FBI Transfers Jan. 5 Capitol Bombing Case After Lack Of Leads

In a significant development regarding the January 5th pipe bombing incident at the U.S. Capitol complex, federal authorities have transferred the investigation to local investigators after previously struggling to identify suspects despite abundant evidence.

Steven Sund, the former head of the US Capitol Police following the January 6th events, has voiced concerns about previous handling of the case by the FBI leadership under then-Attorney General William Barr. Speaking on Friday from his current position as a security consultant and author, Sund stated that while the recent arrest demonstrates substantial progress in solving the case, it highlights questions surrounding how evidence collection was managed initially.

According to charging documents filed Thursday afternoon, Brian Cole Jr., 30 years old, has been arrested and charged with charges including transporting an explosive device and attempting malicious destruction of property using explosives. The suspect is expected to face further charges related to the bombing incident at the US Capitol building which occurred just before the January 6th events.

Sund emphasized that this investigation was not a “cold case,” despite some media framing it as such. He noted that court proceedings so far have failed to shed much light on what drove Cole, who is said to be communicating with someone during the time of planting the bombs, and questions remain about his political motives or potential accomplices.

Cole reportedly was in contact via phone multiple times before the bombing occurred, raising key questions from investigators.