Justice Department Responds to Brian Cole Jr.'s Claims Regarding Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Pardons
The Justice Department has responded to claims made by Brian Cole Jr., the man accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters on the eve of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The department argued against dismissing the charges, stating that Cole's actions were not covered by President Trump's pardons for Jan. 6 rioters. In court filings, the Justice Department opposed Cole's motion to dismiss the charges, emphasizing that they are not linked to the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
In March, Cole's legal team referenced statements from federal prosecutors indicating that Cole had traveled to Washington, D.C., for an election-related protest in 2020. Despite the pipe bombs being planted before the riot, Cole's attorneys claimed that Trump's pardons should apply to him. However, the Justice Department clarified that the pardon does not extend to Cole's alleged conduct, as it was not related to the events at or near the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Prosecutors highlighted that the president's proclamation specifically excluded individuals who had not been convicted or indicted for offenses related to the Jan. 6 events. Since Cole did not fall into either category on Jan. 20, 2025, the pardon did not apply to him. The Justice Department maintained that Cole's actions on Jan. 5 were not connected to the events at the Capitol on Jan. 6, as required by the proclamation.
Furthermore, the Justice Department asserted that its interpretation of the pardon's scope should be respected, as it is the Executive Branch agency responsible for administering the proclamation. Despite Trump's pardons on Inauguration Day, law enforcement had not identified, charged, or convicted Cole at that time, allowing the pipe bombs investigation to continue without interruption.
In conclusion, the Justice Department's opposition to dismissing the charges against Brian Cole Jr. is based on the argument that his actions were not covered by President Trump's pardons for Jan. 6 rioters. The department emphasized that Cole's alleged conduct on Jan. 5 was not related to the events at or near the Capitol on Jan. 6, as required by the pardon proclamation.