and no prior criminal record. They contended that Cole “simply does not pose a danger to the community,” citing his four years of living at home without incident.

Judge’s Ruling

Judge Sharbaugh emphasized that Cole’s actions were impulsive and abrupt, presenting a high risk of recurrence. The judge concluded that releasing Cole would endanger the public and undermine the seriousness of the offenses.

Broader Context

The case ties into the wider aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riot, during which Trump and his allies falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen. Although Trump was indicted for his role in inciting the riot, the case was dropped after his 2024 election victory, in line with longstanding Department of Justice policy not to prosecute sitting presidents.

Trump subsequently pardoned more than 1,500 rioters, including individuals convicted of violent offenses during the Capitol attack. Cole’s case remains an example of how individuals acted on election-related conspiracy theories, with serious legal consequences.