In a bold move, the legal team representing Brian J. Cole Jr., who stands accused of planting explosive devices outside the Democratic and Republican National Committees in 2021, is advocating for his pardon under the sweeping clemency President Donald Trump extended to January 6 defendants.
Cole, from Woodbridge, Virginia, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges, which include the transportation and attempted use of explosives.
The Allegations Against Cole
The charges against Cole stem from the night of January 5, 2021, just hours before the U.S. Congress was set to certify Joe Biden’s election victory.
On this night, two pipe bombs were found outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican National Committees.
The discovery came just ahead of the infamous January 6 Capitol riot, when a mob stormed the building, seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
The prosecution claims that Cole admitted to building the bombs, traveling to Washington, D.C., and placing them in strategic locations, hoping for a detonation and widespread media attention.
They further allege that Cole targeted both political parties, believing they were responsible for the election he thought had been “stolen.”
Defense Strategy: Tying It to January 6
Defense attorney Mario Williams, who is representing Cole, believes that Trump’s January 6 pardon should apply to his client’s case.
Williams argues that because the devices were planted the night before January 6—an act he describes as part of the broader context of the Capitol events—Cole’s alleged crime falls under the scope of the pardon.
In an interview with Fox 5 DC, Williams made it clear he was serious about his legal approach, saying he plans to file this argument in court soon.
“I absolutely agree with it,” Williams said, expressing confidence in the connection between the January 6 pardon and his client’s actions.
He continued, explaining that the timeline of Cole’s alleged activities—coupled with the fact that the devices were discovered on January 6—supports his case for pardon eligibility.
A Defiant Argument Against the Government’s Evidence
As Cole’s legal team prepares their argument, Williams is also pushing back against the government’s portrayal of Cole’s actions, particularly the alleged “confession” that prosecutors have cited.
After prosecutors filed details of Cole’s supposed admissions, Williams demanded access to the evidence.
After reviewing the footage of Cole’s post-arrest interview, he raised concerns that the government had misrepresented the context of the statements.
“I believe the manner in which the government made those statements is incorrect, and in some instances, absolutely false,” Williams asserted, claiming that key details had been removed or distorted in the public filings.
Legal Challenges and the Fight for Freedom
Despite the ongoing legal fight, Cole remains in custody.
Earlier this month, a federal magistrate judge ruled that he should stay behind bars until trial, citing concerns that the defendant posed a potential danger to the public.
Judge Matthew Sharbaugh highlighted the potentially catastrophic consequences of the bombings, stressing how the failure of the devices to detonate had spared the Capitol from significant harm.
In court, Cole’s defense team has pushed for alternative detention options, such as home confinement with GPS monitoring.
They argue that Cole, who has no prior criminal history and suffers from autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, does not present a danger to society.
His legal team also emphasized his stable living conditions with his parents as a mitigating factor.
Prosecutors Highlight Ongoing Threat
Prosecutors, however, are not convinced. They point to the fact that Cole allegedly continued purchasing bomb-making components months after the January 6 events, underscoring what they describe as a pattern of behavior.
They also highlight statements Cole made to the FBI, in which he admitted that he planted the bombs because “something just snapped.”
The prosecution contends that this ongoing impulsive behavior makes Cole a continued threat, with the possibility that his actions could escalate if released from custody.
The judge in the case, Sharbaugh, expressed concerns about how quickly Cole’s actions could turn dangerous again.
The Potential Penalties for Cole
If convicted, Cole faces serious consequences.
He is charged with two counts related to the pipe bombs, and if found guilty, he could face up to 30 years in prison—10 years for one count and 20 for the other.
The longer sentence also carries a mandatory five-year minimum term.
What’s Next for Brian Cole Jr.?
As Cole’s legal team gears up for their argument to apply Trump’s January 6 pardon to his case, the outcome remains uncertain.
With the timeline of events and the nature of the charges hanging in the balance, it’s clear that this case will continue to unfold in the courts.
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