Federal prosecutors said Sunday that the man accused of planting pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., told investigators on Jan. 5, 2021, that he felt compelled to “stand up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen and that he targeted the two major political parties because they were in charge of the political system.
Prosecutors detailed the allegations in a memo filed with the Justice Department, saying Brian J. Cole Jr., who was arrested earlier this month, should remain in custody as the case progresses.
Cole was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, after investigators identified him as the suspect accused of planting pipe bombs near the Capitol complex and outside the headquarters of the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee, marking the first major break in a case that had been cold for years.
Sunday’s memo provides the most detailed government account yet, including statements prosecutors say Cole made to investigators. It also cites evidence such as bomb-making materials recovered from his home after his arrest that officials say links him to the crime.
EVIDENCE AGAINST J6 PIPE BOMB EXPECTED HAS BEEN THERE FOR YEARS, DOJ SAYS
Unexploded homemade bombs were discovered on Jan. 6, although prosecutors said Cole denied his actions were related to the events at the Capitol that day.
Although he initially denied his involvement, prosecutors allege that Cole later confessed to planting the devices outside the RNC and DNC.
Cole also reportedly said he was disillusioned with the election results and sympathized with claims by President Donald Trump and some allies that the election results were stolen.
FBI RELEASES NEW SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF SUSPECT PLACING PIPE BOMBS NEAR DNC, RNC OFFICES IN DC
The Department of Justice releases new photos of Brian J. Cole, who was arrested by the FBI for alleged involvement in the DC pipe bomb incident. (Ministry of Justice)
“According to the defendant, if people ‘feel that something as important as voting in the federal election is being tampered with, demoted to nullity, then someone has to speak out, right? Someone at the top. You know, just to at least calm things down,'” prosecutors wrote.
They added that when officers pushed back on questions about his motive, Cole explained that “something just snapped” after he “watched everything, but everything just got worse.”
The suspect is seen walking outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters moments before planting one of two pipe bombs discovered near party offices in Washington, D.C. (FBI)
“The defendant wanted to do something ‘with the parties’ because ‘they were in charge,’” prosecutors wrote. “When asked why he placed the devices at the RNC and DNC, the defendant responded, ‘I really don’t like either party at this point.’”
Prosecutors said Cole also told investigators that the idea to use pipe bombs stemmed from his interest in the historic conflict in Northern Ireland.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Cole’s lawyers are expected to argue against his detention during a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in federal court in Washington.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
#pipe #bomb #suspect #speak #stolen #election #claims