<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Department of Justice reindicted accused pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole Jr., increasing the number of felony counts against him after his lawyers released a transcript of an FBI interview in which he confessed to planting two devices outside the national party headquarters before January 6, 2021.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment on Wednesday, charging Cole separately for each bomb. The previous four-count indictment grouped the devices found outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters together under each charge. The new indictment was anticipated, and Cole appeared in court on Thursday for his arraignment, according to a court calendar.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The new four-page indictment did not introduce a different type of offense but separated each existing charge—interstate transportation of explosives, attempted malicious use of explosives, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, and an act of terrorism while armed—into distinct counts related to the RNC and DNC devices.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cole, 30, has pleaded not guilty. Neither device detonated after prosecutors say he planted them on January 5, 2021. Both were discovered the following day.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The superseding indictment followed a request from Cole’s lawyers to U.S. District Judge Amir Ali to suppress statements made during a December 4, 2025, FBI interview. The defense argued that agents coerced Cole, who has autism, by telling him his denials were illegal and threatening to involve his family in questioning.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">About three hours into the interview, an agent presented Cole with a surveillance image and asked, “So, this individual is you?”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Yes,” Cole replied, according to the 161-page transcript.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">After the agents left and returned, Cole agreed to continue the conversation and provided additional details.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I don’t know how many times I wanted to turn myself in,” Cole stated. When asked why he did not, he responded, “I’d just be scared.” Despite his admissions, Cole has maintained his innocence.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The case also involves a dispute regarding Cole’s defense team. Prosecutors have expressed concerns that Cole should receive independent legal advice because his attorney, John Ross Glover, also represents former Blaze Media reporter Steve Baker in a defamation case brought by former U.S. Capitol Police officer Shauni Kerkhoff.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cole’s lawyers have also suggested Kerkhoff as an alternative suspect, while Baker is accused of falsely identifying her as the bomber. The defense argued in a response that the positions are “mutually reinforcing” and present “no risk” of impaired representation.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Prosecutors have described this overlap as “precisely the problem,” arguing that it is unclear whether the strategy reflects Cole’s interests alone or also benefits Glover’s other client.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The judge has not yet ruled on either dispute.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Read the full 161-page interview with Cole below:</p>
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