In a dramatic court appearance marked by his family’s vocal support, Brian Cole Jr., the Virginia resident accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., in January 2021, faced a federal judge for the first time on Friday. This hearing comes as a pivotal moment following Cole’s arrest earlier this week in Virginia.

During the proceedings, the 30-year-old Cole was apprised of the charges against him by the judge in Washington. As the session unfolded, government prosecutors disclosed to Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya that Cole had engaged in an extensive four-hour conversation with law enforcement officials the previous day. They assured that a transcript of this interrogation would be made available to Cole’s defense attorney, John Shoreman, by the weekend.

The investigation has been fueled by surveillance footage previously released by the FBI, which captures the suspected pipe bomber navigating the vicinity of the Democratic National Committee on January 5, 2021. This footage was juxtaposed with a photograph of Cole, solidifying his identification as the suspect apprehended in Virginia.

In the courtroom, Cole appeared in a tan jumpsuit and glasses, confirming to Judge Upadhyaya his comprehension of the allegations he faces. Notably, he was not restrained during the hearing, a choice that could reflect the court’s handling of the case at this stage.

Cole was wearing a tan jumpsuit and glasses and told Judge Upadhyaya he did understand the charges against him. Cole was not shackled.

Members of Cole’s family were in the courtroom and yelled in support as he was led out, “We love you, Brian. We’re here for you, baby.”

The next step is a detention hearing on Dec. 15. Cole will remain in federal custody pending the next court proceeding. 

He was arrested Thursday. During 2019 and 2020, he purchased multiple items consistent with components that were used to manufacture the pipe bombs placed at the RNC and DNC, authorities said. 

The Department of Justice released 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)

Surveillance footage released by the FBI shows a suspect placing the two explosive devices near the buildings in Washington. The explosives found hours later by law enforcement were determined by the FBI to be “viable devices that could have been detonated, resulting in serious injury or death.”

Cole was charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and with maliciously attempting to destroy property using explosive materials, according to a criminal complaint. 

On Friday, FBI Director Kash Patel criticized the Biden administration over the handling of the case. 

The FBI arrested Brian J. Cole Jr., in the D.C. pipe bomb investigation. (Daniel Heuer/AFP via Getty Images and Department of Justice)

“This is a case that should’ve been solved by the previous administration. 5 years later, justice is finally being delivered,” he wrote on X. “It still wasn’t easy, details of which we will share more about at the appropriate time. But when you let good cops be cops, this is what happens.”

Investigators used cellphone geolocation data to track the suspect in the case, he said.