Brian Cole Demands Charges Dropped Using Trump Jan. 6 Pardon Claim

A Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect is now trying to use Donald Trump’s sweeping pardons to wipe out his case and federal prosecutors are pushing back.

Brian Cole Jr., charged with planting explosive devices near party headquarters in Washington, D.C., filed a motion arguing his actions were tied to the Capitol riot and should be covered under Trump’s clemency, according to the Associated Press.

The filing claims his conduct was “inextricably tethered” to Jan. 6, even though the bombs were placed the night before.

But officials say that timing could be the key problem.

According to The Daily Beast, the White House and prosecutors argue the pardon only applies to events on Jan. 6 itself — not actions carried out on Jan. 5.

The case now raises a broader legal question about how far presidential pardons can stretch, especially when applied to related but separate acts.

Cole remains in custody as the court decides whether the argument holds.

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