Ryan Lucas

Court papers say Cole initially denied making the pipe bombs, but later acknowledged that he both built them and placed them near the Republican and Democratic National Party headquarters.

He also allegedly told investigators that, quote, something just snapped, end quote, after the 2020 presidential election and the claims that it was stolen.

He allegedly said that if the vote was indeed stolen, then someone needed to, quote, speak up.

Cole allegedly said he didn't like the Republican or Democratic Party, but he wanted to do something to them because they were in charge.

He also denied his actions were directed at Congress.

Cole is due back in court Tuesday.

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

In his message, Dan Bongino thanked President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity to, quote, serve with purpose.

Bongino was an unusual pick for the number two job at the FBI.

He had previously served as a Secret Service agent, but never at the Bureau.

He made his name over the past decade as a pro-Trump, far-right podcaster who pushed conspiracy theories, including some involving the FBI.

His tenure at the Bureau was at times tumultuous, including a clash with Justice Department leadership over the administration's handling of the Epstein files.

But it also involved the arrest of a suspect in the case of the January 6th pipe bomber,

which had gone unsolved for nearly five years.

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

The defendants, Audrey Carroll, Zachary Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lay, face charges of conspiracy and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

The charges were announced by the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, Bill Assele.

The defendants are all radical anti-government members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front.

An FBI affidavit says the group is dedicated to liberation through decolonization and tribal sovereignty.

It says the four defendants were plotting to plant pipe bombs at businesses in the L.A.