What the government says. The FBI's sworn affidavit says one person placed both devices. That person was "observed on video surveillance footage at various locations in the surrounding neighborhood between approximately 7:34 p.m. and 8:18 p.m.," and placed the bombs at the DNC "at approximately 7:54 p.m." and at the RNC "at approximately 8:16 p.m." The FBI ties Cole to the crime through purchase records, cellphone data and a license-plate reader that it says put his car near Capitol Hill at about 7:10 p.m.[4] Prosecutors also say Cole gave investigators a "detailed confession" after his arrest.[3]
What investigators argue. On October 18, 2026, journalist Steve Baker (@SteveBakerUSA) released Capitol CCTV video that, he says, shows Cole somewhere else during that same window. In his words:
"Never-before-seen Capitol CCTV video reveals that Brian Cole Jr. could not have been the J6 pipe b*mber. He is seen walking on the northwest side of the Capitol at EXACTLY THE SAME TIME as the real suspect was distributing devices on the southeast side of the Capitol."Steve Baker on X, Oct. 18, 2026. Video work credited to @accabbat (Armitas).[5]
Supporters point to a frame time-stamped 8:01:16 p.m. and say the person in it is Cole, based on clothing details his family supplied.[6] On October 21, Rep. Thomas Massie said the video "appears to exonerate Brian Cole Jr" and asked the FBI and DOJ to review it.[7] Baron Coleman reposted both Baker's thread and Massie's letter.
Where that leaves it. The argument isn't that Cole was filmed at a different time. It's that he was filmed at the same time in a different place. As of October 26, 2026, we haven't found a public response from prosecutors or the FBI to the video, and no court has ruled on it. Who is in the footage and whether its clock is accurate are questions for the trial.