A federal trial for Brian Cole Jr., the Virginia man accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee (RNC and DNC) headquarters on the eve of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, is scheduled to begin on February 16, 2027. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali set the trial date during a hearing on Wednesday, with jury selection expected to start the week of February 15. The trial is anticipated to last approximately two weeks.
Cole, 30, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense team argued that President Donald Trump’s mass pardon for Jan. 6 defendants should apply to him, but Judge Ali rejected this claim in a ruling on Monday. Ali, appointed by President Joe Biden, concluded that the pardon was limited to individuals who had already been convicted of offenses related to the Jan. 6 events. Cole was not charged until months after Trump’s pardon was issued.
The defense also argued that Trump’s directive to the attorney general to seek dismissal of pending Jan. 6-related indictments should apply to Cole, but the judge dismissed this argument as well. Zachary Lawson, one of Cole’s attorneys, stated that defense attorneys and prosecutors have not discussed a potential plea deal.
The case centers on Cole’s alleged actions on January 5, 2021, when pipe bombs were discovered near the RNC and DNC headquarters. The bombs were defused, and no injuries were reported. Cole’s trial will proceed without the benefit of the pardon, as the judge ruled that his case does not fall under its scope.