Conservative figures rally to halt remaining Jan. 6 pipe bomb prosecution
A group of right-wing activists and politicians are urging authorities to dismiss the sole active federal case stemming from the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, which charges Brian Cole Jr. with planting two pipe bombs.
The only ongoing federal prosecution linked to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol assault involves Brian Cole Jr., who is charged with planting two pipe bombs at the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters. Cole, who was arrested nearly five years after the devices were left, has entered a not-guilty plea and is scheduled for trial in February. Conservative commentators and lawmakers contend that the Trump administration framed Cole, suggesting the bombs were part of a "deep state" scheme to amplify the violence of Jan. 6.
They have publicly supported Cole in court and on social media, and former Jan. 6 participants have voiced backing online. The Justice Department pursued the case because the bombs were placed the night before the riot, meaning they were not covered by the president’s mass pardon of other rioters.
Why it matters
The push to drop the case highlights deep partisan divides over accountability for the Jan. 6 attack.
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