Brian Cole Jr., the man charged with planting pipe bombs in Washington, DC the night before the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot, has confessed to federal authorities that he assembled and placed two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), according to a recent court filing.

The 30-year-old suspect admitted to planting the explosives outside the national headquarters of the Republican and Democratic parties, prosecutors reported on Sunday. While he has not yet entered a plea, Cole described his actions as a response to personal frustrations rather than political motivations related to Congress certifying the 2020 election results.

Confession and Motivations

Cole told federal agents that “something just snapped” in him after observing what he described as societal decline. He emphasized that his actions were intended to give a voice to people who felt their concerns about federal election integrity were being ignored.

In the filing, Cole expressed frustration with “people up top,” including public figures across both parties, criticizing them for dismissing grievances as conspiracies or labeling concerned citizens as “bad people, Nazis, or fascists.” Despite these claims, prosecutors noted that Cole had never been politically active prior to the events.

Arrest and Investigation

Cole was arrested on 4 December and charged with use of an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction via explosive materials, following a five-year investigation initially described as “cold” by the Trump administration.

Authorities discovered the bombs, which never detonated, near the party headquarters amid the chaotic demonstrations aimed at halting Congress’s certification of the 2020 election results. However, investigators initially found no direct connection between the devices and the protests, leaving Cole’s motive unclear.

Details of the Bombs

According to prosecutors, Cole initially denied involvement during interrogation. After hours of questioning, he admitted responsibility, stating, “yes, I was behind the bombs.” He explained that he targeted the party headquarters because he “really doesn’t like either party” and drew inspiration from historical conflicts, notably The Troubles in Ireland.

Cole reportedly purchased bomb-making materials over several months and learned assembly methods from YouTube videos and video games. He did not test the devices prior to placement and expressed relief that they did not detonate, stating he “didn’t want to kill people.” Prosecutors emphasized that the dangerous nature of his crimes remains severe, despite the bombs failing to explode.

Overwhelming Evidence

Prosecutors claim to have “overwhelming evidence” of Cole’s guilt, including:

• Credit card records of bomb component purchases
• Bomb-making materials found in his home
• Nearly a thousand wiped files from his personal cellphone over five years

The court filing stresses that while no injuries occurred, Cole’s actions were highly dangerous and posed a significant threat to public safety.

Next Steps

Cole has not entered a plea, and his lawyer has not commented publicly. The case continues to unfold as federal authorities prepare for trial.