Federal prosecutors revealed on Sunday that the individual accused of placing pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021, claimed he acted out of a desire to represent those who believed the 2020 election was fraudulent. He allegedly targeted the two main political parties, asserting they controlled the political system.

The allegations were outlined in a memorandum submitted to the Justice Department, where prosecutors argued that Brian J. Cole Jr., who was arrested earlier in the month, should remain in custody as proceedings continue.

Cole was apprehended in Woodbridge, Virginia, after authorities identified him as the person suspected of planting pipe bombs near the Capitol complex, including outside the headquarters of both the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee. This arrest marks a significant development in a case that had been stagnant for years.

The memo released on Sunday offers the most comprehensive government narrative so far, featuring statements that prosecutors claim Cole provided to investigators. It also references evidence like bomb-making materials found in his residence at the time of his arrest, which officials argue connect him to the crimes.

Brian J. Cole Jr., the suspect in the DC pipe bomb case, made his first appearance in court on Friday, December 5, 2025. (Dana Verkouteren)

Undetonated homemade bombs were discovered Jan. 6, though prosecutors said Cole denied his actions were connected to the events at the Capitol that day.

Although he initially denied involvement, prosecutors allege Cole later confessed to placing the devices outside the RNC and DNC.

Cole also allegedly said he was disillusioned by the election outcome and sympathetic to claims by President Donald Trump and some allies that it had been stolen.

The Department of Justice releases new photos of Brian J. Cole, who was arrested by the FBI for alleged involvement in the D.C. pipe bomb incident. (Department of Justice)

“In the defendant’s view, if people ‘feel that, you know, something as important as voting in the federal election is being tampered with, is being, you know, being – you know, relegated null and void, then, like, someone needs to speak up, right? Someone up top. You know, just to, just to at the very least calm things down,’” prosecutors wrote.

They added that when agents returned to questions about his motive, Cole explained that “something just snapped” after “watching everything, just everything getting worse.”

The suspect is seen walking outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters moments before placing one of two pipe bombs discovered near party offices in Washington, D.C. (FBI)

“The defendant wanted to do something ‘to 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 the idea to use pipe bombs stemmed from his interest in the historical conflict in Northern Ireland.

Cole’s attorneys are expected to argue against his detention at a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in federal court in Washington.