Arrested! Investigation Into D C  Pipe Bomber “Has Only Just Begun”

Bongino: Investigation Into D C  Pipe Bomber “Has Only Just Begun”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former Secret Service agent and current FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino appeared on Hannity this week, revealing new details about the long-running federal investigation into the pipe bombs planted near the Republican National Committee (RNC) and Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters on January 5–6, 2021. According to Bongino, the case—largely thought to have gone cold—has now entered a new phase, with investigators continuing to uncover information even after identifying a suspect.

During the interview, Bongino emphasized that previous FBI leadership “did not prioritize” the case, despite thousands of interviews and tips already on record. The renewed focus came, he said, immediately after he and FBI Director Kash Patel took leadership roles.

“The Investigation Has Just Begun”

Bongino told host Sean Hannity that one of his first actions as deputy director was demanding a full briefing on the pipe bomber case the moment he was sworn in.

“My first meeting… I said, when I get in there, I want a full brief on this Pipe Bomber case on day one,”
Bongino said, noting that he told the case agent: “You’re going to get me this guy.”

The renewed push led to nearly nine months of intensified investigative work that ultimately produced a suspect, identified publicly as Brian Cole, whom the New York Post reported may have had anarchist leanings.

But Bongino stressed repeatedly: identifying the suspect is only the beginning.

“This is chapter one of a 10–20 chapter book,” 
“This investigation is not over at all. The investigation has just begun.”

He revealed that federal agents have interviewed the suspect “at length,” and that authorities are still processing a large volume of digital evidence, financial records, and legal documents.

A Team Effort: “You Cannot Do Anything in the FBI Without DOJ”

Throughout the interview, Bongino credited the Department of Justice for its role in accelerating the case once new leadership took over. He highlighted the involvement of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, and others.

“Don’t just throw the ‘team effort’ cliché out there,” Bongino said. “I mean it. They really did a great job.”

He also praised the Washington field office and its assistant director for pursuing the case relentlessly, calling him an “absolute manhunter.”

On Motive: Too Early to Say

When asked whether investigators believe ideology played a role—specifically whether the suspect held anti-police, anti-ICE, or anti-government views—Bongino declined to specify.

“It would be very early for me to get ahead of that,”
he said, noting that evidence will surface “as legal process starts to come out.”

He did acknowledge the obvious motive:

“The motive was to drop a couple bombs that could have killed people.”

Still, he cautioned that determining the suspect’s ideology would take more time and evidence.

Bongino Suggests Previous FBI Leadership “Weaponized” Bureau

A significant portion of the interview focused not on the suspect, but on what Bongino described as serious problems inside the FBI prior to the current administration.

He accused former leadership of:

• Targeting political opponents

• Damaging public trust

• Neglecting major national security threats

• Mishandling or deprioritizing key investigations

Bongino said reviewing internal documents—including materials related to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation—left him “horrified.”

“What these people in prior administrations did to this country… I hesitate to think where we’d be right now with a different president in charge,”
he said.
“We may not have a republic.”

President’s Role: “Go Get Him, Boys”

Bongino credited the president for insisting the case be solved and refusing to let it stall.

“This president absolutely hates crime,” Bongino said.
“He told us early… ‘You go get him.’ A weaker leader would have walked away.”

According to Bongino, the president pushed aggressively for progress in the case, even as past leadership deemed it stale.

Looking Ahead: More Revelations Expected

Bongino made clear that the public should prepare for additional details to emerge soon as warrants, subpoenas, and other legal filings become public.

“You may see some more stuff tomorrow,”
he said.
“We are pretty comfortable we have our guy… but the investigation is guided by facts, and there’s more work to do.”

Hannity closed the interview by noting that the American public—as well as many inside law enforcement—will be watching closely as new phases of the investigation unfold.