Trending Now - Pipe Bomb Suspect Claims Trump's Jan. 6 Pardons Apply to Him
WHO:
Brian Cole Jr., 30 years old, from Woodbridge, Virginia, diagnosed with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, presiding over Cole's case.
Brian Cole Jr., accused of planting pipe bombs
President Donald Trump, issued pardons related to January 6, 2021
FBI, involved in the investigation and arrest of Cole
U.S. Department of Justice, referenced in the context of pardons and charges
WHAT:
Cole's attorneys filed a 23-page motion to dismiss the charges against him, arguing that the pardon applies to him based on the "ordinary and plain meaning of the Pardon's language."
Cole's legal team stated, "The Pardon—like it or not—applies to Mr. Cole, based on the ordinary and plain meaning of the Pardon's language as applied to the relevant facts in this case."
Cole's attorneys compared his case to that of Kenneth Harrelson and David Dempsey, noting that both received pardons despite serious charges.
Cole's attorneys stated in their filing, "The President’s Pardon unequivocally applies to Mr. Cole, because in no manner is Mr. Cole’s alleged conduct wholly independent of events at the Capitol on January 6."
Cole's legal team argued that he traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend a 2020 election-related protest, linking him to the same political controversy that motivated the January 6 crowd.
The motion to dismiss was reported by Politico as the latest test of the applicability of the January 6 pardons.
Cole filed a motion to dismiss charges against him, claiming he is covered by Trump's pardons
Cole is charged with interstate transportation of explosives and malicious attempt to use explosives
The bombs were planted outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters
The bombs did not detonate but were described as viable by the FBI
Cole pleaded not guilty to the charges
Approximately 1,500 individuals received pardons related to January 6, 2021, events
WHERE:
Washington, D.C., where the pipe bombs were planted
Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters, specific locations of the bomb placements
WHEN:
Cole was arrested on December 4th, 2025, and charged with transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials.
The motion to dismiss was filed on March 16th, 2026.
Cole's motion to dismiss was reported on March 16, 2026, by Politico.
Trump issued the pardons on January 20, 2025, his first day in office.
Cole's motion to dismiss was filed on March 16, 2026.
The bombs were planted on January 5, 2021
The January 6, 2021, Capitol riot occurred the day after the bombs were planted
Cole was arrested in December 2025
Cole's motion to dismiss was filed on March 16, 2026
WHY:
Cole's attorneys argue that he was motivated by grievances about the 2020 presidential election, stating that his actions were "directed at the headquarters of the two national political parties on Capitol Hill."
Cole's attorneys argue that the government's narrative links his actions to the events of January 6, stating, "By the government’s own telling, this is exactly the kind of case that President Trump's January 20, 2025 Presidential Pardon was invoked to reach."
Cole's lawyers argue that the phrase "related to" in the pardon could apply to offenses that did not occur on January 6, 2021, as long as they are linked to the events of that day.
Cole's attorneys argue that his actions are "inextricably and demonstrably tethered" to the events of January 6, 2021
Cole believed the 2020 election was stolen, which motivated his actions
HOW:
The FBI linked Cole's phone data to cell towers around Capitol Hill, corroborating his movements on the night of the bomb placements.
Cole's legal team claims that the Justice Department's own framing of the case has linked his alleged conduct on January 5, 2021, to the events of January 6, 2021, stating, "That is not happenstance sequencing in time. It is the government’s theory of Mr. Cole’s alleged motive and context."
Cole allegedly compiled bomb-making supplies for months before planting the devices
Cole's phone data linked him to cell towers around Capitol Hill, corroborating his movements on the night of the bomb placements
The motion to dismiss argues that the language of the pardon applies to offenses related to January 6, 2021, even if they occurred on January 5, 2021
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 21:10 UTC)
In a significant legal development, Brian Cole Jr., a 30-year-old from Woodbridge, Virginia, has had his attorneys file a motion to dismiss charges against him, claiming that a pardon applies based on its "ordinary and plain meaning." Cole, who was arrested on December 4, 2025, for transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction, is being represented by a legal team that argues his actions were motivated by grievances regarding the 2020 presidential election. The motion was filed on March 16, 2026, and the FBI has linked Cole's phone data to cell towers around Capitol Hill, supporting the timeline of his movements during the incident.
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(UPDATED March 17, 2026 17:21 UTC)
In a significant legal development, Cole's motion to dismiss was reported by Politico yesterday, with his attorneys arguing that the government's narrative connects his actions to the January 6 events, suggesting that President Trump's pardon on January 20, 2025, was intended for cases like his. They contend that the Justice Department's framing of the case links Cole's alleged conduct on January 5, 2021, directly to the following day's events, emphasizing that this is not mere coincidence but rather a critical part of the government's theory regarding his motive. As the legal proceedings unfold, Cole's defense is firmly challenging the government's claims and the context surrounding the charges against him.
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(UPDATED March 17, 2026 05:25 UTC)
Cole's legal team filed a motion to dismiss on March 16, arguing that President Trump's pardon applies to him because his alleged conduct is connected to the events at the Capitol on January 6. They contend that Cole traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend a protest related to the 2020 election, linking him to the same political controversy that inspired the January 6 crowd. This motion represents the latest test of how broadly the January 6 pardons can be interpreted, particularly regarding the phrase "related to" in the context of offenses not directly occurring on that day.
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(UPDATED March 17, 2026 03:48 UTC)
In a significant development, Brian Cole Jr. has filed a motion to dismiss charges against him, claiming he is covered by pardons issued by Trump related to the January 6, 2021 events. Cole is facing serious charges for allegedly planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021, although the devices did not detonate and were deemed viable by the FBI. His attorneys argue that his actions are closely tied to the Capitol riot and that the language of the pardon should apply to offenses connected to that day, even if they occurred a day earlier.