Right-wing figures attack last Jan. 6 pipe bomb prosecution as frame-up
Conservative allies of Trump claim Brian Cole Jr. is being framed for placing bombs near the RNC and DNC, but prosecutors are moving toward trial.
What to know
- Brian Cole Jr. faces the only active federal prosecution tied to January 6, charged with planting two unexploded pipe bombs near RNC and DNC headquarters the night before the attack.
- Right-wing figures and conservative allies—including Rep. Thomas Massie—are attacking the case as a frame-up, claiming "deep state" actors planted the bombs; prosecutors say the case is exempt from Trump's blanket Jan. 6 pardon because the bombs were placed before the attack.
- Former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino previously promoted the "inside job" theory on podcast but has not clarified whether his position changed after joining the FBI and helping advance the investigation that led to Cole's arrest.
- Cole has pleaded not guilty and is expected to challenge his FBI confession based on his autism diagnosis; trial is set for February 2027.
“The evidence is mounting. All of the people who took credit at the podium upon the arrest of Brian Cole Jr. are complicit, either through negligence or malfeasance.”
Rep. Thomas Massie, U.S. Representative (R-Ky.) · NBC News (social media post) ↗ · Nov 30
Brian Cole Jr. Defendant in pipe bomb case
Dan Bongino Former FBI deputy director, conservative commentator
Rep. Thomas Massie U.S. Representative (R-Ky.)U.S. Department of Justice ProsecutorTrump administration Government
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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NBC News reports right-wing push to halt Cole prosecution
NBC News reveals that right-wing conservatives and activists are working to shut down Cole's case by spreading discredited theories that "deep state" actors placed the bombs. Cole has pleaded not guilty; trial is set for February 2027.
“I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions, that's clear, and one day I will be back in that space — but that's not what I'm paid for now.”
— Dan Bongino, Former FBI deputy director · source -
first by NBC News, 15h ago
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but have no issue with pardoning violent Capitol rioters. Or electing a literal 34x convicted felon frauster.
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
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Agreed. Shut it down. Then resume when there aren't treasonous lunatics running this country
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Bongino leaves FBI — Bongino departed the FBI in January 2026 without directly addressing whether his "inside job" theory had changed.
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Rep. Massie accuses officials of conspiracy — Rep. Thomas Massie posted that officials including Pam Bondi, Jeanine Pirro, Kash Patel, and Bongino were "complicit" in a conspiracy to frame Cole and obscure the "actual perpetrator."
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Brian Cole Jr. arrested for pipe bomb placement — Cole, who believed the 2020 election was stolen, was arrested almost five years after the unexploded devices were placed. The FBI said he confessed after arrest, though his legal team noted his autism diagnosis and plans to challenge the confession.
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Bongino becomes FBI deputy director — Bongino, who held the "inside job" theory, took a position as FBI deputy director and pushed the stalled investigation forward.
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Dan Bongino promotes 'inside job' theory on podcast — Then-commentator Dan Bongino said he had "zero doubt" the bombs were planted by the "deep state" as an inside job to make the Capitol attack appear more violent.
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Two pipe bombs placed near RNC and DNC — Unexploded devices were planted the night before the January 6 Capitol attack near the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters.