A federal judge has ruled that the individual charged with placing pipe bombs outside the headquarters of both the Republican and Democratic national committees in Washington, D.C., must remain in custody until his trial. This decision was made on Friday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh emphasized that Brian Cole, like all defendants, maintains his presumption of innocence. However, the judge determined that the potential threat to community safety outweighs this presumption.

“The Court finds that the prosecution has met its burden to prove there are no release conditions that would ensure the community’s safety,” Judge Sharbaugh stated in his decision.

He further elaborated, “While acknowledging the serious responsibility to ensure that each case justifies such exceptional measures, the specifics of this case, after thorough evaluation, warrant this decision.”

The FBI conducted searches at the residence of Brian Cole Jr. on Thursday. Cole is suspected of placing the pipe bombs near key locations within the Capitol complex, specifically targeting the RNC and DNC, on January 5, 2021.

Federal prosecutors argued that Cole should be held because he presents a danger to the community, pointing to purchases of bomb-making materials through at least August 2022.

Defense attorneys said there was no evidence that Cole would pose a danger going forward, noting that he has not done anything to harm the community in the last five years, Fox 5 D.C. reported.

Surveillance footage released by the FBI shows the suspected D.C. pipe bomber walking near the DNC on Jan. 5, 2021, alongside a photo of accused suspect Brian Cole Jr., who was ordered held while awaiting trial.  (Department of Justice)

Undetonated homemade bombs were discovered on Jan. 6, 2021, though prosecutors said Cole denied that 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 Republican National Committee (RNC) and Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters.

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.

Cole was arrested in Virginia after investigators identified him as the suspect accused of placing pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol complex and outside the RNC and DNC headquarters on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.

The bombs did not detonate. Cole was arrested in December 2025.