The FBI has arrested Brian J. Cole Jr., of Woodbridge, Virginia, in connection to the pipe bombs placed outside the Republican and Democratic national party headquarters on the eve of the January 6th Capitol attack. This arrest marks a breakthrough in an investigation that has puzzled law enforcement for years, using evidence such as credit card purchases, cellphone tower data, and license plate readers. Authorities are still investigating a possible motive and any connection the act may have had to the Capitol riot. The FBI and Justice Department stated the arrest was the result of a reinvigorated investigation, crediting a fresh analysis of already-collected evidence and data.
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Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking crimes will hold a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, October 8th, alongside bipartisan supporters of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This follows a previous press conference where allegations of Donald Trump’s close relationship with Epstein were made public. The push for the release of the files comes amidst the ongoing investigation and a petition currently deadlocked in Congress. The bill’s fate is uncertain, with Speaker Mike Johnson delaying a vote on the act.
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Nine video exhibits from the Justice Department’s case against January 6th rioter Glen Simon have vanished from a government online platform, prompting a media coalition to file a legal challenge. The missing evidence, used in Simon’s guilty plea for disorderly conduct, includes footage of him participating in the Capitol attack. The disappearance raises concerns about potential efforts to suppress evidence of the event, especially given recent pardons and personnel changes within the Department of Justice. The media coalition seeks the immediate restoration of the videos and a full explanation for their removal.
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Ryan Michael “Reily” English, a Massachusetts resident, was arrested at the U.S. Capitol with Molotov cocktails and a knife. He confessed to intending to assassinate Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, shifting his target after learning of Bessent’s Senate confirmation vote. English initially planned to target Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and/or House Speaker Mike Johnson. He faces charges of unlawful possession of firearms and carrying incendiary devices on Capitol grounds.
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All Senate Democrats co-sponsored a resolution disapproving of President Trump’s pardons for January 6th rioters who assaulted Capitol Police officers. While symbolic and lacking practical effect, the resolution condemns Trump’s action, which pardoned numerous individuals convicted of such crimes, excluding only those charged with seditious conspiracy who received commuted sentences. Republican support for the resolution was absent, with some voicing disapproval of the pardons while others, such as Vice President Vance, defended Trump’s decision. The resolution highlights the partisan divide surrounding Trump’s clemency and the ongoing debate about the January 6th events.
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President Trump pardoned over 1,000 individuals charged in the January 6th Capitol attack, including commutations for 14 far-right extremists convicted of seditious conspiracy. These pardons encompass individuals convicted of felonies such as assaulting police and property destruction. The actions have drawn criticism, including from the brother of a Capitol Police officer killed following the attack, while support remains strong among Trump’s base. Despite the pardons, the convictions and criminal records remain.
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President Trump issued roughly 1,500 pardons and 14 commutations to individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol attack, including those convicted of seditious conspiracy. This action, fulfilling a campaign promise, pardoned individuals convicted of offenses ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies such as assaulting law enforcement. The decision drew immediate criticism, described as an “outrageous insult to our justice system,” while Trump defended his actions, referring to the defendants as “hostages.” Despite the pardons, the extensive FBI investigation and resulting convictions stand as a public record of the events of January 6th.
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A man was apprehended at the Capitol Visitor Center carrying a machete and three knives while former President Carter lay in state. The arrest occurred hours before President-elect Trump’s planned visit to pay respects. The individual was taken into custody on weapons charges, with his motives currently unknown. Meanwhile, President Biden, returning from California, is scheduled to deliver a eulogy at Carter’s funeral on Thursday. Carter’s body will remain in the Capitol Rotunda until the service.
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Newly released evidence from the House Select Committee’s January 6th report and federal court documents reveals that numerous individuals involved in the Capitol attack possessed firearms and tactical gear, contradicting claims that the event was unarmed. Testimony, including that of Cassidy Hutchinson, indicates that high-ranking White House officials were aware of the presence of armed Trump supporters before the attack. The sheer number of weapons confiscated near the Capitol, along with accounts of armed individuals openly carrying weapons, underscores the potential for far greater violence. Despite this overwhelming evidence, Trump and his allies continue to propagate the false narrative of a peaceful protest, hindering accountability for the insurrection.
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Three January 6th rioters—Russell Taylor, Christopher Belliveau, and Thomas Eugene Tatum—were denied permission to attend President Biden’s inauguration. Taylor, who pleaded guilty to obstruction and cooperated with authorities, had sought permission despite his prior actions involving weapons and threats against law enforcement. Belliveau and Tatum, facing charges including assault and obstruction, were also denied due to concerns about public safety and the seriousness of their alleged offenses. Judges cited the inappropriateness of allowing individuals who participated in the attack on the Capitol to attend an event celebrating the peaceful transfer of power.
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John Q. Hosedrinker