Virginia Man Seeks Dismissal of Pre-Jan. 6 Bomb Case via Trump Pardon

A Virginia man charged with planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot has asked a federal judge to dismiss the case, claiming it falls under President Donald Trump's broad pardon for participants in that day's events.

Brian J. Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, faces federal charges of transporting explosives across state lines and attempting to destroy property with an explosive device. His attorneys filed the motion on Monday in U.S. District Court before Judge Amir Ali, arguing that Cole's alleged actions on January 5, 2021, are "inextricably and demonstrably tethered" to the riot at the Capitol the following day. They contend that the government's own description of the case links the timing and motive to the political unrest surrounding the 2020 election certification, placing it within the scope of Trump's clemency.

Prosecutors allege that Cole assembled bomb-making materials over several months before traveling to the capital. On the night of January 5, he placed two viable devices near the party headquarters on Capitol Hill, according to court filings....