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Federal authorities have arrested a Virginia man linked to the pipe bombs left outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters on the night of Jan. 5, 2021 — devices discovered the following afternoon as the Capitol came under assault. The arrest, confirmed by multiple law enforcement sources including CNN, marks a major turning point in a case that has challenged investigators for nearly five years.

The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. of Woodbridge, Virginia. He was taken into custody Thursday morning and charged with transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials, according to charging documents filed Thursday afternoon. Attorney General Pam Bondi credited investigators and prosecutors for “sifting through evidence that had been sitting at the FBI,” adding that “this investigation is ongoing. As we speak, search warrants are being executed, and there could be more charges to come.”

The bombs — constructed from short galvanized pipes packed with homemade black powder, wires, metal clips, and fitted with kitchen timers — were placed outside both party headquarters roughly 15 hours before they were found. Investigators have long warned the devices were fully capable of causing “serious injury or death.” Their discovery prompted a swift police response just minutes before rioters began overwhelming security lines at the U.S. Capitol.

Surveillance footage released over the years showed a hooded figure in a mask and Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers with a yellow logo. Investigators noted what appeared to be an unusual or pronounced gait, but the lack of clearer identifiers hampered progress even after more than 1,000 interviews, a review of tens of thousands of video files, and more than 600 public tips. At times, the FBI could not even determine the suspect’s gender. The reward for information eventually climbed to $500,000.

The bomb at the DNC was discovered after former Vice President Kamala Harris had arrived at the building. A Homeland Security inspector general’s report later revealed that Harris entered via a ramp within 20 feet of the device and remained inside for about 1 hour and 40 minutes before it was found and she was evacuated. The bomb’s placement was roughly nine feet from the building’s exterior wall.

The extended mystery caused some political commentators claimed the lack of an arrest suggested deliberate concealment, including assertions that “there is a massive cover-up” or that the incident was “an inside job.” The theories persisted even after the FBI publicly debunked claims that the bombs had been planted by a former Capitol Police officer.

Despite the challenges, federal investigators continued to treat the case as a priority. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, who had previously amplified theories about the incident before joining the bureau, said in May that the investigation had received “additional resources and investigative attention,” with weekly briefings and renewed analytical reviews of earlier work.

Political leaders responded to Thursday’s arrest with relief. DNC Chair Ken Martin said, “We are grateful to the law enforcement officers who have dedicated years to investigating the pipe bombs… Those responsible for this horrific act must be brought to justice.” Former prosecutors involved in Jan. 6-related cases echoed that sentiment, calling the arrest a testament to the persistence of career FBI agents and federal attorneys.

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President Donald Trump’s name has been added to the sign on the United States Institute of Peace headquarters in downtown D.C., above the existing building name.

Workers early Wednesday affixed large silver letters reading “Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace” to the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the U.S. Institute of Peace, a move that formalizes President Donald Trump’s decision to rename the organization after himself, while attempting to dismantle it.

The State Department’s X account shared a photo of the new facade on Wednesday in a post that called Trump “the greatest dealmaker in our nation’s history,“ an apparent reference to his work to end multiple conflicts around the world. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X about the name change that “President Trump will be remembered by history as the President of Peace. It’s time our State Department display that.”

Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for Trump, confirmed the new name to multiple outlets, describing the original institute as “a bloated, useless entity that blew $50 million per year while delivering no peace.” She said the updated title is “beautifully and aptly named after a president who ended eight wars in less than a year” and claimed the building will now serve as a reminder of what, in her words, strong leadership can achieve for global security.

The rebranding caps months of turmoil inside the institution. Earlier this year, the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency—led by former adviser Elon Musk—swept out the non-profit’s president, nearly all employees, and most members of its 12-seat board. Although Congress established the USIP in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan to promote conflict resolution and support peacebuilding, its fate has been uncertain since the takeover.

Legal uncertainty continues to surround the institute. A federal judge ruled in May that the mass personnel overhaul was “effectuated by illegally installed leaders who lacked legal authority to take these actions, which must therefore be declared null and void.” However, Judge Beryl Howell declined to issue an order halting the administration’s control, noting the organization’s unusual status as a congressionally created but independently operated body. In June, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit paused a lower-court ruling that had blocked the administration from dismantling the USIP during ongoing litigation. The panel wrote that “The President faces irreparable harm from not being able to fully exercise his executive powers,” and suggested the government may ultimately succeed in arguing that the institute’s structure is unconstitutional because of its board’s removal protections. A full hearing on the issue has since been delayed, and the building has been moved under the control of the General Services Administration.

Former staff and board members remain sharply critical, with their attorney, George Foote, stating that the name change “adds insult to injury,” stressing that a judge has already deemed the takeover unlawful—even if that ruling is on hold during appeal. Foote said: “The rightful owners will ultimately prevail and will restore the U.S. Institute of Peace and the building to their statutory purposes.”

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Federal immigration authorities have launched a sweeping enforcement push in New Orleans and Minneapolis, broadening the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown in cities with policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration officials.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Wednesday that the New Orleans operation—officially named “Catahoula Crunch”—is aimed at locating immigrants who were released after arrests for violent offenses, including home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto and rape.  According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the initiative targets “violent criminals” and accused local “sanctuary” policies of keeping federal agents from taking custody of people they believe should have been detained.

Officials have not disclosed how many agents are being sent, though earlier planning documents indicated DHS sought to deploy around 200 Border Patrol personnel and requested armored vehicles. Two U.S. officials confirmed the agency has asked the Defense Department for permission to use Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans as a staging site. The FBI’s New Orleans office said it will work with Louisiana State Police to help protect deployed immigration agents and prevent interference with their enforcement activities.

New Orleans is one of several Democratic-led cities to see similar federal deployments; the administration has already carried out operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Charlotte. Despite the stated focus on “the worst of the worst,” past sweeps have drawn scrutiny. In Chicago, for example, Justice Department records show that out of more than 600 people detained during a previous blitz, only 16 had prior criminal convictions.

Local officials and community groups in New Orleans expressed concern about the scale and impact of the operation. Mayor-elect Helena Moreno said she had reviewed reports of due-process issues in other cities and created a tool for residents to report questionable encounters with agents. “My first priority is to keep our community safe,” she said, noting the need to ensure residents know their rights.

In Minneapolis, federal officials also began a crackdown. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News that ICE agents are not specifically targeting Somali immigrants, though some may be arrested if authorities allege immigration violations.  The administration has paused immigration applications from 19 countries, including Somalia.

With federal agents now active in New Orleans and Minneapolis, the administration’s immigration campaign continues to expand well beyond the U.S.–Mexico border, intensifying tensions in cities where local officials and community advocates remain wary of federal overreach.

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President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will grant a full pardon to Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Cuellar’s wife, Imelda, wiping away the federal bribery and money-laundering case filed against them last year.

Trump revealed the decision on Truth Social, accusing Democrats of targeting the couple for political reasons and claiming they sought to “attack, rob, lie, cheat, destroy, and decimate anyone who dares to oppose their Far Left Agenda.  Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda,” later telling the congressman, “Henry, I don’t know you, but you can sleep well tonight — Your nightmare is finally over!”

Trump’s announcement included a letter written by the Cuellars’ daughters, Christina and Catherine, who urged the president to show mercy, saying they “believe that our father’s independence and honesty may have contributed to how this case began.” They referenced Trump’s own legal battles, writing that they prayed for him because “behind the headlines, there are real people who hurt, who love, and who still hope for better days.”

Cuellar expressed gratitude in a post on X, thanking the president “for his tremendous leadership and for taking the time to look at the facts. I thank God for standing with my family and I during this difficult time” adding that the pardon “gives us a clean slate” and allows him to return his focus to serving South Texas: “The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on. Thank you Mr. President, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.”

The allegations against Cuellar spanned 2014 to 2021, and two political operatives connected to him — former campaign manager Mina Colin Strother and associate Florencio “Lencho” Rendon — pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors.

The pardon follows a lengthy case in which federal prosecutors accused the Cuellars of accepting at least $598,000 in bribes from two foreign entities — an oil and gas company tied to the Azerbaijani government and a Mexican bank — and laundering the payments through shell companies linked to Imelda Cuellar. Prosecutors alleged the payments were routed through sham consulting contracts and that Imelda “performed little or no legitimate work” for the money. The indictment claimed the congressman agreed “to use the power and prestige of his office to advance” the interests of Azerbaijan and the foreign bank, including influencing legislation, adding favorable report language, and delivering a House floor speech.

The coupe pleaded not guilty, with a judge dismissing two charges last August, though a trial had been scheduled for next year. In September, a federal judge rejected an effort to dismiss the indictment under the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause.

Cuellar, first elected in 2005, stepped aside from his appropriations leadership post after being charged. He has won reelection repeatedly, though his South Texas district grew slightly more Republican after mid-decade redistricting. As of this week, he has not yet filed for reelection despite signaling plans to run before Monday’s deadline.

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