FBI Director Criticizes Pace of 2021 Capitol Pipe Bomb Investigation

FBI Director Christopher Wray has publicly questioned why a suspect in the 2021 U.S. Capitol pipe bomb case was only arrested this week. He suggested the years-long delay points to either "sheer incompetence" or "negligence." Authorities arrested 43-year-old Brian Cole Jr. in Pennsylvania on Wednesday. He faces charges related to placing two pipe bombs near the Capitol and Republican National Committee buildings on January 5, 2021. The devices did not explode. However, their discovery occurred the night before the January 6 attack on the Capitol, creating a major security scare. In a statement, Director Wray emphasized that the FBI identified Cole as a suspect in 2021. He expressed frustration that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia did not move forward with charges until now. The Department of Justice has not yet responded to the director's criticism. Prosecutors have stated their investigation into whether others assisted Cole remains active.