Alleged Capitol Hill pipe bomber argues charges should be tossed out under Trump pardons - CBS News

A defendant accused of placing pipe bombs near the Capitol is seeking to have charges dismissed, arguing that President Trump's recent pardons extend to his case. The defendant's motion capitalizes on Trump's wave of pardons issued since taking office in January 2025, which have created legal ambiguity around which January 6-related charges might be covered. The Capitol pipe bomb case has remained unsolved for years, making this legal argument a potential turning point if the court finds the pardon language applies broadly enough. The outcome will likely influence how other Capitol-related defendants interpret the scope of Trump's pardon authority and test the limits of executive clemency in cases tied to that day. Federal judges will now determine whether the pardon language encompasses the specific allegations against this defendant.