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Defendant Claims Trump Pardon for January 6 Bombing

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Brian Cole Jr., a defendant in a January 6 case, seeks to dismiss charges for planting pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic party headquarters on January 5, 2021, claiming President Donald Trump’s pardons cover him.
His attorneys say the acts are linked to January 6 events, despite the bombs being planted a day earlier.
The White House has dismissed the argument, saying the pardon does not cover actions before January 6.

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Story summary

Brian Cole Jr., a defendant in a January 6 case, seeks to dismiss charges for planting pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic party headquarters on January 5, 2021, claiming President Donald Trump’s pardons cover him.
His attorneys say the acts are linked to January 6 events, despite the bombs being planted a day earlier.
The White House has dismissed the argument, saying the pardon does not cover actions before January 6.