DC pipe bomb suspect claims he’s covered by Trump Jan. 6 pardon

Brian Cole Jr., accused of planting two pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national committee offices on January 5, 2021, claims he is covered by President Trump's recent clemency for Capitol riot participants. Cole's legal team filed a motion Monday arguing that the sweeping pardon Trump issued for January 6-related offenses extends to their client's alleged conduct, though they maintain Cole's innocence in the bombing case. The claim tests the boundaries of Trump's pardon authority and raises a key legal question: whether the clemency—originally intended for riot participants—applies to unrelated crimes that occurred on the same day. If successful, the motion could eliminate federal charges against Cole before trial, though prosecutors are expected to challenge whether bombings committed before the Capitol breach qualify for clemency granted to rioters. The case highlights ongoing disputes over how broadly Trump's January 6 pardons should be interpreted.