Suspect Arrested in Pipe Bomb Case Linked to January 6 Incident
A suspect has been arrested in connection with two pipe bombs discovered outside the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic National Committees on January 5, the eve of the January 6 Capitol incident. The arrest concludes a multi-year investigation that included a $500,000 reward for information.
Incident Details
The pipe bombs were placed on the night of January 5, 2021, and found as individuals began to gather near the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Law enforcement successfully deactivated both devices, preventing any explosions.
Investigation and Arrest
The arrest was confirmed on Thursday by two sources familiar with the case, speaking to CBS News. The suspect is expected to face charges in a Washington D.C. federal court. Official statements regarding the suspect's identity or the details leading to the arrest have not yet been released.
Earlier in the investigation, the FBI released CCTV footage showing an individual with a backpack and a light grey hooded sweater placing a device near a bench outside the Democratic National Committee building, then proceeding to place a second device. The FBI reported that the devices contained pipes, wires, kitchen timers, and homemade black powder. A report obtained by CBS News indicated the bombs utilized a 60-minute kitchen timer for detonation, but did not explode for reasons currently unknown.
Context: January 6 Capitol Event
The discovery of the pipe bombs coincided with events surrounding the certification of the 2020 presidential election results in the U.S. Capitol, where Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump was to be affirmed. Prior to the Capitol breach, then-President Trump addressed a large gathering near the White House, encouraging supporters to march to the Capitol while reiterating unverified claims of voter fraud.
The crowd, estimated between 2,000 and 2,500 people, included members of groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, with some individuals observed carrying weapons. Hundreds subsequently entered the Capitol building, leading to law enforcement requiring approximately four hours to restore order.
Post-Event Actions
Following the January 6 events, Donald Trump, after taking office for his second term earlier this year, issued pardons or commutations for over 1,500 individuals charged or convicted in relation to the riot. He also directed the U.S. Department of Justice to discontinue pending cases against other suspects. Trump referred to those accused and convicted as "the hostages," stating their lives had been "destroyed," and described the actions against them as "outrageous" and "rarely been anything like it in the history of our country."