Brian Cole Jr, the 30-year-old Virginia man arrested in December for allegedly placing pipe bombs near the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national committees, now faces two additional felony counts, according to a newly released indictment.
The updated charges include attempting to use weapons of mass destruction and carrying out an act of terrorism while armed. Although the devices did not detonate, the FBI has confirmed they were functional.
Cole entered a not guilty plea to the original charges and has not yet been arraigned on the new ones. In January, a judge ordered him to remain in custody, stating that he poses an unacceptable risk to the community and that no conditions of release could ensure public safety.
Court documents reveal that Cole told investigators he believed the 2020 election was interfered with and that “someone needs to speak up”. He described his actions in detail and said “something just snapped” after “watching everything, just everything getting worse”.
Cole reportedly did not intend to target the joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021, but aimed his actions at both political parties because “they were in charge”. When asked why he chose both party headquarters, he replied, “I really don’t like either party at this point.”
