DC Pipe Bomb Suspect Arrested After Years-Long Manhunt

A 30-year-old Virginia man, Brian Cole Jr, has been arrested in connection with the pipe bombs placed outside the Republican and Democratic national committees' headquarters on the eve of the 2021 US Capitol riot. Cole is charged with using an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials. The FBI investigation, which lasted over three years, involved sifting through three million lines of data and following leads on bomb-making components and surveillance footage. The suspect allegedly bought bomb-making materials from hardware stores and was identified through mobile phone data and license plate reader footage. The arrest brings an end to a lengthy and challenging investigation, with officials praising the perseverance of FBI agents.

The article reports that Brian Cole Jr., accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee offices in Washington DC, has a father, Brian Cole Sr., who was once defended by civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Crump, known for representing the family of George Floyd, helped Cole Sr. in a racial discrimination case involving his Tennessee-based company, Free At Last Bail Bonding, in late 2021. The case was dropped after Crump joined the team. Crump's office clarified that they never represented Brian Cole Jr. and had no legal connection to him. The article highlights Crump's prominence in racial discrimination cases and his representation of other high-profile cases involving Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper was criticized for mistakenly referring to Brian Cole Jr., a black suspect accused of planting pipe bombs in Washington D.C., as a 'white man' during a live broadcast. Cole Jr. was arrested on December 4, 2025, and charged with using an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction. The incident occurred on January 5, 2021, the night before Congress certified the 2020 electoral votes. Tapper's gaffe sparked a backlash on social media, with some accusing CNN of pushing 'anti-white rhetoric' and others defending Tapper, suggesting it was an understandable mistake.

The article discusses how FIFA President Gianni Infantino has established a new 'FIFA Peace Prize' award, which is seen as an attempt to curry favor with US President Donald Trump. The prize is to be announced at an event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, a venue chosen after Infantino and Trump shared a suite at a soccer game. The relationship between Infantino and Trump has been close, with Infantino attending events unrelated to soccer and FIFA renting office space in Trump Tower. The article suggests that Infantino's actions are a violation of FIFA's code of ethics, which mandates political neutrality.