Superseding indictment charges Brian Cole with eight counts

A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Brian Cole with eight counts, doubling the number of counts against him by separating the charges for devices found outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters. The new indictment divides the existing charge types by device rather than adding a new type of offense, according to court documents and reports. Cole has pleaded not guilty. He is accused of planting the devices in Washington on January 5, 2021, the night before the Capitol riot. The devices were found the next day and did not detonate, according to court filings described in the reports. The indictment lists charges involving interstate transportation of explosives, attempted malicious use of explosives, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, and an act of terrorism while armed. Each charge is now brought separately in connection with the device found near the RNC and the device found near the DNC. The superseding indictment came as Cole’s lawyers sought to prevent prosecutors from using statements he made during an FBI interview on December 4, 2025. The defense has asked U.S.